There are very few such places on Earth. Since olden times, people have chosen these same places in order to talk to gods. Why? The answer becomes evident with the first glance at Le Mont Saint Michel (Mount of Saint Michael), regardless of the constructions erected by humans in this very place. This granite cliff amid the sea is so unreal that even we, the modern people, perceive it as a creation by God for himself, not for humans. It is a so-called mausoleum of God.
More than two thousand years ago, the Mont Saint-Michel was called Mont Tombe (Mount Tomb), but it had never been a place of grief. Many centuries B.C., it was one of the most spiritual places for Druids. Here they talked to their gods, with Belenus prime among them. Belenus, “the shining one,” means the sun and everything connected to it: fire, warmth, fertility, spring, and life. His symbols are the circle and the swastika (yes, the same old sign that has been besmirched by Hitler). His main holiday, Beltane, was celebrated on the 1st of May, after which winter with its cold should be gone, giving way to warmth and faring well.
Thousands of pilgrims came to Mont Tombe from all of Gaul (modern France) to join the celebration. Celtic votaries, Druids made up fire on the top of the mountain using the sun’s rays to signify the end of the winter battle and the arrival of warmth. The fire could be seen many kilometres away.
It was a bright feast and people associated the future Le Mont Saint Michel with gladness, hope, and happiness. Everything was very different from the forthcoming Christian times, when people started to connect it with the world of the dead, and, more precisely, with the transition to the world of the dead, the door to which was thought to open at night.
That’s why entrance to the church is strictly forbidden at night, even to the monks themselves, although according to another version, angels gather here at night, probably in order to discuss their achievements and plans.
Each year on the 1st of November, you may count on meeting your deceased forefathers here. The locals still preserve the tradition of making a small voyage towards the Mont Saint Michel before they bring a deceased person to the burial place.
Then the Romans came from the south. They had their own gods and there was no need of the Celtic competitors. The most sure-fire way to destroy a god is to destroy anyone who believes in it. A god is alive while there is at least one person who believes. Le Mont Saint Michel is a tomb of the Celtic god Belenus. This is just the place where he was destroyed; however it is rather strange that the Romans never built their own temple on this mount.
After the death of the Celtic god, Mont Tombe spent 700 years waiting for its next godship, and it came as Archangel Michael, who bid St. Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, to build a temple in his honour here. Since then the island has been called Mont Saint-Michel and is nowadays the second-most attended French sightseeing location. Victor Hugo said that Le Mont Saint Michel for the French is like the pyramids for the Egyptians.
Mont St. Michel Abbey played a very significant role in the struggle of the French against the northern invaders. Along with Joan of Arc it became a symbol of the rebellion. The island was the only place in Normandy which the English failed to conquer, in spite of the 25-years siege and two acts of assault. Through joint efforts of people and nature an airy and an ephemeral, but very powerful fortress was created.
It’s like a real magnet. Now, as always, it attracts people. You will be able to feel this pull as soon as you see the Abbey. You move through the field and the Mont Saint-Michel appears from afar; sure enough you stop and watch—it is impossible to take your eyes off it.
You wake up early in the morning before sunrise, come out of your hotel to take a walk, and there is the Mont Saint-Michel, levitating in the distance, capturing your attention at once. You move towards the mountain along the recently built dike, gaze wide-eyed and get a feeling of something spiritual. Now it is clear why the passage to the Mont St. Michel Abbey through the quicksand during the falling tide has always been considered an ordeal. If your sins were really heavy, you might have not reached the island in order to ask absolution—the inferno could suck you down in there.
The color of any sea depends on the bottom color, water’s depth, and the sky color. Just imagine the severe somber sky, the sandy grey bottom, and as the result, the grey water. Considering the shallow depth, there are no waves here, only the tranquil, mirror-like waters, reflecting the sky. Along comes the mist, so typical for Normandy, and Le Mont Saint Michel which hangs in the grey space with no top, no bottom, no ground, and no space itself.
It’s hard not to believe that this place is a corridor to some another world. It might not be the world of the dead, but it is surely different to ours, because there is no way our world looks like this, unless, of course, it is the Mont Saint-Michel. Welcome to Belenus.
Beautiful views of Le Mont Saint Michel, France, from a drone. (2.32 min.)
More about France:
How Not to Die of Hunger, Examining Benedictine Abbey in Jumieges
Cite De Carcassonne or Book In Stone
Peyrepertuse – One of Cathar Castles
October 21, 2013 at 10:02 am
Wow, your photos are beautiful Victor. I’ve always wanted to go to Mont St Michel. Thanks for sharing.
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October 21, 2013 at 11:53 am
I hope, after this post your desire will become stronger.
Thank you.
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October 21, 2013 at 10:51 am
These photos are fantastic, Victor. It’s an amazing place and you’ve captured its magic and added some of your own.
