Ramparts of Mont-Saint-Michel

The Ramparts of Mont-Saint-Michel wrap around the lower part of the tidal island, protecting the village that climbs the rock below the abbey. Most of the walls and towers were built or strengthened in the 13th to 15th centuries, above all during the Hundred Years' War, when a small garrison held the Mont against repeated English sieges. The island was never taken, and two English cannons abandoned in the 15th century, known as the Michelettes, are still displayed near the entrance.

Walking the ramparts is free and offers a welcome alternative to the crowded Grande Rue. Stairways from the main street lead up to the wall walk, which passes towers such as the Tour du Roy, the Tour de la Liberté and the Tour du Nord. From the walls, the views open across the bay: the sands and channels stretching away at low tide, the islet of Tombelaine to the north, and the bridge-walkway linking the Mont to the mainland. At the highest tides, the ramparts become one of the best places to watch the sea surround the island.

The walk involves steps and uneven surfaces, and sections can be busy in the middle of the day in summer. Early morning and evening are calmer, and the light over the bay is often at its best then. The ramparts can be combined with the climb to the abbey, as they connect with the upper parts of the village.