MOUNT SAI
Mount Saint Michel is an island commune in Normandy, France. It is locate approximately one km (0.6 m) off the country’s northwestern coast, at ta big mouth of the Couesnon River near the big Avranches. 100 hectares (247 acres) in size, the island.
The islandhas held strategic fortifications since ancient times, and since the eighth century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name . The structural composition of the town exem plifies the feudal society that of constucted it. On top God, the ab bey and monastery, below this the Great halls, then stores and housing, and at the bottom, outside the walls,
INT MICHEL
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ishermen and farme housing. Its unique positi on of an island only 600 metres from land made it readily accessible on low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey. Equally, this position made i
readily defensible as an incom tide stranded, or drowned, wouldbe assailants. By capitalising on this natural defence, the Mont remained unconquered during the Hundred Years’ War with a small garrison successfully defending it against a full attack by the English in 1433. ts unique positi on of an island only 600 m from land made it accessible
ADMINISTATION The islet belongs to the French commune of MontSaint-Michel, in the dĂŠpartement of Manche, in Basse-Normandie. Population (1999): 50. The nearest major town, with an SNCF train station, is Pontorson. Mont Saint-Michel belongs to the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
Bretons claim that since the Couesnon River marks the traditional boundary between Normandy and Brittany, it is only because the river has altered its course over the centuries that the mount is on the Norman side of the border. This legend amuses the area’s inhabitants the border is not.
Mont Saint-Michel has also been the subject of traditional, but nowadays good-humoured, rivalry be-
on the Couesnon river itself but on the mainland, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the west, at the foot.
ABBEY DESIGN In the 11th century, William de Volpiano, the Italian architect who had built the Abbey of FĂŠcamp in Normandy, was chosen by Richard II of Normandy to be the building contractor. He designed the Romanesque church of the abbey.
daringly placing the transept crossing at the top of the mount. Many underground crypts and chapels had to be built to compensate for this weight; these formed. The Italian architect who had built the Abbey of FĂŠcamp by Richard II.
In the 11th century, William de Volpiano, the Italian architect. Who had built the Abbey of FĂŠcamp in Normandy, was chosen by Richard II of Normandy to be the building contractor.
In the 11th century, William de Volpiano, the Italian architect who had built the Abbey.
ART Now a rocky tidal island, in prehistoric times the Mont was on dry land. As sea levels rose, erosion reshaped the coastal landscape, and several outcroppings of granite or granulite emerged in the bay, having resisted the wear and tear of the ocean better than the surrounding rocks.
Now a rocky tidal island, in prehistoriMont Saint.-Michel. The Mont has a circumference of about 960 meters and is 92 metres (301 feet) above sea level at its highest point The tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres (46 ft) between high and low water marks. Popularly nicknamed “St. Michael in
These included Lillemer, the Mont-Dol, peril of the sea� by medieval pilgrims makTombelaine (the island just to the north), ing their way across the flats, the mount and Mont Tombe, later called Mont Saint.- can still pose dangers for visitors who avoid.
HISTORY Now a rocky tidal island, in prehistoric times the Mont was on dry land. As sea levels rose, erosion reshaped the coastal landscape, and several outcroppings of granite or granulite emerged in the bay, having resisted the wear and tear of the ocean better than the surrounding rocks. These included Lillemer, the Mont-Dol, Tombelaine (the island just to the north), and Mont Tombe, later called Mont Saint.-Michel. The Mont has a circumference of about 960 meters and is 92 metres (301 feet) above sea level at its highest point. The tides can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres (46 ft) between high and low water marks. Popularly nicknamed “St. Michael in peril of the sea� by medieval pilgrims making their way across the flats, the mount can still pose dangers for visitors who avoid the causeway and attempt the hazardous walk across the sands from the neighbouring coast nt