WONDER OF THE WEST FrANCE
*France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval and port cities, tranquil villages, mountains and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is known worldwide for its couture fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its sophisticated cuisine and its wines. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater and the immense Palace of Versailles are testaments to its long history.
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RENDEZ-VOUS AT THE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL
The Mont-Saint-Michel looms dramatically on the horizon, defying the highest tides in Europe. The rocky island topped by an 11th-century Benedictine abbey appears majestic on a clear day and mystifying through the fog.
One of France’s most visited place
Registered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the Mount is one of France’s most visited historical places.2.5 million tourists from around the world travel to the rocky outcrop every year: sightseers eager to discover the mythical town, and pilgrims on a spiritual journey.
For the Mont-Saint-Michel is, above all, a sacred site.
A vision that came into sight
The Mont-Saint-Michel is named after Archangel Michael. The location’s origins can be traced back to a legend that has the archangel appearing in a series of dreams to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches. In 709, following the archangel’s demands, Bishop Aubert built a sanctuary on what was then a barren rock called Mont-Tombe.
In 966, at the Duke of Normandy’s request, Benedictine monks settled on the island where they erected an abbey.
Exceptional medieval architecture
The shrine slowly continued to be extended over the centuries. The Abbey’s church and conventual buildings were built during the 11th and 12th centuries, followed by the Merveille cloister and refectory from the 13th to the 16th centuries.Let’s not forget the military ramparts built during the 14th century. The fortification protected the tidal island during the Hundred Years War.
The Mont-Saint-Michel’s development was in itself a miracle. Boat shipments brought granite from the Chausey islands quarries. The rocks were then cut into blocks and hauled to the top of the Mount.
A religious landmark
The Mont-Saint-Michel remained an acclaimed pilgrimage site over the centuries. The site, along with Rome and the Way of Saint James were the most significant pilgrimages of the Medieval West.In 2001, the Monastic Communities of Jerusalem restored daily prayer and monastic hospitality.
The Mont-Saint-Michel is labelled, quite understandably, one of France’s 13 Villes Sanctuaires (shrine towns).
@ Summer the Mont-Saint-Michel becomes an island
Over time, high tides and human interference caused silt to build-up around the bay. By 2006, the nearly landlocked Mont-Saint-Michel no longer resembled an island.A project to restore the Mount to the sea was launched in the same year. A new dam designed to gradually sweep away the silt and sand has begun to operate on the Couesnon River. The old parking lot at the foot of the rock has been demolished and moved to a new area near the bridge, on the mainland.
The causeway will soon share the same fate, marking the end of the construction work and the return of the Mont-Saint-Michel to its true island status.
Once the tidal coefficient reaches over 110, the Mont-Saint-Michel is briefly transformed back into an island. The base of the Mount’s outer ramparts then find themselves underwater. The Mount is cut off from any access for pedestrians. The phenomenon only lasts a few hours at a time, but it is a novelty that had not occurred for over 130 years!
THE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL MUST-SEES
- Enjoy the panoramic view of the Bay and the Mount from the elegant viewing platform of the new bridge (and take advantage of your time there to discover the new dam).
- Climb the steep Grand Rue, the village’s main (and only) street, and the ramparts.
- Wander in souvenir shops and restaurants.
- Visit museums such as the Mont-Saint-Michel historical museum, or the Maritime and Ecology museum.
- Discover the Logis de Tiphaine, the historical house of Sir Bertrand du Guesclin, the 14th century Knight and constable of the King’s army, and his wife, Tiphaine, a famous astrologer.
- Contemplate the magnificent Saint-Pierre church and the Maison du Pèlerin (Pilgrim’s House).
- Marvel at the architectural treasure that is the Abbey, and the surrounding gardens.
- Let the singing voices of the monks mesmerise you during daily church services.
- Admire the breathtaking view of the Bay from the top of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Cross the Bay at low tide with a tour guide. Crossing the Bay alone is dangerous and prohibited. Shifting sands and turning tides claimed the lives of numerous pilgrims in the past, hence the nickname: Mont-Saint-Michel-au-Péril-de-la-mer (Mont-Saint-Michel at the peril of the sea).
