This page simply reformats the Flickr public Atom feed for purposes of finding inspiration through random exploration. These images are not being copied or stored in any way by this website, nor are any links to them or any metadata about them. All images are © their owners unless otherwise specified.
This site is a busybee project and is supported by the generosity of viewers like you.
The Abbey Steeple or Bell Tower of Mont-Saint-Michel is a prominent architectural feature rising above the abbey church at the summit of the mount. The bell tower is topped by a neo-Gothic spire dating from 1897, modeled after the spire of Notre Dame de Paris. Historically, the tower has undergone several transformations: in the Middle Ages, it featured a high Gothic spire flanked by six smaller pyramidions; in the 17th century, this was replaced by a bulbous bell tower; and in the 18th century, a platform was added to accommodate the Chappe telegraph system. The current spire is crowned by a gilded statue of the Archangel Michael, the abbey’s patron saint. The bell tower has been struck by lightning multiple times, occasionally causing fires in its wooden structure. It stands as a symbolic and visual focal point of the abbey, visible from the surrounding bay and terraces.
Gabriel's Tower (Tour Gabriel) on Mont-Saint-Michel is a machicolated cylindrical tower built around 1524 as part of the island’s western defensive structures. It was designed to protect the storerooms known as the Entrepôt des Fanils and the west side of the mount. Over time, the tower has served various roles including a mill and later a lighthouse guiding boats entering the Couesnon River, although the river is now mostly silted and no longer navigable. The tower is notable for its three levels equipped for cannon defense, reflecting its military purpose during the 16th century. Today, it stands as a prominent landmark on the western quay, offering scenic views of the bay and is part of the ramparts open to visitors.
The Tower of the King (Tour du Roi) on Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the main fortified towers guarding the entrance to the mount. It is part of the defensive structures built primarily during the 15th century to protect the abbey and village, especially during the Hundred Years' War. The Tower of the King is located near the King's Gate (Porte du Roi), which was heavily fortified with a ditch, drawbridge, and portcullis, and flanked by this tower and the Arcade Tower (Tour de l’Arcade). The tower played a key role in defending the causeway and the approach to Mont-Saint-Michel from attacks. It remains a prominent and easily recognizable feature, often flying the French national flag, and is accessible to visitors exploring the ramparts and fortifications of the mount.
