Le Mont Saint Michel Saint-Malo
Excursion to Mont Saint Michel.
A visit to the island, the abbey, restaurants, and the local market where you
can buy local specialties!
A visit to the fortress town
of San - Little tasting of fresh oysters.
Lunch at a restaurant in San Michel!
Mont Saint-Michel (Le Mont
Saint-Michel) - fortified granite island skain-Michel (Saint-Michel). Great
Hugo called this island "pyramid in the ocean," although a few
centuries ago Mont Saint Michel was part of the mainland. The rich history of
this place had a different meaning for the peoples who lived nearby. For
example, during the reign of the Roman Empire, this mountain was called Tombs
(probably the Celts used it as a burial place), and the Druids worshiped the
sun here.
Gore became an island after
subsidence in in V., The land gradually washed out and already in the VI
century to the mountain can be reached only by boat. After that was built a dam
(1,800 km), which connects the Mont Saint Michel to the mainland. But the boat
is still the only means of communication with the island during high tides,
which reach a height of 9 m, and at low tide you certainly will pass on dry
land dry-shod.
In this peaceful and secluded
island of monks built a small chapel, and remained its only inhabitants of up
to 708 Then, according to legend, Aubert, bishop Avranshskomu (later St.
Aubert), appeared in a dream, and the archangel Michael commanded to erect a
chapel on the hill, separated from land with water at high tide like an island.
Since Aubert, doubting whether he interpreted the vision did not do anything,
then the angel came back and repeated orders. Only after the third phenomenon,
when the messenger of God was forced to knock him on the head with the finger,
Ober began to build on a rocky island. Doubters can make for yourself: on the
preserved skull of St. Auber there is a noticeable dent. Archangel Michael
appeared again to indicate the source of fresh water. The island was given a
new name - Mont Saint-Michel (Mount St. Michael). He soon became a place of
pilgrimage, and in 966 on top of it was built by a Benedictine monastery, which
became home to 50 monks.
On those times today resembles
the ancient crypt, called "Notre Dame under the ground." Construction
of the monastery church, today crowning the top of the cliff, was launched in
1020 Because of the difficulties associated with the construction on these
cliffs, the work was completed only after a hundred years. Despite some
modifications, this structure to our days mostly retained its Romanesque
appearance with his characteristic rounded arches, thick walls and massive
vaults.
In the days of Napoleon
Island, renamed Liberty Island, became a state prison, nicknamed
"provincial Bastille." And only in 1863 it was declared a national
treasure, and after a thorough restoration was already open for tourists.
Ascent of Mont Saint-Michel begins at the Royal Gate. From them inland is the
only street Grand Rue (Grande Rue) with tiny, almost toy houses XV-XVI centuries.
Clung tightly to each other on both sides of the street. Grand-Rue rests on the
broad stairway, with steep stairs, rushing up. In the Grevin Museum (Grevin)
tells the history of the monastery, with the help of Wax recreated scenes from
the life of former times. Another series of historical events presented in the
"Archéoscope" and the Maritime Museum.
Saint-Malo
In half an hour from San
Michel is the town of Saint-Malo Here begins the famous Emerald Coast of
France. Rugged coast: it rocky, the beach and yacht, really emerald sea ... For
those childhood adventures attracted buccaneers and sea space, St Malo seem
lively illustration of adventure books. It is from these intrepid adventurers
went to conquer the Atlantic, America ... Using the patronage of the king, they
are attached to France several Pacific Islands, which still serve its overseas
possessions. Laden ships moored up to the top in the Bay of Saint Malo, and the
sailors turned themselves on the banks of the pirates in exemplary bourgeois,
erecting for themselves solid and elegant home.
One of the striking features
of Saint-Malo is a unity of style. There is not and has never been a division
between the slums and the center. Corsair wealth initially allowed to build
stone houses, demonstrating the wealth and prosperity. And today, strolling
along the wide wall for centuries to protect the city, one can imagine the life
of sea adventurers enjoying life here after long absences. The city rebuilt
after World War 2 the way it was when you and you find yourself in a completely
different time...
Strolling along the walls, you
will understand why many French people prefer Côte d'Emeraude: a combination of
some gentle beaches, the powerful rocks and emerald sea glittering in the sun
are already doing this comparison is possible. And if you add the numerous
small rocky islands, scattered here and there on the sea, and some of them the
fortress, it is appropriate illustrations of the tale, you'll love Brittany
once and for all. But that's not all: these emerald waves, between the islands
and fortresses scattered colorful sailboats - all sea dotted with them, as if
in front of you skillfully embroidered carpet...
