ONT  T.  ICHEL

The island monastery of Mont St. Michel, in the northwest of France, dates from the 7th century. During low tide, the abbey rises from flat muddy marshland. But during high tide, it becomes a small island, connected to the mainland by a causeway.

The Benedictine Abbey was founded by the Dukes of Normandy on the ruins of an 8th century chapel. The Abbey's fortified structures are built of solid granite blocks. The church was built at the top of the mount in the 11th Century by Benedictine Monks and dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Different styles of architecture can be seen which developed during the 500 years of its construction.

Naturally, such a unique place is surrounded by myths and stories. There have been hundreds of visions of the Archangel Michael himself. There are also many legends of giants, and giant-killers. The same is true of Mont St. Michel's sister monastery across the channel in Cornwall--St. Michael's Mount.

Interestingly, King Arthur, who was born in Cornwall, was reputed to have killed a giant at the Normandy (French) site. "And after that King Arthur said and commanded his cousin Howell, that he should ordain for a church to be builded on the same hill in the worship of Saint Michael."1

On the Cornish (U.K.) side, the most famous hero is Jack the Giant Killer.

• Mont. St. Michel 

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1. Le Morte D'Arthur, Sir Thomas Malory, Book V, Chapter 5