Le Mont-Saint-Michel (English: Saint Michael's Mount) is a famous island town in Normandy, France. It is located in the Manche department, about one kilometer from the northwestern coast. This special place is at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches.

The island is about 247 acres in size. In 2009, only 44 people lived there! People who live in Mont-Saint-Michel are called Montois.

Mont-Saint-Michel has been a strong fortress since ancient times. Its name comes from a monastery built there in the eighth century AD. The way the town is built shows how society worked long ago. At the very top, there is the church, representing God. Below it are the abbey and monastery buildings. Then come the great halls, stores, and houses. At the bottom, outside the walls, are the homes of fishermen and farmers.

Mont-Saint-Michel is one of France's most famous places to visit. The island and its bay are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. This means they are very important for the world's history and culture. More than 3 million people visit it every year!

Geography of Mont-Saint-Michel
History of Mont-Saint-Michel
Administration
Population
Twin Towns and Historical Links
Historic Buildings
Mont-Saint-Michel in Popular Culture
Images for kids
See also

Geography of Mont-Saint-Michel

How the Island Was Formed

Long, long ago, in prehistoric times, Mont-Saint-Michel was on dry land. Over many years, the sea levels rose, and the ocean slowly wore away the land around it. Some layers of strong rock, like granite, came to the surface in the bay. These rocks were tougher than others and did not wear away as easily.

These tough rocks formed small islands, including Mont Tombe, which later became Mont-Saint-Michel. The mount is about 960 meters around and reaches 92 meters (301 feet) above sea level at its highest point.

Amazing Tides

The difference between high tide and low tide around Mont-Saint-Michel is huge, about 14 meters! In the Middle Ages, pilgrims (people on a religious journey) who crossed the flat land sometimes called the mount "St. Michael in peril of the sea." This was because it could be very dangerous to walk across the sands when the tide came in quickly.

Even today, it can still be dangerous for visitors who try to walk across the sands without using the main path. It's much safer to use the causeway.

The land around the mount has been changed over time to create salt marsh meadows. These fields are perfect for sheep. The meat from these sheep, called agneau de pré-salé (salt meadow lamb), is a famous local food. You can often find it on menus in restaurants nearby.

Becoming an Island Again

Low tide in 2005

Mont-Saint-Michel used to be connected to the mainland by a path that was covered by water at high tide. This connection changed over the centuries. In 1879, this tidal path was changed into a raised, dry causeway. This stopped the tide from cleaning the silt (mud and sand) around the mount. This caused the bay to fill up with silt.

To fix this, in 2006, the French government announced a big project. They planned to build a dam using the waters of the Couesnon River and the tides. This dam helps remove the silt and make Mont-Saint-Michel an island again!

The dam was finished in 2013. The old causeway and its parking lot were also removed. Now, the main parking area is on the mainland, about two kilometers from the island. A new bridge lets water flow freely around the island, helping the dam work better. Visitors can walk or use small shuttle buses to get to the island.

History of Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel was an important stronghold (a strong, protected place) in the sixth and seventh centuries. In the seventh century, the Franks took control of the mount.

Before the eighth century, the island was called Mont Tombe (meaning "tomb mount"). The Catholic Church built the first religious building there in the eighth century. After that, it became known as Mont-Saint-Michel.

The Legend of Archangel Michael

According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared in the year 708 to St. Aubert, who was the bishop of Avranches. The angel told him to build a church on the mount. Bishop Aubert didn't listen at first. So, the Archangel Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger! After that, Aubert quickly started building the church.

Battles and Changes

Inside the walls of Mont-Saint-Michel.

For a short time, the mount belonged to the Bretons. But in 933, William I, Duke of Normandy took control of the area. This officially made Mont-Saint-Michel part of Normandy. This event is even shown in the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

Norman dukes helped pay for the development of the abbey over the next few centuries. It became a great example of Norman architecture.

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay *
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Country	France
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, iii, vi
Reference	80
Region **	Europe
Inscription history
Inscription	1979 (3rd Session)
Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO

In 1067, the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel supported William the Conqueror in his claim to the throne of England. As a reward, he gave them land and properties in England. One of these was a small island off the coast of Cornwall, which was modeled after Mont-Saint-Michel and became St Michael's Mount.

