In 708 AD, a bishop in Avranches had a sanctuary built on Mont-Tombe in honor of the Archangel Michael. The sanctuary became a site for Christian pilgrimages prior to the Benedectine Monks settling in the abbey of the sanctuary, turning it into a monastery.
From the 10th to the 14th centuries, the monastery expanded out to the foot of the rock cliffs, and a village arose at the base of the structure.
At the highest tides, the monastery is isolated on all sides by the rising English Channel. Even the modern road you take to travel there is engulfed by the tide.
During the 100 years war between England and France, this one stronghold was the lone outstation to consistently resist all British assaults, never being compromised. As a result, the monastery became a symbol of national pride and identity, and most French believed it was the monastery's namesake, the Archangel Michael, who protected the site and the French throne.
From the French Revolution until 1863, the monastery was used as a prison.
View from near the top, back down onto the village and mudflats below.
Near the top level.
Green lawn grown near the top of the structure.
The wheel used to haul carts up to the top of the monastery
House at the bottom, viewed over the wall near the top,
The views from the top are magnificent.
Near the top, another fortification structure rises to the final peak.
At the village below, I caught a picture of some peasants enjoying some ice cream.
Protected in 1874 as a French National Historic Site, it is now a fine demonstration of Middle Ages lifestyles, and is regarded by many French as the heavenly Jerusalem on earth, an image of Paradise.
Probably the coolest and most well-preserved, historically accurate Middle Ages stronghold you could visit.
I also found my new favorite flavored chip - - Mustard Pickles Lay's! You can't eat just one (bag).
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