Mont Saint Michel

This is a picture of the second most visited place (some say third or fourth) in France. Mont Saint Michel. Located just over half a mile form the coast, Mont Saint Michel is a tidal island. That means that when the tide comes in, it sticks out of the ocean. And when the tide goes out its a large rock surrounded by quick sand. 

Starting as a Gallo-Roman fortress in the 6th century. It later was turned into a monastery. William Duke of Normandy took the Mont from the Bretagnes, the people of Brittany.  The Mont Saint Michel was depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. This is possibly the greatest piece of art work that comes from this period. The Bayeux tapastery was the first time that chavaliers (knights) road horses and fought on top of them. It depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The tapestry shows the Earl of Wessex trying to save two Norman soilders from the quick sand at Mont Saint Michel.

This door, that leads into a high garden meant for prayers, looks a lot like one of the doors in the Harry Potter games. I felt, walking through this door that a snail with a poisoness trail of goo following it. Or those snapping plants that try to get you in the corners. I miss those games

Unfortunately no magical creatures. So sad.

This is Saint Michael the Archangel. For those of you who haven't read the Bible, he leads the army of God against the army of Satan. So he's a protecting sort. According to legend around 708 Michael appeared to the bishop of Avranches, St. Aubert. The angle told Aubert to build a church on the giant rock of Mont Saint Michel. Aubert refused until Micheal burned a hole in his head with his finger.  From this story is where the Mont gets it's name. The picture on the right is the replica. The real one stands atop the tallest spire on the chapel. Through that tree. 

Look chocolat chaud. This however wasn't very good. It was alright, I wanted something warm because it was cold out. I really should have gone Viennoise but it was freaking expensive.

Also they had waffles. It was glorious. For some reason waffles are big here as dessert items. I can't complain.

And for good measure happy picture in slight rain.