Mont Saint Michel - 3 & 4 September

Woke to drizzle which developed into rain & cold but today we were driving so not too bad.

First stop Bayeux where we visited the famous 70 metre long tapestry. The story behind the tapestry (William the Conqueror taking the English throne) was cleverly described through an audio guide. Much more interesting than I had expected. Then visited the Museum of the Battle of Normandie which was again an excellent museum describing the battles leading up to D Day with many behind the scenes pictures of the horrors of war. Confronting but well worth the visit.

Bayeux

Then back into the car and off to Mont St Michel which appeared through heavy mist across the maize fields - quite a site. Our room is hidden up a narrow stone staircase just beside the Parish Church.

Mont St Michel in mist

Our hotel room door

What a unique & stunning place! A magnificent Abbey & small commune built on a 100 hectare rock in the middle of the tidal mud flats. The Abbey was first built in the 11th century but suffered many changes of hands, though the English failed to conquer it in the 100 years war. Fires & collapses of sections required multiple repairs, so the current Abbey is a mix of styles (mainly gothic & romanesque). The commune is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone lanes & stone stairways.

We took two guided tours - one through the Abbey & one out onto the mud flats. The guides were full of interesting facts mixed with humour (though the second tour was in french so harder to follow). The Mont only becomes an island at very high tides but the mud flats are dotted with areas of quicksand (part of the reason it was difficult to attack during war times). The quicksand is quite disconcerting - we sort of jogged on the spot & slowly sank into the mud!!

Our guide in quicksand

We both enjoyed a local specialty, leg of lamb, for dinner. Quite different to lamb at home, but very tasty. Then went onto the connecting bridge to see the island & Abbey floodlit – spectacular.

Mont St Michel

At night