Upon my first sighting of Mont St-Michel, I thought I was still looking at a postcard.

It is believed that Aubert, Bishop of d’Avranches founded a sanctuary on Mont-Tombe after three successive appearances by the Archangel Michael. Consecrated in 709, the church has attracted both the curious and pilgrim from all over the world ever since.

After having been made into a prison from the time of the French Revolution up until the time of the Second Empire, the Abbey became the responsibility of the Historical Monuments Department in 1874. Since 1969 the Abbey has been home to a monastic community, ensuring the continuation of a spiritual presence.

The different stages of its construction have created a unique architectural ensemble which was classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979.

Time to reflect …

View out to the Bay.

The spring tides in the Bay have the highest range in Europe: the rising tide advances as a wave over 50 cm high, covering a distance of over 15 miles at the speed of a galloping horse.

The entrance to the Abbey is a narrow path and constantly filled with tourists.

If you’re tired at the end of the day having visited the Museums within the Abbey, you can take the Maringote back to the departure point. (This is a paid service.)

Pontorson is situated in the Manche (Normandy region) in the north of France and is 285 km from Paris and Mont St-Michel can be easily reached from this small but delightful town.

Pontorson’s café and restaurant scene is lively and vibrant – even if October is considered an off season.

Easy to just walk around and admire centuries-old buildings.

For all my cat loving frieds out there, Le Chat Perch

Best Western Montgomery was an exceptional choice for accommodation – filled with charm and character.

Very quiet and lovely to walk around the area, however I’d imagine during Summer Pontorson would swell exponentially with tourists and hotels filled.

As part of the new reception services at Mont-Saint-Michel, a direct shuttle bus runs between Pontorson railway station and Mont-Saint-Michel (3.10 Euro each way per adult). It terminates at the arrival platform of the shuttles linking the mainland to the Mount, approximately 390m from the ramparts. The shuttle’s timetable is coordinated with that of SNCF trains stopping at Pontorson railway station.

The nearest railway station to Mont-Saint-Michel is Pontorson, which is accessible via the following train lines:
• TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Rennes or Dol de Bretagne, then coach from Rennes – Mont-Saint-Michel or Dol de Bretagne – Mont-Saint-Michel.
• Train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Caen, then a TER regional train from Caen to Pontorson, then the Pontorson – Le Mont shuttle (see below).
• Train from Paris Montparnasse to Granville, change at Folligny for Pontorson, then the Pontorson – Le Mont shuttle