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October 21, 2013 at 11:49 am
This is a very light work, take a photo of fantastic place.
You have been to Mont St. Michel, and you know for sure.
Thank you.
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October 21, 2013 at 3:46 pm
It’s because I’ve seen it and taken photos myself that I can judge how beautiful yours are. You’ve really captured the mystic aspect of the place.
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October 21, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Thank you, Anneli. That was our goal.
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October 21, 2013 at 11:01 am
I never heard of this location before. How beautiful! I was just in Paris and would have loved seeing this. Maybe next time.
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October 21, 2013 at 11:45 am
Rachel, this is a fragment from my previous blog post:
“Have you ever been to France?”
“Yes, I visited Paris.”
“Oh, that means you have never been to France…”
Next time, please visit France, but not Paris.
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October 21, 2013 at 12:17 pm
I promise, I will 🙂
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October 21, 2013 at 11:53 am
Awesome shots and one of my favorite places. Great work!!!
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October 21, 2013 at 11:54 am
Mine too.
Thank you, Nick.
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October 21, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Excellent post Victor, a place high on my must visit list!
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October 21, 2013 at 8:48 pm
It’s time, Andrew. Especially because this place is a few steps from you.
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October 21, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Beautiful pictures from a place that I have always wanted to visit; must plan a trip there soon!
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October 21, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Pleasant journey, Davide.
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October 22, 2013 at 5:25 am
I love that pretty island, too.
I was there, back in 2011 and it was amazing. I should put some more photos online, than this: https://solaner.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/evening-mood/
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October 22, 2013 at 5:34 am
If the other of your photos as good as that, we look forward to see them.
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October 22, 2013 at 6:12 am
Thanks, Victor.
I guess they are. As well as the others taken in Brittany.
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October 22, 2013 at 9:54 am
A beautiful narration accompanied by beautiful pictures. Nice post, Victor!
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October 22, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Thanks for reading. It is very important for me.
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October 22, 2013 at 10:10 am
Brilliant photography!! Great narration
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October 22, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Thank you, Rajiv.
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October 22, 2013 at 1:54 pm
You have such a good eye for your photos. I adore the shot of the orange poppies and purple thistles and the island in the distance. so great. I have always wanted to go to Mont St. Michel – every since learning about it in like Jr. high. Hopefully someday! You have reminded me of a dream!
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October 22, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Hurry up, Gretchen, life is so short.
Thank you.
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October 22, 2013 at 9:50 pm
Lovely photos as always! I’ve always wanted to go to Mont St Michel, and I hope I can make it there someday 🙂
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October 22, 2013 at 10:06 pm
There is a very strange tendency in the comments of this post, repeated phrase “I always wanted to go to Mont St. Michele….” Seems it is very hard-reachable place.
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October 23, 2013 at 8:57 am
Fantastic photos. I just added yet another place to my list of future not to be missed trips! Thanks for sharing those gorgeous photos
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October 23, 2013 at 9:22 am
Thank you, Shelley.
I have many of them. 🙂
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October 23, 2013 at 9:05 pm
Beautiful pictures! I would love to learn how to take such great pictures. I too have been to Paris and would love to return to see France, So much beauty!
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October 23, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Thank you, Dagmar.
Practice, practice, and practice.
Somehow, I have seen the phrase: The first 10,000 your pictures will be bad, then they start getting better and better.
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October 25, 2014 at 3:00 am
What a beautiful read! You do not only take great photos but you write so well too! My daughter who is in France for her Junior Term Abroad is currently on her way there right now. I’m sure she’ll be mesmerized by this beautiful and magical place. I can’t wait to hear her stories!
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October 25, 2014 at 5:31 am
This is the unique place. I hope your daughter will confirm my impressions. I will be very glad if you show her my blog post.
Thank you.
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September 16, 2015 at 9:06 am
I made it there just last week. Thanks to you and other bloggers who reminded me that I needed to visit this place!
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September 16, 2015 at 10:41 am
It’s great, Andrew. Will you write something about this place? How about photos?
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September 16, 2015 at 11:35 am
Coming up Victor, I am always a little behind!
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September 16, 2015 at 1:57 pm
I understand. The same with me.
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September 2, 2016 at 5:42 am
Beautiful, Merci….
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September 2, 2016 at 5:49 am
Merci beaucoup.
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May 8, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Hi Victor,
In one of your blog posts ( https://victortravelblog.com/2013/07/08/unbroken-oyster-season-cancale-france/ ) you mention something about a restaurant near Mont Saint Michel where they serve “lamb nourished with grass grown on a salty soil (l’agneau de pre-sale)”
Do you still remember that restaurant’s name?
Thanks,
Razvan
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May 8, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Hi Razvan,
I think it was La Ferme Saint Michel http://www.restaurantfermesaintmichel.com/
But I suppose that almost every restaurant near St Michel prepares this dish.
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