Located at an altitude of about 80m above sea level, the ancient Saint-Michel Abbey has become one of the symbols of France and was recognized as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1979.
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| French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that Saint-Michel Abbey has become a symbol of French universalism. (Source: Getty) |
The history of the Abbey began in 709 when Bishop Aubert d'Avranches decided to build this place to commemorate Saint Michel, since then it has become the most sacred destination in France. Notably, after visiting here in June 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron commented that over a period of 1,000 years, the Abbey of Saint-Michel has become a symbol of French universalism and a symbol of the French people.
Over thousands of years, the Abbey has gone through countless ups and downs in the history of the hexagonal country, typically becoming a fighting fortress during the Hundred Years War between England and France that lasted from 1337-1453. The Abbey was even converted into a prison during the French Revolution in the 18th century, from which it was nicknamed the “Bastille of the Seas”. By 1863, it housed up to 14,000 prisoners.
In addition, the Abbey of Saint-Michel also suffered two major fires in 922 and 1203. However, there are no documents recording the cause of the fires. In fact, after each catastrophic event, some characters appeared on the burnt walls, which have not yet been deciphered.
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| The monastery became an important pilgrimage site for Christians seeking protection and salvation from Saint Michel. (Source: City Wonders) |
In 1228, King Philippe Augustus decided to rebuild the building in the Gothic style (pointed arches, many large windows) and it remains almost intact to this day.
The abbey became a popular pilgrimage site for Christians seeking protection and salvation from Saint Michel. It welcomed several French and English kings, including Henry II Plantagenet, Saint Louis, Louis XI, Anne of Brittany, and François I.
In France, the Abbey of Saint-Michel is always famous and attracts about 3 million people every year and is often crowded on weekends. Coming here, visitors will admire the wild and mysterious beauty, especially when the tide rises and falls, sometimes revealing a large sandy beach, sometimes surrounded by sea water.
According to the Monastery's website, security gates are installed at the entrance, all bags must be checked, and visitors are not allowed to bring suitcases or large bags, pets (except guide and support dogs), sharp knives or dangerous objects. In addition, the Monastery also prohibits smoking and eating in the relic area to protect the environment.
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