Pierced skulls and sinking sands – the legend of Mont St Michel

 

One stormy night in 708 (according to legend), the Archangel Michael appeared to Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches, in a dream and commanded him to build a church on a rock off the Normandy coast known at the time as Mont Tombe.    The Bishop wasn’t so keen and tried his best to ignore these night-time visitations, but quickly changed his mind after the not-so-kindly angel pierced a hole in his skull with his finger.  Mont St Michel was born.

Mont St Michel, Normandy

The story of the Archangel burning holes in Bishops made him fairly infamous which lead to all sorts of pilgrims making their way to pay homage at this new religious site. To cater to the crowds, a small town developed during the eighth century with a full-blown monastery to boot. The town was built to along the lines of feudal society rules, i.e. at the top was the abbey and monastery to pray to God, below this the Great Halls, stores and housing and at the bottom outside the walls fishermen and farmers’ housing.

Mont St Michel hit the headlines again in the Bayeux Tapestry when William ‘Long Sword’ took over the area, shortly before conquering England. Harold is pictured on the tapestry rescuing two Norman knights from the quicksand in the tidal flats during a battle with the Duke of Brittany.

In 1067 the monastery of Mont Saint-Michel gave it’s support to Duke William of Normandy in his claim to the throne of England and the monastery was rewarded with gifts from English side of the Channel, including a small island off the south-west coast of Cornwall. This island was modelled after the Mont and became a Norman priory named St Michael’s Mount of Penzance.

The Mont grew in reputation and because of its unique position of being an island only 600 metres from land this position made it readily defensible as an incoming tide stranded and occasionally drowned any would-be assailants. The Mont remained unconquered during the 100 years war and this resolute resistance inspired the French, especially Joan of Arc.

There was a minor blip in the Mont’s history when it was turned into a state prison by Louis XI, however by 1836 influential figures—including Victor Hugo—had launched a campaign to restore what was seen as a national architectural treasure. The prison was finally closed in 1863, and the mount was declared an historic monument in 1874.

Mont Saint-Michel and its bay were finally added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Not bad work from Bishop Aubert. He would probably now say that it was almost worth the hole in the skull.

Find out more about our Gites in Normandy

Cool accommodation for family holidays in France

 

If you are looking for cool accommodation to wow your kids, we really like these quirky ideas from La Flèche and Glisten Camping.

A night at the zoo in La Flèche

La Flèche Zoo, which is located in the Loir Valley between Le Mans, Angers and Tours, has launched three new, super-stylish safari-style lodges for night time stays at the zoo.

Stay overnight at a zoo in France

The new lodges overlook the Madagascan lemurs, and are added to four existing lodges which allow visitors to enjoy the company from arctic wolves, white tigers or leaping lemurs.

Each lodge has oversized windows that look out onto the enclosures and so give visitors amazing views of the nocturnal habits of these amazing animals.

Accommodation includes a master suite, children’s bunk room, bathroom and outdoor shower and a Pergola for al fresco dining.

One night half board start from £110pp based on 4 sharing, including a 2-day zoo pass. Go to www.safari-lodge.fr to book.

Dome tents

Glisten Camping is opening in April Set to give France a new offering in luxe camping.

The company is offering amazing dome tents on handpicked campsites – the first site consists of six stylish geodomes nestled in the Basque countryside.

New dome tents launch in France

Glisten offers contemporary glamping alternatives for families who would rather curl up in a sleeping pod; swing in a hanging chair or whizz-up something magnificent on their own all-weather kitchen/dining area complete Plancha grill.

Think private pods, family living and fresh look at how to holiday outdoors in style.

For more information go to: www.glistencamping.com.

New family adventure company launches

 

From bivouac-ing to bread-making, a new family adventure company is offering breathtaking breaks to France this summer.

Family Adventure Holidays has launched three action-packed summer holidays based in different regions of France, with high-adrenaline thrills offering something for everyone from tots to teens – and their parents.

Families can choose between a fun-packed, all-inclusive holiday based at a chateau in Normandy; a high-octane watersports holiday on the Mediterranean coast; or a week’s adventure in the Ardeche where the highlight is the thrilling descent of the Ardeche gorge by canoe.

All activities are led by professionally-qualified English-speaking instructors and holidays also include outings and evening entertainment with camp fires, quizzes and barbecues.

Normandy Adventure

For families with younger children, the Normandy Adventure Holiday is at a 200-year-old chateau near Avranches, with more than 20 activities for all ages – from canoeing and climbing to biking and bread-making – plus accommodation, all meals and drinks.

Family adventure in Normandy

Watersports on the Med

Based at a four-star family-run campsite at Argeles sur Mer on the Mediterranean coast, the French Mediterranean Watersports holiday features windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, canyoning, snorkelling and paddle-boarding. Back on dry land there are beach activities, plus mountain treks and wine tours for the grown-ups.

Canoeing on the Ardeche

For real adrenaline-junkies the Ardeche Adventure for families with children aged eight years and over promises a thrilling two-day whitewater canoe descent of the Ardeche gorge, with an overnight bivouac in the heart of the gorge. Also on the activity menu are kayaking, climbing, abseiling, weaselling in the limestone cliffs, and a high ropes course among the pine forests of Villefort.

Family canoeing adventure in the Ardeche

Prices (excluding travel) start at just £295 per adult and £245 per child for seven nights’ full board with all activities. For more information go to www.familyadventureholidays.com.

Brittany Ferries launches new low cost service to France

 

Brittany Ferries has announced plans to launch a new low cost ferry service from Portsmouth to Le Havre on France’s north coast.

The service launches on 25 March and will be branded as Brittany Ferries économie, to appeal to those looking for cheaper crossings without the cruise-style experience normally provided by Brittany Ferries.

One way fares for a car plus two this spring will start at just £79 to France.

Brittany Ferries low cost service

Services on board will be restricted from usual levels and will include a reduced restaurant menu and entertainment limited to a movie lounge, however cabins will still feature en-suite facilities, there will be a lounge where seats can be reserved on overnight crossings and there will be 12 pet-friendly cabins.

Mike Bevens, Group Commercial Director, comments: “We feel that there is an opening for a no-frills, great-value service which will appeal to those who are on a tight budget and may not have even considered travelling by ferry before. The Brittany Ferries promise has always been about “choice” – we have ten routes, plus high-speed services, as well as cruise ferries – and this is taking the concept one step further.

“Whilst Brittany Ferries économie will not provide the same high level of service and facilities with which Brittany Ferries has become associated it will offer something altogether simpler and with exceptional value.”

Bookings will open online at www.brittanyferries.com/economie in a few weeks but in the meantime registrations can be made by calling 0871 244 1400.