Mont St-Michel is a tiny island just off the French coast where Brittany and Normandy meet. The abbey, topping the island, and the surrounding walled, medieval town, seem surreal as they pop into view. Mont St-Michel is a very popular tourist destination, as evidenced by the enormous parking lot, the regular shuttle buses that take you to the gates of the town, and the modern hotels, restaurants, and shops that you pass on your way from the parking lot to the gates. Fortunately, Rick Steves' tours visit Mont St-Michel opposite to the flow of tourists, arriving late in the afternoon, spending the night on the island, and touring the abbey and other sights before the throngs of tourists arrive the next morning.
The few places that offer lodging are small, so our group was spread out over several buildings. They all offered spectacular views of the island and surrounding area. To go anywhere, you must be prepared to climb. A lot. There is a reason defibrillators are found on nearly every path. However, the results are worth the effort. I will let the photographs speak for themselves.
We did enjoy one of the better group meals together featuring some of the famous local lamb and fresh seafood drawn from the surrounding English Channel. Our restaurant looked out over the water as one of the fastest moving tides in the world came flowing in--an impressive display of nature's might.
The few places that offer lodging are small, so our group was spread out over several buildings. They all offered spectacular views of the island and surrounding area. To go anywhere, you must be prepared to climb. A lot. There is a reason defibrillators are found on nearly every path. However, the results are worth the effort. I will let the photographs speak for themselves.
We did enjoy one of the better group meals together featuring some of the famous local lamb and fresh seafood drawn from the surrounding English Channel. Our restaurant looked out over the water as one of the fastest moving tides in the world came flowing in--an impressive display of nature's might.