Nestled at the base of the abbey, ensconced behind impressive walls and towers, the town of Mont-Saint-Michel was born of the abbey, to which it is inextricably linked, and it is this which gives it a special and unique character.
The town grew up out of the need to house and feed the numerous pilgrims, who began arriving to partake of the spiritual healing and sanctuary of the famous abbey, and as such Inns and hostels were constructed. These early innkeepers provided meals and lodgings and merchants sold holy images, figures of St. Michael, and metal badges which the pilgrims proudly displayed announcing to all that they had made the pilgrimage to the abbey of Mount-Saint-Michel. In essence these were the early hotels and souvenir shops which today’s visitor to the Mount can enjoy with there great food and hospitality.
The canny vendors and innkeepers organized their buildings mainly around the main entrance of the abbey, knowing that the passage of visitors passing their premises ensured a steady income, which it did, and still does today. Unfortunately this arrangement led to the fire which engulfed Mont-Saint-Michel in 1204, when the Bretons attacked and set fire to the town.
It was on the site of the Merveille, to the north of the side of the mount, to which the damage was done, the main entrance to the abbey being situated here at that time facing out towards the sea with direct view across to the island of Tombelaine.
With this information we can gleam that the current layout of the town which dates to the beginning of the 13th century, with the houses and shops winding upwards from the beach side along the south easterly side of the mount, its main thoroughfare snaking upwards to the monastery. An exciting labyrinth of alleyways, stairways and pretty courtyards can also provide an interesting and seemingly secret tour around the town, leading ever onwards towards the abbey. From these lovely routes spectacular views can be had of the surrounding bay, stunning buildings the quaint parish church and of course the astonishing heights of the religious centre above.
The parish of Mont-Saint-Michel became after the French revolution an autonomous commune, and from its lovely intimate parish church its mellow stone walls reflecting the light of shimmering candles and the glow of stained glass, this practice has continued administering to the inhabitants of the town.
In the 19th century land was reclaimed from the sea, which enabled the islanders to in a sense become a rural township, allowing them to expand outwards from the rock gaining more needed space.
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