The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel

entrance to the abbey on famous island

most visited destination in France

beautiful church in abbey

inside the church

inside the monastery

Saint-Michel

inside the monastery

inside the monastery

statue of Saint-Michel
In the beginning of the 8th century, according to legend, Archangel Saint Michael instructed the bishop of Avranches to build an abbey on Mont Saint-Michel. The Benedictine monks settled on the rock in 966 and over the next centuries the abbey was extended.

During the French Revolution Mont Saint-Michel was used as a prison but was closed by Napoleon and returned to the pilgrims before the end of the 19th century.

The abbey is open every day except the 1st of january, the 1st of may and the 25th of december.


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In the beginning of the 8th century, according to legend, Archangel Saint Michael instructed the bishop of Avranches to bui...

Mont Saint-Michel

beautiful island in Normandy


UNESCO World Heritage Site in Normandy


village on small island in normandy


steep and narrow cobbled street


walls on island and restaurant


view from dried out sea on island


beautiful island with monastery on top

Mont Saint-Michel is an island in the Lower Normandy region and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in France. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway build in 1879. According to the legend, Archangel Saint-Michael instructed the bishop of Avranches to build an abbey at the top of the rocky island.

At the bottom of Mont-St-Michel is a small village, this was build in the Middle Ages at the same time as the abbey was developping. The walk to the top is on a steep and narrow cobblestone street through this village.

Mont Saint-Michel was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.


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Mont Saint-Michel is an island in the Lower Normandy region and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in France...

Caen

Caen is the capital of the Lower Normandy region of France. It was William the Conqurer’s favourite city and where he married his cousin Matilda of Flanders. The city is located 238km northwest of Paris.

View from Chateau Ducal View on the Saint-Pierre Church from Château Ducal.


Maison des QuatransMaison des Quatrans opposite Château Ducal.


Rue EcuyereView on Rue Ecuyère.


Postal MuseumPostal Museum in the Rue Saint-Pierre.


Bertrand du GuesclinStatue of Bertrand du Guesclin at Place Saint-Martin.


St. Etienne ChurchThe old St. Etienne Church close to the Abbaye aux Hommes


Leroy Tower The Leroy Tower, close to the Saint-Pierre Church.



Caen is the capital of the Lower Normandy region of France. It was William the Conqurer’s favourite city and where he married his cousin Mat...

Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine ArtsThe Museum of Fine Arts in Caen is located in Château Ducal. The museum has a collection of paintings from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century.

View location in Caen, France

The Museum of Fine Arts in Caen is located in Château Ducal . The museum has a collection of paintings from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th ce...

The Saint-Pierre Church

front of the Saint-Pierre Church

inside the church

back of Saint-Pierre ChurchThe Saint-Pierre Church in Caen is situated in the centre of the city opposite Château Ducal. It was build in the beginning of the 13th century in Gothic style. The church was restored after the war when it got damaged, including the beautiful spire on the 75m high tower.

The Saint-Pierre Church in Caen is situated in the centre of the city opposite Château Ducal . It was build in the beginning of the 13t...

Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen

Abbaye aux HommesThe Abbaye aux Hommes is situated in the French city of Caen. It is a former abbey church that was dedicated to Saint Etienne. It was founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 as penance for marrying Matilda of Flanders against the Pope's ruling. On the left of the abbey you can see the town hall of Caen that is build against it.

The Abbaye aux Hommes is situated in the French city of Caen. It is a former abbey church that was dedicated to Saint Etienne. It was founde...

Château Ducal in Caen

Château Ducal

Castles in Europe

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château Ducal

Château DucalChâteau Ducal in Caen was built by William the Conqueror in 1060. The castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Western Europe. After the war in 1944 the castle was seriously damaged and a large part was restored. Today the castle serves as a museum, it houses the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Normandy and has temporary exhibitions on art and history

Château Ducal in Caen was built by William the Conqueror in 1060. The castle is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Wester...

The Saint-Jean Church in Caen

front of Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean Church

inside the Saint-Jean ChurchThe Saint-Jean Church in Caen was build between the 14th and 16th century in Gothic style. It was the only remaining building in the quarter of St Jean after a bombing in World War II. As you can see the main tower leans to the left, this is because the church was built on marshy ground.

The Saint-Jean Church in Caen was build between the 14th and 16th century in Gothic style. It was the only remaining building in the...