09 – Behold

A tower

Mont St Michel has turrets …. and towers … and then it has TOWERS. That the word has both noun and verb forms in English is convenient, for indeed the many towers of the fortifications, and the Marvel do just that, above the visitor. My first encounter with an outlook tower occurred setting out on the walk from the Burghers Guardhouse at the entrance up towards the lower streets of the town nestled at the foot of the abbey at the summit.

Around the lower ramparts of the citadel are a number of these smaller fortified turrets, and they are quite imposing. Built of granite rock typical of the stone used in construction on the Mount, you will notice the long embrasures or arrow loops first used by archers in mediaeval times and later by artillery soldiers. These turrets were part of the lower defence system of the island.

As I had found in Paris, my visit to the mount was going to be one filled with the most amazing photo opportunities. Thank goodness this time for digital technology. I only hoped my batteries would last throughout the day. (They did).