Today is a long day to visit the historic UNESCO World heritage site Mont St. Michel. Located in Normandy across from the U.K.

The ship docks in Cherbourg, France and the bus ride is 2-1/2 hours. When we arrive, we had arranged months ago for a Viator tour to meet us at the island to guide.

From the bus parking, there is a shuttle that takes you close to the site. Of course all the buses arrive at the same time so the shuttle line is quite long. We decide to walk slowly and take in the sights. This became a UNESCO site in 1979. Since then, they had to build a road and walkway to handle the amount of ‘pilgrims’ aka tourists. The tide is going out so Mont St. Michel is not quite an island yet.

The history briefly – the Archangel Michael appeared in 708 to the Bishop of the area and told him to build a church on this island. From that point forward, church construction went on over the ages, along with wars, and ownership of the area from Vikings to Britain to France. Best if you read about the history and uniqueness of this site.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont-Saint-Michel

When we arrive, we enter the city gate and walk over the drawbridge to the Main Street. It is summer tourist season and the Ascension holiday so crowds are everywhere.

There is another entrance through a side gate where we meet our tour guide Corrine. This road way to the Abbey at the top is less crowded and very steep as well as several sets of stairs to climb.

At the entrance to the Abbey, having a guide is the best – jump the lines and we are in. There are many rooms, lots of stairs, and different era of architecture as the church building started in the 800’s and then continued with additional buildings and renovations as needed over the ages. It’s an amazing, maze of buildings. Our guide provides the history as we walk through the rooms and onto the various outdoor viewing areas. There is a mass under way and the six Nuns that still live here are there too.

In the 1860’s this building was a prison. There was a long outdoor elevator device used to transport supplies to the prison. The elevator was powered by 5 men inside of a giant wheel walking to pull up the goods.

Once we complete the tour including the gift shop, our tour guide leads us back down and out the gate to the shuttle. Again, thankfully our guide jumps to the front of the line and shows her badge and we are on the shuttle with no wait. Definitely arrange a guide if you ever go here!!

When we arrive back at the bus parking, I look at my watch to see how many steps and stairs – 10,500 steps and 18 flight of stairs. Quite the adventure!

The bus arrives back at the Queen Anne dock in 2-1/2 hours. Once on the ship, we have to pack and be ready to disembark tomorrow. We say farewell to our lovely server Lucy from Kenya. Lucy also gave each of us a gift from Kenya to take with to remember her.

This ocean cruise comes to an end and we are ready for our next adventure. Taking a black car from Southhampton to Amsterdam!