Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Old Crank

(7,009 posts)
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 08:51 AM Mar 17

Some landmark in northern France

Mont Saint Michel. Outside at low tide. I'll do another with interior pictures. The monastery is built over the top of the rock. They didn't level the hill. The weather was variable but the next day was sunny.











Pre Amazon deliveries

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Some landmark in northern France (Original Post) Old Crank Mar 17 OP
Thanks! LOVE MSM! The ceiling of the monastery church is wood, right? CurtEastPoint Mar 17 #1
Yes. Old Crank Mar 17 #16
Goosebumps just imagining what it feels like to be there in person. blm Mar 17 #2
The structure of the 4 piers holding the thing up Old Crank Mar 17 #17
Thanks. One place I might get on a plane for Easterncedar Mar 17 #3
I have a friend Old Crank Mar 17 #4
My husband and I visited BlueMTexpat Mar 17 #5
Thanks for the memories. Dave in VA Mar 17 #6
Thank you! ZDU Mar 17 #7
That astounding architectural feat... GiqueCee Mar 17 #8
The granite was brought from an island Old Crank Mar 17 #18
And then they had to time the tide with a sundial... GiqueCee Mar 17 #20
You would be devoted too Old Crank Wednesday #21
Ol' Michel... GiqueCee Wednesday #24
I have always wanted... 2naSalit Mar 17 #9
While making your bucket list --- Grammy23 Mar 17 #10
Daryl Dixon Season 1 and 2 was filmed there..... FarPoint Mar 17 #11
"Mindwalk" is an inspiring 1990 film about choices facing humanity, set entirely on Mont Saint Michel Simeon Salus Mar 17 #12
This message was self-deleted by its author AllaN01Bear Mar 17 #13
"" AllaN01Bear Mar 17 #14
Fascinating Old Crank! Really "Pre Amazon" Era. :) George McGovern Mar 17 #15
That rail system was driven by a pair Old Crank Mar 17 #19
Manual labour! Don't want to pass judgement, I wasn't there. But I'd not want to be a "hamster" there. George McGovern Wednesday #22
Evidently Old Crank Wednesday #23

Old Crank

(7,009 posts)
4. I have a friend
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 09:40 AM
Mar 17

Who doesn't like to fly, 80+, and he takes repositioning cruises to Europe when he can. 5-6 days and no jet lag. CAtch up on reading.

Dave in VA

(2,285 posts)
6. Thanks for the memories.
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 10:29 AM
Mar 17

We have been fortunate to have visited a couple of times. If life had allowed me to I would have been very happy to have lived in northern France.
Merci beaucoup por les belle memories !

GiqueCee

(4,177 posts)
8. That astounding architectural feat...
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 11:04 AM
Mar 17

... is over a thousand years old! Its construction spanned centuries, and it still stands, solid as the rock it's perched on. Amazing.
Just thinking about the labor involved boggles the mind. And they did it with NO heavy equipment, save wooden wagons and cranes.

Old Crank

(7,009 posts)
18. The granite was brought from an island
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 04:51 PM
Mar 17

About 40 kilometers away. That's a feat in and of itself.

GiqueCee

(4,177 posts)
20. And then they had to time the tide with a sundial...
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 06:04 PM
Mar 17

... so they didn't drown bringing the rocks across the mudflats! Now that's devotion!

Old Crank

(7,009 posts)
21. You would be devoted too
Wed Mar 18, 2026, 03:06 AM
Wednesday

If, as the story goes, St. Michel burned a hole in your head to get your attention....

Grammy23

(6,121 posts)
10. While making your bucket list ---
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 11:31 AM
Mar 17

Put this place somewhere near the top. Architecturally, it is stunning, especially on a sunny day! But even on a cloudy day, it is eye popping to see it and imagine what had to be done to build it. Inside, it is taking a giant leap backward in time. And watching the tide move to cover over the sand and dirt boggles your mind.

So make a note to yourself that this is a really cool place to see and experience!

FarPoint

(14,752 posts)
11. Daryl Dixon Season 1 and 2 was filmed there.....
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 11:40 AM
Mar 17

Lots of interior of the castle was used as well.... Go watch both seasons...Netflix, AMC Plus....

Simeon Salus

(1,634 posts)
12. "Mindwalk" is an inspiring 1990 film about choices facing humanity, set entirely on Mont Saint Michel
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 11:43 AM
Mar 17


Starring John Heard (as the poet), Sam Waterston (the politician), and Liv Ullman (the physicist), the movie is a series of fascinating personal discussions about physics and living with the inevitable consequences of knowing about science. The actors crawl over the island, the landmarks, and tidal beach.

It's a lovely film, and well worth watching just for the tourist elements.

Response to Old Crank (Original post)

Old Crank

(7,009 posts)
19. That rail system was driven by a pair
Tue Mar 17, 2026, 04:55 PM
Mar 17

Of people wheels.
Prisoners walked in large wheels like hamsters wheels to bring supplies up.

George McGovern

(11,922 posts)
22. Manual labour! Don't want to pass judgement, I wasn't there. But I'd not want to be a "hamster" there.
Wed Mar 18, 2026, 03:18 AM
Wednesday
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Photography»Some landmark in northern...