Le Mont Saint Michel and Mont Dol

Known as Mont Tombe, from the Roman name Tumba, Le Mont St Michel is a granite outcrop, a tidal island, that was formed 525 million years ago. The first community was formed by an Irish Hermit. But it was the Bishop of Avranches (Saint Aubert) who built the first church on Le Mont in 709. It came under the control of the Bretons in 867, but William Longsword, annexed it in 933. Over the centuries the church became the beautiful Gothic monument that is seen today, with eventually the Gold Archangel at the summit. It, along with Mont Dol plays an important part on the Bayeux tapestry and it was one of the turning points in the 100 years war. This tour takes us through the spectacular regions of Normandy and Brittany, separated largely by the Couesnon river, this has been a disputed boundary for hundreds of years between the rival dukes. We can climb the narrow, medieval street to the abbey and descend by the ramparts, having lunch either on le mont in one of the many restaurants in the nearby villages.

We Arrive at Le Mont in the main car park and I leave you to take the shuttle bus to the base of Le Mont st Michel. You will be transported back a thousand years in time, with the timber framed houses and stone block narrow street that climbs the mount. You pass many sights on our way, the dungeon prisons, naval museum and 11th century church of St Pierre with Joan of arc at the entrance. There are many restaurants also. As you clear the inhabited area, you climb up towards the famous fortified abbey and eventually arrive at the entrance. An Abbey tour takes around 45 minutes and is a delight of architectural and historical splendour, from the huge supporting pillars to the delicate limestone carvings in the cloisters and abbatial. You can descend by the outer ramparts with the spectacular views of the bay and surrounding coastline, visible are the historical towns of Avranches and Granville, home to Christian Dior, Mont Dol and Channel Islands. We can spend the rest of the day visiting local interests.