Did you ever want to just get away from it all to your own private island retreat, accessible to the mainland at low tide by a scenic 600 meter stroll across the salt marsh? Well. Have *I* got an island commune for you. Complete with strategic fortifications AND monastery. Never been conquered.
Yet.
Anyone up for attempting to conquer it with me? It's like my own personal medieval stone Barbie Dreamhouse.
Functional yet stylish drawbridge entry.
All original stone. Hundred of useful steps. Our Lady.
Plenty of room for a big family.
If you're thinking, "Hey, haven't I seen this place embroidered on something really old?" The answer is, "Yes. Yes, you have." The creators of the Bayeux Tapestry have really captured the charm and uniqueness of Le Mont Saint-Michel, complete with horses falling into quicksand and that soon to be scoundrel Prince Harold, heroically dragging not one but TWO men out of the quicksand to safety. THAT quicksand could be ours.
Along with this amazing swirly beard on Adam, and this fresco of the time that the Archangel Michael appeared in 708 to St. Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, and instructed him to build a church on this rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. We could look at it EVERY DAY.
Lovely views. Easily defensible parapets. Private chapel complete with mysterious hanging ship.
High ceilings. Large fireplaces. Spacious dining room. Human hamster wheel for prisoners and/or children to hoist supplies up the side of the fortress. What could be more convenient?
Seriously. We'll launch an attack. There are only 43 full time residents, most of them are old lady museum-types. It's the last thing they'll be expecting. We'll have the place to ourselves in a couple of hours, tops.
We'll see if the guy who runs the seafood restaurant will stay. He makes a delicious plate of mussels.
Who's with me?
For more on our trip, see installment #1: Canada, and #2: Lourdes, and #3: Chartres and Lisieux, and #4: Normandy.