Mont St Michel

(only one hour from Le Gaudin)

Mont St Michel is one of the most spectacular sites in Europe. So much so, it is designated as one of the few World Heritage sites.

No wonder it has around three million visitors a year! Popular since early pilgrims flocked there almost 1,000 years ago. Mont St Michel is an island erupting from the sea, with a magnificent ancient abbey perched precariously on top.

A step into the past

The island is more impressive than anything Disney could dream up, yet it is real (actually it does feature in Disneyland Paris as the Timekeeper ride!). It has featured in the films as varied as The elusive Pimpernel, Chronos, Mindwalk, and it was the inspiration for some of the scenes in the film Lord of the Rings.

It has also played a role as a French Alcatraz. In 1472, Louis XIth installed an iron cage to imprison political enemies. It later became a prison for priests. Under Napoleon, 15,000 prisoners passed through, with many dieing within its walls.

Top sites include:

• The Abbey - a step into the past. Everything from a flamboyant Gothic chancel, to the prison, an imposing Knight's Hall and beautiful cloisters.
• Grande Rue - a winding, cobbled street, straight out of a film set
• Musee Historique - do see the garden periscope
• Chapelle St Aubert - scene of a 25th century miracle

Lots of shops and delightful restaurants featuring fine Normandy cuisine.