We drove to Le Mont Saint Michel and parked on the mainland. The Passeurs (shuttle bus) took us the few minutes across the causeway. The walk up to the Abbey was fairly strenuous so Ed stayed below with Polly and watched all the other tourists streaming past. I went on into the Abbey and did the tour. Amazing place with an incredible history. The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) made it necessary to protect the island and with that protection, it was able to withstand a siege of almost 30 years.

During the French Revolution, the monks had to abandon the abbey when it became a state prison and 14,000 prisoners passed through this “Bastille of the Seas”. The tides and the quicksand made escape impossible.

“Around us, everywhere as far as the eye can see, infinite space, the blue horizon of the sea, the clouds, the green horizon of the earth, the clouds, the air, the freedom, the birds flying on all wings….. and then, suddenly, there, in a crest of an old wall, above our heads, through a barred window, the pale figure of a prisoner. Never have I felt more keenly than here the cruel antithesis that man sometimes makes with nature” VICTOR HUGO letter to the poet Louise Bertin 27 June 1836 from Mont Michel.

In 1863 the prison was closed and the building was restored and a road dyke was built in 1879 to transport the growing number of tourists. The Abbey is now flooded with tourists for most of the year. Apparently you can visit around 6am and knock on the huge doors. You will be allowed entrance by one of the nuns and may attend mass. Then you can take a tour on your own. Perhaps this would be the best time to visit!

After 25 sets of steps I was glad to get back to our villa and enjoy another good meal in Dol de Bretagne at L’eviche restaurant.

Tomorrow we head to La Rochelle, leaving the lovely villa and our hostess Veronique. A tres bientôt!