As part of our Brittany tour, we also went to Mont Saint-Michel. Technically, Mont Saint-Michel is in Normandy, but it is very close to the Brittany region so it was easy to combine with St. Malo and Dinan. Mont Saint-Michel is not so much an island as it is a rock outcropping. As it is a tidal island, for most of its existence it could only be reached during low tide when the water receded enough to make it accessible. For centuries, it has been home to a monastery and abbey. A permanent causeway was constructed in 1879 so Mont Saint-Michel is not so much an island anymore and continual access is possible. However, at high tide, it's mostly surrounded by water. The tides can vary by as much as 30 feet between high and low tides.
Although it certainly has its share of kitsch and shops catering to tourists who flock to it by the thousands, the monastery is still an impressive site and architectural marvel. It's hard to believe that such a building could be constructed in what you would think is a relatively inhospitable environment. It was a great end to our day of touring in the French countryside.
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| Mont Saint-Michel |
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