Mont Saint-Michel becomes island again with bridge connecting to mainland

Publish date: 2024-02-22

A revolutionary new footbridge connecting the historic site of Mont Saint-Michel to the mainland has been officially opened.

The 2,500ft bridge features a footpath for pedestrians as well as a road for shuttle buses to access the 1,300-year-old abbey and medieval village situated just off the coastline of Normandy in northern France.

The structure will replace the 135-year-old causeway that first connected the island to the mainland, and which is set to be torn down next year. 

A revolutionary new footbridge at the historic site of Mont Saint Michel has officially been opened

A revolutionary new footbridge at the historic site of Mont Saint Michel has officially been opened

The 2,500ft bridge features a footpath for pedestrians as well as a road for shuttle buses

The 2,500ft bridge features a footpath for pedestrians as well as a road for shuttle buses

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The new bridge has been built on stilts, allowing water to flow freely around the monument and turning the monument back into an island for the first time in 135 year.

Originally connected by a primitive road built in 1879 and which was covered by water at high tide, a raised concrete structure was developed several years later.

However, the development prevented the tide from removing silt around the mount, causing a huge build up.

The problem worsened in 1969, when the government built a dam on the Couesnon River to protect farmlands from high tide, but it further reduced the power of the river to push the silt back into the sea.

The bridge allows water to flow freely around the island, and will help to remove the build-up of silt

The bridge allows water to flow freely around the island, and will help to remove the build-up of silt

The structure is supported by a series of 134 pillars – each with a height of nearly 40ft

The structure is supported by a series of 134 pillars – each with a height of nearly 40ft

Although the bridge opened to pedestrians in July, today marked the official inauguration

Although the bridge opened to pedestrians in July, today marked the official inauguration

The newly designed walkway and road allow the water to flow freely around the island, and will help remove the build-up of silt around the mount.

The structure is supported by a series of 134 pillars – each with a height of nearly 40ft.

Unlike the original road, which led straight out across the water, the new design follows a curving route that opens up wide views of the bay.

Although the bridge, designed by architect Dietmar Feichtinger, opened to pedestrians in July, today was the official inauguration and it marked the first time that visitors have been able to use the shuttles on the bridge.

The project also includes the removal of the old causeway and its visitor car park which was situated at the base of the monastery for around 40 years and which accommodated around 600,000 vehicles each year.

Mont Saint-Michel was originally connected by a primitive road that was built in 1879

Mont Saint-Michel was originally connected by a primitive road that was built in 1879

The structure will replace the 135-year-old causeway that first connected the island to the mainland

The structure will replace the 135-year-old causeway that first connected the island to the mainland

The project also includes the removal of the old visitor car park which was situated at the monastery's base

The project also includes the removal of the old visitor car park which was situated at the monastery's base

Instead, visitors to the site will use a car park located about 1.2 miles away on the mainland, and will travel to Mont Saint-Michel on foot, or by using a shuttle service.

The French government decided 20 years ago to turn the site into an island again, but work did not start until 2005, and the project has cost a total of £166.5m.

‘The intention of the project is to guarantee the continuity of the landscape as far as the eye can see,’ said the design team. ‘The project set itself the imperative of not disturbing the atmosphere and the wonder of the site.’

Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's top five tourist attractions and welcomes up to 9,000 visitors a day

Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's top five tourist attractions and welcomes up to 9,000 visitors a day

Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's top five tourist attractions.

A Norman Benedictine abbey and monastery sit at the island's centre, surrounded by the winding streets and elaborate architecture of the tiny medieval town.

The island has a permanent population of 43, half of them monks, attracts up to 9,000 visitors a day during the summer.

The site was added to Unesco’s list of World Heritage Sites - one of the first to be granted the coveted status – 1979.

The Benedictine abbey was built between the 11th and 16th centuries and used as a jail in the French Revolution. Victor Hugo is said to have remarked that Mont Saint-Michel was to France what the Great Pyramids are to Egypt.

The redesign is part of a bigger project to overhaul the tourist experience, which is visited by 2.5 million people every year.

More money will made available by the French government to market the attraction and the possibility of staying on the island instead of just a day trip.

Visitors from India, Brazil, China and South Korea will be targeted in the next advertising campaign.

 

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