- Delight in the amazing Archeoscope show, a multimedia experience that will take you back to medieval times
RENDEZ-VOUS IN PARIS REGION
THE REGION AROUND PARIS THE "CITY OF LIGHT"
The Ile-de-France region offers a unique and ideal backdrop for any vacation: from the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame to the Moulin Rouge, the emblematic monuments of Paris rival the châteaux, landscapes, forests and valleys of its surrounding areas.Admire the fantastic view over the rooftops of Paris from the steps of the Sacré Cœur in Montmartre, or from the top of the Arc de triomphe, from the 5th floor of the Centre Pompidou, or even from the top of the Montparnasse Tower or the roof of the “Grande Arche”. Ile-de-France is filled with destinations that are ideal for visiting with friends or family. Famous sites throughout the region, outside of Paris, include Disneyland Paris, France Miniature, the Musée Grévin waxworks museum, the City of Science and Industry, and the Jardin d'Acclimatation. From the National Museum of Archeology in Saint-Germain-en-Laye to the Château de Versailles, the region is filled with French history.
FRANCE COMBINES NATURE AND RELAXATION
From the National Park in Saint-Cloud to the Forest of Fontainebleau, to the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Jardin des Tuileries and the tranquil Buttes-Chaumont , the Ile-de-France region combines nature and relaxation. Four regional natural parks offer all the charms and diversity of the Ile-de France countryside.See Ile-de-France through the eyes of painters: the Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise or the Island of the Impressionists will transport you straight into the landscapes that have been immortalized by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Daubigny and Pissarro. This pictorial discovery will lead you to some of the top museums in the world, such as the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay.
IIE-DE-FRANCE PRODUCESA VAST NUMBER OF GOURMET PRODUCTS
Paris boasts nearly 70 Michelin-starred restaurants and a vast number of prestigious establishments. Typical brasseries serve French classics such as steak-frites and pommes parisiennes (Parisian potatoes), as well as more elaborate "bistro" style dishes. If you want to grab some food on the go, opt for a traditional simple baguette sandwich with ham and butter from any boulangerie, and enjoy a picnic on a bench in one of the many parks.The Ile-de-France region produces a vast number of gourmet products: Houdan poultry, lamb from Ile-de-France, as well as Parisian mushrooms and cress from Méréville. The local cheeses (Brie from Meaux, Melun or Coulommiers) rival the fantastic desserts of the region, such as the Paris-Brest praline pastry, chouquettes or Cream Puffs and colorful macarons. There are also many recipes made with peppermint from Milly or cherries from Montmorency.
The Agricultural Fair in Paris brings together all these specialties, as well as many others from all over France. You can also find these local specialties at the International Cheese and Wine Fair in Coulommiers, at the National Ham Fair and Fleamarket or at the Fair in Corbeil-Essonnes.
A PLETHORA OF DIVERSE EVENTS
Paris- Ile-de-France hosts more than 700 events per year: festivals, concerts, exhibitions, performances, fairs, sporting events and more. The city is constantly showcasing innovate modern and contemporary artworks as well as ancient and classical art within the many cultural institutions, from museums to galleries to the opera house to theatre houses.Some of the top events that enliven the streets of Paris annually include the Tropical Carnival, Techno Parade, Gay Pride parade, and Nuit Blanche festivities. Other festivals, such as Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Festival and the Foire Saint-Germain showcase the city’s village-feel, which the capital has retained over the years. Numerous events and music festivals give Ile-de-France its rhythm: Banlieues Bleues Festival, Solidays, Rock en Seine, and more.
Ile-de-France invites you to share in the thrills of many great sporting events: the Hermès Show Jumping at the Grand Palais, the Roland-Garros tennis tournament, the finish line of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysées and the final of the Top 14 rugby at the Stade de France.
MODERNITY IS EVERYWHERE
Alongside the existing iconic monuments, many new sites have emerged: the Arab World Institute, the ‘First Arts’ Museum of Quai Branly, the film library, the City of Music, the Great Arch of Defense, the Opera at the Bastille, the François Mittrand Library (at the heart of a new district), “Docks en Seine”: the Cube at Issy-les-Moulineaux, the Cathedral of the Resurrection at Evry, the Grand Stadium of France at St. Denis, and the Museum Mac/Val at Ivry-sur-Seine.Rendez-vous in Provence
Just three hours by TGV from Paris, the sky here is azure and the sun shines. In Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, the sea is at your feet and the Alpine peaks are just a few hours away by car.
