April 16th Mont St. Michel and Bayeux

Today the garmin did a great job of getting us to Mont St. Michel.  You will see from the photos that this place is heavy on the vertical.  I think there were at least 876,198 steps that got used up building the cathedral.  Settlement on the island dates back to 460, when the Romans were here.  Around 760 the Monks took over the place.  The Benedictines settled into the Abby in 900's.  The village, around the Abby,  was completed, as it is today, in the 1300's.  Today there are lots of Monks and Nuns living there.  There are around 40 people who live in the village full time.  This place was beautiful, and overwhelming.
Later we went to beautiful downtown Bayeux where we stayed for the last three days.  Bayuex was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC.  The Cathedral was dedicated in 1077.  Bayeux is probably most famous for the Bayeux Tapestry which tells the story of the battle of Hastings in 1066,  that whole Norman Conquest thing you slept through during world history.  You can view the whole 300 picture set when we get home, if you want to.  Well look at the pictures and remember us hillbillies on holiday.                   P.S. LaQuita the last picture is for you and George.

We are taking the overnight train from Paris to Venice Sunday night.  I don't know if we will have internet service in Venice.  We will ad new post as soon as we can.  Don't go away.

Mont St. Michel from about 3 Miles

At high tide this place is an island

During their vacations, the monks lead expeditions up Mount Everest, which compared to this place, is a piece of cake.

At the top of all the steps, you get to the entrance of the Abby.

Not bad for more than a thousand years old.

Inside the Abby during 12:00 Mass

Following you will find lots of pictures of Mont St. Michel

This wheel is about 20 feet in diameter.  Monks walked inside of it to pull up the rope. next picture

To pull this dolly loaded with materials.  next picture

Up this ramp so they wouldn't have to carry it up those darn steps

there were two of these big fireplaces in the one room

the cathedral at Bayeux 1077

the river running through Bayeux was turning this water wheel for this mill

beautiful downtown Bayeux

a hog seen roaming the streets of Bayeux