Le Mont Saint-Michel by blinkings

Photography • Architecture • posted on Feb 07, 2018

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Description

Mont Saint-Michel is an island commune in Normandy, France. The island has held strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. The commune's position — on an island just 600 metres from land — made it accessible at low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey, but defensible as an incoming tide stranded, drove off, or drowned would-be assailants. The Mont remained unconquered during the Hundred Years' War; a small garrison fended off a full attack by the English in 1433. The reverse benefits of its natural defense were not lost on Louis XI, who turned the Mont into a prison. The abbey is a wonderful place to explore. I had to trudge out over the quicksand like mud flats to get this shot and hope the tide didn't come in!!!!!

Comments (11)

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jmb007

6:29AM | Wed, 07 February 2018

jolie

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T.Rex

6:59AM | Wed, 07 February 2018

This seems to be the bet photo I've seen of the island. All the different levels are visible. With the constant tides, I wonder how they for the island so greatly built up. Keep up the good work! :-)

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