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).

07 – Arrival

We’re Finally there…

We’d crossed the (controversial) causeway to the parking area. Mont St Michel towered above us, and only then I noticed that to a person everyone on the coach was already up, out of their seats - eager to alight and begin their exploration of the site.  Slowly the coach took its parking place alongside two others already there. This was apparently to be a quiet day!!!! The excursion offered an initial guided tour around the hallowed buildings and historic areas (in English and French) followed by the promise of three hours of free time to wander at will through the streets and shops of the small town – and for those a little more adventurous a chance to go down to the shore and, tide permitting get a three hundred and sixty degree perspective of the Mount from the there. I hoped to do it all.

On the journey, punctuated by our stopover at Carrouges with its own story, our guide Segolene had already explained much of the remarkable history of the Mount. Now it was time for that history to come to life.  Before us lay our point of entry, the Overhang Gate identifiable by the large oak beam built into the masonry of the, flanking walls of the Burghers’ Guardhouse - now home to the tourist office. There was not much new material I could gather here – I’d done my preparations well. Built about a century after the other two inner gates the Forward Gate (Porte de l’Avancée) is the first encountered of the three portals designed to strengthen the town and abbey fortifications against attack. The guardroom was originally manned by people of the Bourgeoisie (local townsfolk) who stood as an advance guard to the Royal militia stationed at the later gates and along the parapets.

And in we went .....