Legends of Mont Saint-Michel Island

Besides its beauty, this place is remarkable for its many legends and mysteries. According to a manuscript from the 10th century, in the year 708, the Archangel Michael appeared in a dream to Bishop Aubert of the nearby town of Avranches and instructed him to build a church on the cliff in his honor. The bishop initially ignored the dream. Then on the following night, the archangel appeared to him again. On the third occasion, the archangel pierced the bishop's skull with his finger. Aubert finally understood the seriousness of the message and built a chapel in honor of the appearance of Archangel Michael. The bishop's skull with the hole from Michael's finger is still preserved in the local museum to this day.

Program

• Our excursion will start near the neolithic monument - a huge menhir, located not far from the island-monastery. This stone block, 12 meters high and weighing around 120 tons, dating back to the 4th - 5th millennium BCE, remains a mystery to scientists. You will learn about the Celtic pagan cults that lived in this area before the arrival of the Franks. A similar Druid altar was located deep in the rock of Mont Saint-Michel Island, where pagan rituals with human sacrifices were performed.
• When we reach the monastery itself, we will cross a new light bridge connecting the island to the mainland, and find ourselves in front of the main royal gates. From here begins the only street of the village, located at the foot of the cliff. Here you will find souvenir shops and restaurants.
• We will climb the steep Grand Degré staircase to the abbey gates and enter the Hall of Offerings. From here, we will begin our ascent through the internal rooms of the monastery, learning about its architectural features and history. We will also be able to see the monastery's oldest church - Notre-Dame-sous-Terre (10th century).
• Then we will pass through the Crypt of Thick Columns and reach the Ossuary, where a monastery cemetery was established in the 12th century. Gradually, we will reach the main Abbey church, which began construction in the early 11th century - a beautiful example of soaring Gothic architecture.
• From the cathedral, we will enter the Cloister Garden, located between heaven and earth - an ideal place for contemplation of the divine. It is believed that prayers read here will be heard by God faster. Here, you will feel the flow of time and the spirit of Mont Saint-Michel, rightfully considered the national spirit of France.