Mont-St-Michel is one of France's great treasures. The site of an oratory or abbey since the early Eighth Century, it grew progressively until it reached its glory in the Seventeenth Century. The French Revolution resulted in its demise and dilapidation. It became a prison in 1811, and restoration work began in the 1870s.
The mystic attached to this site may have to do with several factors. It is a fortified citadel that was never conquered. The construction is splendid with all of the elements piled on top of each other rather than spread out in the traditional abbey layout. This construction alone is a remarkable engineering feat by itself. Finally, the tides marking the time of day and the progress of the year in very much a different drummer's beat bring many here.
Usually, one arrives at Mont-St-Michel when coming from the south or east. Since we lived far north of here, we approached it with many different glimpses beginning far away. This made it a very special day indeed.