Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel and Bayeux Town, France
A day tour from Bayeux Town to Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Mont Saint-Michel: Grande Rue, 50170 Le Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Bayeux: Rue du Bienvenu, 14400 Bayeux, France
Date Picture Taken: April, 2024
It was a long drive from Bayeux Town to Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel. It took about 2 to 2.5 hours by the tour van, providing us with approximately four hours to thoroughly explore the Abbey.
When we arrived at the parking lot, we had two choices: walking to the Abbey or taking the shuttle. The guide recommended walking in and taking the shuttle when returning.
So, I decided to walk to the Abbey
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is a historic and architectural marvel located on the island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France.
The abbey’s history dates back to 708 AD when Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, founded a sanctuary on Mont-Tombe, dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
Over the centuries, it developed into a major Benedictine monastery, particularly during the 10th to 13th centuries. It became a renowned center of learning and pilgrimage.
The abbey’s location made it strategically important, particularly during the Hundred Years’ War. Its fortifications helped it resist English attacks.
The abbey blends Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, with construction spanning several centuries.
ey structures include the Abbey Church, the cloister, refectory, and the Merveille (the Marvel), which is a series of buildings that include the cloisters and the refectory.
The Merveille: This part of the abbey, built in the 13th century, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and includes the Salle des Chevaliers (Knights’ Hall) and the cloisters.
The entrance gate
Throughout its history, Mont-Saint-Michel has been an important pilgrimage site dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.
Inside the gate
There is only one way to ascend and descend. The narrow street, at ground level and on the way up, is lined with many restaurants and gift shops.
My back side
My back side
A little courtyard before climbing up to the chapel
My back side
There are steep stairs leading to the chapel, and another path leads to the side of the chapel. I will revisit this area later and take the left path. For now, I ascended the steep stairs to the chapel on the right path.
My back side
My back side again
My back side
Finally, I reached the top
I walked into the church and went outside through another door to see the rear side of the church
The rear side of the chapel
I went inside the church
The front side
The back side
It is a medium sized church
The couryard
The tourists follow a one-way path to the ground through passages and the rooms of the church buildings.
What is impressive is that there are many large rooms in the monastery.
A photo exhibition on another large room
The path leads to the outside briefly
but into the building again
Kept walking through the path
Another large room, and I felt that I was near the ground at this time.
Exiting through the gift shop
We are out to the ground area
My back side
Looked back at the church
Then kept walking down
The little court yard
And kept walking down to the little court yard
At this time, I took the middle way
My back side
The monastery’s side buildings
I turned around at this point because it seemed there would be not much more to it.
Came back to the courtyard and walked further down to the restaurant and gift shop area.
Looked at the church again
Kept walked down
Out from the church/monatery complex and looked back at the gate
It tooka another two and half hours to come back to Bayeux Town.
The view of Bayeux Town
Bayeux Cathedral
The side entrance to the church
The front courtyard of the church
