Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
Discover one of the wonders of medieval architecture.
Visit the ramparts and village of Mont Saint-Michel
The ramparts surrounding Mont-Saint-Michel, built between the 12th and 14th centuries to protect the village, which in turn protected the abbey, are a remarkable example of medieval military defensive architecture. Comprising curtain walls flanked by semicircular towers and a bastioned tower, the ramparts are located mainly to the south and east of the rock.
During the Hundred Years' War, the fortress withstood all the assaults of a siege that lasted some thirty years, pitting the 119 knights who defended Mont-Saint-Michel and their garrison of 400 men against an English army of thousands. This magnificent victory contributed to the renown of Mont-Saint-Michel, which became the symbol of French resistance and national identity.
The 15th century saw the construction of the parapet walk, the King's Gate and the Bourgeois guardhouse at the entrance to the village. The Fanils enclosure dates from the 16th century. In the 17th century, on the orders of King Louis XIV, the military architect Vauban completed the defensive system with the majestic Tour Boucle.
The village
The village of Mont-Saint-Michel, cradle of the abbey since the 10th century and located below, was built to welcome pilgrims. By the 14th century, it had already extended to the foot of the sheltered behind the ramparts. The town's entire population was dedicated to welcoming innkeepers, tavern-keepers and sellers of sinkers in the shape of the bay's seashells, which travelers took home as a souvenir of their visit to the wonder of the West. There were also the bay's fishermen and the peasants who farmed the land around Mont-Saint-Michel. Today, the village has two lives: that of the locals - inhabitants, religious, farmers... - and that of the many pilgrims and visitors (some two and a half million each year). every year). The town's distinctive architecture features half-timbered houses and timber-covered facades.
Eric Vannier - March 2018
Don't forget to stop off at one of the stores at the end of your walk La Mère Poulard to buy Annette Poulard's famous butter cookies.