St. Michel

Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany (on the north coast of France) stand the ‘Wonder of the West’, a Gothic-style abbey dedicated to the Archangel St Michael.

It was built in 8^th century, the buildings of Mont St. Michel were constructed of granite which were carried from near-by island but some limestone were also used in the cloister. Its arrogant location along with abbey’s church, cloister, gardens, the north-facing, Gothic buildings of “La Merveille” (The Marvel), the narrow town streets, and the ramparts combine to make Mont-Saint-Michel one of France’s most impressive sites. Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site.

We went to Mont St. Michel on Feb.14^th for two-day trip with one travel agency. The day was quite bright but with chilled wind blowing across. After spending 4 hrs at St.Michel we were shifted to hotel where we had our early French dinner & proper night sleep so that we are fresh enough to start for next day?s trip to Cancale on the way to St.Malo.

Cancale has made its reputation as a fishing port, famous for its oysters. It?s the place from where granite rocks for St.Michel were taken. St.Malo a walled town made its reputation as a world port thanks to its sailors, merchants, and corsair ship owners and to it?s trading with India, China, Africa and America. Other then its port, miles long beach attracts visitors for sunbath in summer. The best view of St.Malo is from its ramparts.