Mont-Saint-Michel
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mont-Saint-Michel
Really interesting article in this month's Smithsonian Magazine.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel...nds-180951441/
Such a stunning site, but up close it seems that commercialization has completely overwhelmed the charm. I haven't been there in nearly 20 years, and probably won't ever return to the island.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel...nds-180951441/
Such a stunning site, but up close it seems that commercialization has completely overwhelmed the charm. I haven't been there in nearly 20 years, and probably won't ever return to the island.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
marking to digest later - skimming shows a very interesting article on a hard problem - hard to handle so many tourists without turning tourists away?
But in peak summer when I have been there it has been elbow-elbow on the narrow main gauntlet coming in from the sole entrance from the causeway/bus parking lots - a new people mover will only make access easier.
But in peak summer when I have been there it has been elbow-elbow on the narrow main gauntlet coming in from the sole entrance from the causeway/bus parking lots - a new people mover will only make access easier.
#5
Yes, this is a very interesting and well-written article. My son and I visited around 2005 or so for the first time. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but I was taken aback by the press of humanity as the article describes. It certainly made it feel touristy,commercial and claustrophibic. (As I write that, I realize that we were two people who contributed to that press of humanity).
We did go to the abbey which was beautiful and quiet, and it felt like an oasis.
I don't know what the answer is. The Mont itself is breathtaking from a distance and its history and geographical location are fascinating (I didn't know, or didn't remember that there's quicksand there!).
Like you, MaineGG, I don't intend to return.
Ellen
We did go to the abbey which was beautiful and quiet, and it felt like an oasis.
I don't know what the answer is. The Mont itself is breathtaking from a distance and its history and geographical location are fascinating (I didn't know, or didn't remember that there's quicksand there!).
Like you, MaineGG, I don't intend to return.
Ellen
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It has historically been a press of humanity, full of cheap souvenir hawkers. Wasn't that much different in the Middle Ages, though of course there are far more people there now. I was fortunate enough to visit it about a dozen times in the 1970s and 1980s, when it wasn't nearly as bad as it is now. Same with Versailles and the Tour Eiffel and any number of places that have been completely overrun with a glut of visitors. I probably won't ever go back to any of those places.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I visited in 2006 and feel the same way as Ellen. Besides all the people, I was totally surprised by all the junk that was being offered for sale!! Worth the trip to the Abbey though.
I also do NOT plan on returning.
I also do NOT plan on returning.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We visited with our kids in 2011 and didn't arrive until 6pm or so. It was absolutely magical and we stayed on the island until 10pm or so without the hideous crowds. I would return and do the same thing.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We went in early October - and fairly early in the day - their were only 2 tour buses. And we found it wonderful and fascinating. We went straight to the top to see the Abby and then headed down afterwards. By the time we left (right after lunch) you cuold hardly move near the entrance.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Loved that the article began with a quote from Henry Adams, that crusty old American historian who lovingly wrote about the religious treasures of mediaeval France. Only wealthy foreigners, like Adams, Bernard Berenson, and Edith Wharton, could access these sites for pleasure in the 19th century.
Glad I saw MSM once. Thanks for posting, MAINE GG
Glad I saw MSM once. Thanks for posting, MAINE GG
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<There's always Rocamadour, another pilgrimage site.>>
Yes, the "deuxième site de France," also hideously overrun with visitors and junk shops. But that's the way these pilgrimage sites have been since time immemorial - just more people there these days because everyone's arriving by car/bus, not on foot anymore.
Yes, the "deuxième site de France," also hideously overrun with visitors and junk shops. But that's the way these pilgrimage sites have been since time immemorial - just more people there these days because everyone's arriving by car/bus, not on foot anymore.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Sassy. One of my peak travel experiences was arrving later than planned to M St M. Most of the buses had left. We stayed in a room in the wall and when the power went out everything was candlelit. We had one of those omlettes they make over a fire.
I'm planning the same approach at Capri early this Fall. We hope to take a late ferry over when many of the tourist have departed.
I'm planning the same approach at Capri early this Fall. We hope to take a late ferry over when many of the tourist have departed.
#15
I actually read that once the day trippers leave, it is a totally different experience. On my tour it did seem so crowded going and coming from the main street out to the car park and it was during October and a weekday.
#17
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the "deuxième site de France," also hideously overrun with visitors and junk shops.>
You could say the same thing about the most well known towns in the Dordogne - the whole area is overrun with tourists in summer - avoid the area if you do not want places overrun with tourists in July and August anyway.
You could say the same thing about the most well known towns in the Dordogne - the whole area is overrun with tourists in summer - avoid the area if you do not want places overrun with tourists in July and August anyway.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IME, Mont-Saint-Michel was magical after day trippers left! It was a mob scene before then, although I thought it worth it nonetheless to see the spring tide sweep in and to visit the monastery.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<the whole area is overrun with tourists in summer - avoid the area if you do not want places overrun with tourists in July and August anyway.>>
Not quite true at all. You just have to know where to go and what roads to use to get around the bottlenecks. I really don't think this area is one of your specialties, Pal. When was the last time you were there, and how often have you visited and in what seasons? Do you know Tamniès or St-Géniès or St-Chamassy or Audrix or Paunac or Meyrals or Campagne or St-Alvère or La-Chapelle-Aubareil, or.....? Sure, if you follow Little Ricky Steves, it's a zoo in high season. But it's entirely possible to miss the hordes if you want to.
Not quite true at all. You just have to know where to go and what roads to use to get around the bottlenecks. I really don't think this area is one of your specialties, Pal. When was the last time you were there, and how often have you visited and in what seasons? Do you know Tamniès or St-Géniès or St-Chamassy or Audrix or Paunac or Meyrals or Campagne or St-Alvère or La-Chapelle-Aubareil, or.....? Sure, if you follow Little Ricky Steves, it's a zoo in high season. But it's entirely possible to miss the hordes if you want to.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
davidmauniz
United States
0
Dec 8th, 2017 04:16 AM