Development of Mont Saint-Michel
n prehistoric times the bay was land, but as sea levels increased, erosion shaped the coastal landscape and several blocks of granite emerged in the bay, resisting the ocean way better than the surrounding rocks. These included Lillemer, the Mont-Dol, Tombelaine and Mont Tombe, later called Mont Saint-Michel.
Over the centuries, the coastal flats have been polderised to create pasture. The south coast of Mont Saint-Michel has thus become farther to the shore and the mount. William de Volpiano, an Italian architect, was chosen as building contractor by Richard II of Normandy in the 11th century. He planned the Romanesque church of Mont Saint-Michel abbey, placing the transept crossing right at the top of the mount. Many underground crypts and chapels had to be built to balance this weight, forming the basis for the upward structure that can be seen nowadays. Today Mont Saint-Michel is seen as a Gothic-style church.
Robert de Thorigny, a great supporter of Henry II of England, reinforced the structure of the buildings and built the main façade of Mont Saint-Michel church in the 12th century. In 1204, fire started in the borough by Guy de Thouars extended to the buildings, and thus the roof fell prey to flames. As a consequence, Philip Augustus offered Abbot Jourdain a grant for the construction of a new Gothic-style architectural set which included the addition of the refectory and cloister to the remnants of the building in Mont Saint-Michel. Charles VI is credited with adding major fortifications to the abbey-mount, building towers, successive courtyards and strengthening the ramparts.