The Hundred Years' War

During the Hundred Years' War, the English army attacked the island many times. But they could never capture it because the abbey's defenses were so strong. The English attacked in 1423-4 and again in 1433-4. They even left behind two large cannons, called les Michelettes, which you can still see today. The strong resistance at Mont-Saint-Michel gave hope to the French, especially to Joan of Arc.

Cannons left by Thomas Scalles at Mont-Saint-Michel on 17 June 1434. Currently (June 2013), only the second cannon, the one closer to the wall, is shown. It is inside the entrance to the mount's outer wall.

From Abbey to Prison

Over time, the abbey became less popular as a place for pilgrims. By the time of the French Revolution, there were almost no monks living there. The new French government closed the abbey and turned it into a prison. At first, it held religious enemies of the government. Later, important political prisoners were also kept there.

In 1836, famous people like Victor Hugo started a campaign to restore the mount. The prison closed in 1863, and Mont-Saint-Michel became a historic monument in 1874. In 1979, Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay became UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This was because of their important culture, history, architecture, and natural beauty.

Abbey Design and Building

Plan of the mount

In the 11th century, Richard II, Duke of Normandy chose an Italian architect named William de Volpiano to build the abbey. He designed the Romanesque-style church. He built many crypts (underground rooms) and chapels below ground to support the very heavy buildings above.

Later, Robert de Thorigny made the buildings even stronger and built the main front part of the church. In 1204, an army attacked the mount and set fire to the village. The fire spread to the abbey buildings. The King of France was upset by the damage and gave money to build new, Gothic-style parts, like the dining room and cloister.

Charles VI of France added large defenses to the abbey-mount, including towers and courtyards, and made the walls stronger.

How the Mount Developed Over Time

10th century
11th to 12th century
17th to 18th century
19th to 20th century

Administration

The cloister

Mont-Saint-Michel is a small town (commune) in the French department of Manche. About 50 people live there. The closest large town with a train station is Pontorson. Mont-Saint-Michel is part of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

There's a fun, traditional rivalry between people from Normandy and Brittany about where the border is. Bretons say the Couesnon River marks the limit, and since the river has changed course, the mount should be on their side! But the locals say the border is actually on the mainland, about 4 km to the west.

Population

{{Demography |title= Population count |withoutdoublecount =1962 |1793= 234 |1800= 234 |1806= 282 |1821= 904 |1831= 390 |1836= 385 |1841= 1082 |1846= 1100 |1851= 1182 |1856= 1153 |1861= 1056 |1866= 203 |1872= 193 |1876= 184 |1881= 209 |1886= 211 |1891= 199 |1896= 230 |1901= 235 |1906= 238 |1911= 232 |1921= 230 |1926= 247 |1931= 250 |1936= 231 |1946= 186 |1954= 268 |1962= 132 |1968= 105 |1975= 114 |1982= 80 |1990= 72 |1999= 46 |2006= 41 |2009= 44 |source=
Since 2004, for communes under 10000 inhabitants, census counts are every 5 years. They take place in years ending in 1 and 6 for this city. Other counts are from annual population surveys. |source= EHESS and Insee{{,} }} Up to 20,000 people can visit Mont-Saint-Michel in a single day during July and August! Among the 43 people living there in 2006, 5 were monks and 7 were nuns.

Twin Towns and Historical Links

Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan. This city is home to the Itsukushima Shrine, which is also an island temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just like Mont-Saint-Michel.

Mont-Saint-Michel also has old connections with St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, UK. In the 11th century, it was given to the monks of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Historic Buildings

There are 61 buildings in Mont-Saint-Michel that are listed as "monuments historiques" (historic monuments). They have been added to this special list since 1928.

Mont-Saint-Michel in Popular Culture

Statue of Archangel Michael atop the spire

The French composer Claude Debussy visited the island. He might have been inspired by the legend of the mythical city of Ys and Mont-Saint-Michel's cathedral for his piano piece La Cathedrale Engloutie.
In 2003, Mont-Saint-Michel was the inspiration for the design of Minas Tirith in the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
A version of Renaissance Mont-Saint-Michel is a playable map in the video games Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010) and Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011) by Ubisoft Montreal.
In 2013, Mont-Saint-Michel was the finish line for stage 11 of the Tour de France bicycle race.

Images for kids

The Mont Saint-Michel in 2014 with the new bridge
Bayeux Tapestry scenes 16 and 17: William and Harold at Mont Saint-Michel (at top centre); Harold rescuing knights from quicksand

Mont Saint-Michel facts for kids

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