Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay

Before it became Mont Saint-Michel, the famous granite rock was called Mont Tombe, probably because it was shaped like a Roman tumulus or tomb. Historical sources indicate that the first buildings on the islet date back to the 6th century. Construction of the Mont began in 708. According to legend, during the reign of King Childebert III (695-711), thearchangel Michael appeared in a dream to Aubert, bishop of Avranches, ordering him to build a sanctuary in his honor. But it took three apparitions of the Archangel Michael to convince Saint Aubert. At the third apparition, Michel did not hesitate to leave his finger mark on Aubert’s forehead, even perforating his skull, as can be seen in the Basilica of Saint-Gervais in Avranches, where it is displayed. Aubert realized that this was no dream! He had a divine mission to accomplish: to build an oratory in honor of Saint-Michel. From then on, the rock became known as Mont-Saint-Michel-au-péril-de-la-Mer. Despite the islet’s location, the shifting sands and threatening tides that surround it, pilgrims soon flock to this new spiritual site, where a dozen canons officiate. The surrounding population also sought refuge from Viking raids. A village grew up on the rock and the church expanded. From 966 onwards, Richard I of Normandy (943-996) established a permanent community of Benedictine monks – who remained on the Mont until 2001. The abbey church was built on the rock’s summit in 1023. Over the centuries, the abbey, on the borders of the Duchy of Normandy, had to fortify itself. During the Hundred Years’ War, the royal army even moved in to prevent an English invasion. At the same time, the abbey expanded, and its famous ” marvel ” (the Gothic monastic living quarters) was built in the first half of the 13th century. The construction of the abbey, which continued from the 11th to the 16th century, was a technical and artistic tour de force, adapting to a very difficult natural site. Abandoned for a time – and even partly transformed into a state prison – the monument was restored at the end of the 19th century.t was restored at the end of the 19th century, with the addition of a spire raising the summit to 157.10 metres. Sources: Géo, Le Monde, Le Journal du Dimanche, Culturez-vous