Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
Discover one of the wonders of medieval architecture.
The Great Figures of Mont Saint-Michel
Extracts from the book "Les Carnets de cuisine de La Mère Poulard au Mont Saint-Michel depuis 1888". Author: Eric Vannier.
"Three great figures have marked the Mount's history and symbolize its essential values of spirituality, courage and hospitality.
St Michael the Archangel
Spirituality is symbolized by the archangel St. Michael, who appeared to Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and commanded him to build a sanctuary to the glory of God at the top of this rocky islet, beaten by the highest tides in the world. On the third appearance of the archangel, Aubert complied and built the first oratory to the glory of God, also dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael. The great abbot-builders, including Robert de Thorigny, and the thousands of journeymen - stonemasons, masons, carpenters, joiners and ironworkers - who followed in their footsteps for over a thousand years, were inspired by this celestial apparition to raise the wonder of the West ever higher into the heavens.
The knight Bertrand Du Guesclin
Courage is symbolized by the knight Bertrand Du Guesclin, who distinguished himself in the 14th century as captain of Pontorson and Mont-Saint-Michel. He took part in the War of Succession in Brittany, then in the first Castilian Civil War.
His organizational and command skills propelled him from captain to constable of the armies of the kingdom of France in 1370, and it was under his command that Normandy, Guyenne, Saintonge and Poitou were liberated from English control. Bertrand Du Guesclin, a native of Brittany, lived with his wife Tiphaine de Raguenel in a beautiful residence on Mont-Saint-Michel, one of the safest and best-protected strongholds in the French kingdom in these dangerous times. While he distinguished himself by his bravery on the battlefield, his wife, a famous medieval astrologer, read the world's destiny in the stars and predicted the outcome of his battles for her husband. Years later, the knight would inspire the one hundred and nineteen knights who defended Mont-Saint-Michel against the English armies.
Hospitality is symbolized by Annette Poulard , who best represents the tradition of hospitality of the innkeepers of Mont-Saint-Michel, who have been serving pilgrims for almost a thousand years. The innkeepers provided walkers with food, lodging and comfort after the long journeys that took them to the Mont from the remotest corners of France and Europe.
La Mère Poulard devoted her life to preparing meals for pilgrims, visitors and the most famous of her time. She became a respected and beloved French chef. During her long career - almost forty years behind the stove - she developed numerous recipes, including the famous omelette, which she cooked over the flames of her large fireplace. Her talents, kindness, natural generosity and legendary hospitality have made her a symbol of French culinary tradition."
Eric Vannier - March 2018
During your stay at Mont Saint-Michel , discover the history of these illustrious figures, by visiting the Abbey which sits enthroned on the rock, the Chevalier Dugesclin museum and, to top it all off, take a well-deserved break at the Auberge La Mère Poulard to savor the culinary specialties initiated by Annette Poulard and jealously guarded by successive chefs.