Mont Saint Michel

What an experience!
This is the one thing that comes to mind from our travels.

When we found out that we were only going to be a little over an hour away,

our want to go turned into a need to go quickly.

We already had a FULL day, but thought that it was doable.

That morning we caught a train from Paris to Caen and from Caen we rented a car.

It was very easy to do and fairly cheap considering that it was going to be used for just the day and we were going to be driving all over the place.

Eurocars staff were pretty rude, but in the end we did get our car and they spoke decent English.

I would recommend that you do try to speak French as they may be nicer in this area.

The car was very nice a Fiat 500 plus navigation.

I would highly suggest getting the navigation and getting the car early since the setup is very different.

We figured out how to use it after about 15 minutes and then we were on our way.

Our fist stop was talked about awhile back in the "Life Changing" blog.

Take a look at it if you would like to know what we did!

A hint....D-Day was the focus of the morning.

The second part of the part of the trip was to drive to Mont Saint Michel, which was about two hours away.

Mostly a highway drive and then some back roads at the end.

However, we didn't expect to get a detour or run into cows on the road, but it made the experience more exciting!

Make sure that you do go by the speed limit since the roads are narrow and you don't know what you will run into.

The ride was decent with a little bit of rain that we hoped would stop before we got to Mont Saint Michel and traffic was light.
If you are planning on going go on a weekday.
Not many people are there and it is easy to get around.

After getting onto a small back road we hoped that we were going in the right direction since there were't many signs for it.
We decided to just keep going and then BAM out of nowhere there it was across a field.
Cows, sheep, hay, and cornfields made this place look like Hogwarts from Harry Potter.
It was stunningly beautiful and by the time we parked our car I had taken almost 100 pictures.
The size, the beauty, and almost no people around made the sites of it any photographers dream.

There are a few ways that you could get to Mont Saint Michel.
The first is that you could walk.
It is about a two mile walk, but there views are spectacular and there is food along the way with some shops.
The second is to take a horse drawn carriage.
This cost extra money and it takes a little longer to get there.
The third was is what we did and that was take the free train ride over.
It was quick and easy.  About a five minute ride.

If you walk you will have more than enough time to take all of the pictures you want from any angle.
If you ride the carriage make sure you sit in the right spot or you will get a butt in your picture.
If you take the train sit in the very front on the left side and you will be able to take some good pictures with minimal glare.
Both the carriage and the train let you out at about 200 yards from where you enter so you can get some pictures from here too.

Depending on what time of year you go there may or may not be water surrounding it.
When we went there was not water and you could see people out in the mud walking and taking pictures.
There are a few tours that will take you out and walk around in the mud to get different views of the Abbey and the town below; you will also get a history lesson.
The tours do cost extra, but if you have the time and want a different view go for it!
However, DO NOT do it alone or without a guide.
The mud can turn to quicksand without you knowing it.
Stay safe and be smart.
The last thing you want to do is be put into a situation where things can go from fun to done in a split second.

We decided to just go into the village and look around then make our way to the Abbey.
The streets are very narrow and all stone.
You walk mostly up hill and curve around without even knowing it.

Make sure you take some side walkways too.
These proved to have some of the best views, no crowds, and local finds.
There was a cemetery that had some of the oldest, but still stunning headstones.
If you don't take the side alleys you will miss it.
Along the way we started to notice that each door was a different color, texture, and size.
This makes this place even more special.

As you work your way up the paths, hills, and turn you will reach the Abbey.
It does cost to get in and it closes at 4:30 so make sure to get there before that time or you won't be going in.  Even thought he entrance closes at 4:30 you can still be in the Abbey.

I have talked about stairs before and about how much I loathe stairs...well it doesn't get any better here, but the stairs are beautiful with the dim lights and windows that are all over.

Everywhere you look has small details telling a story of what the walls have seen over time.

The gardens growing and being taken care of by the monks and the locals.

Mont Saint Michel has not always been just an Abbey, but at one point it was a jail.

You are most likely thinking that I made this up, but I'm not.

As much as I wish that this place would just be a quite place where worship took place it was not the case.

The jail was put into place when there were no monks around.

This quickly changed and the jail was closed and Mont Saint Michel became a national monument in 1874.

Not only did the walls see the jail, but it also was part of the Hundreds Year War and was not conquered.

A small garrison had fended off a full attack by the English in 1433.

The advantage that Mont Saint Michel has is that it is surrounded by water.

The views from the Abbey are beautiful.

From the very top of Mont Saint Michel and inside the Abbey you can get views like the above photos.

The bridge in the second picture shows how it is connected Mont Saint Michel to land.

This project cost over 209 million euros and was built in 2014.

The bridge allows people to visit at anytime even when the water is at high tide.

When the village and Abbey was built there were layers placed for a reason.

Looking down from the very top of the Abbey you will be able to see the structure.

Great Halls, stores and housing, then right behind the walls are houses for the fisherman and farmers.

Inside the Abbey itself are many staircases, windows, chapels, and rooms.

All of these have their own purpose and the size of some are massive while others can fit a person or two.

Some of the locations people are not aloud to go into, but I tried to sneak a few pictures of those.

All around this beautiful place is something to see.

I can't stop thinking about just sitting in one of the rooms and praying.

You feel such peace here. Not just in one area, but all over.

Take the time to sit, pray, and look at what history this place holds in it's walls.

Climb the stairs and make sure to get a a few hours before they close so you can have it to yourself.

The pictures have almost no one in them since everyone was leaving for the day.

Some of the rooms do have a no talking sign, so please make sure to follow the rules.

Once you are done, it is time to start the walk back down the hill.

Take your time so you don't fall.

Take the train, carriage, or walk your way back.

On the way out you will take the card that you get when you parked your car.

Take that ticket to where the restrooms are and you will pay your parking fee there.

You can use debit, credit, and cash.

I recommend cash, but you do what you wish.

When you get back to your car to leave you will be able to put the ticket in and leave.

This place is really something to see.

If you are going to be in France at all you need to make the trip to see it.

Tips:

Wear good shoes.

Take your time.

Go during the week.

Don't forget to validate your ticket.

Go to the bathroom before you leave to get to the Abbey and after you get back.

Here are some random pictures that I feel must be shared with the world.