The first sanctuary to Archangel Michael on the now famous Mont St Michel was established by Bishop Aubert in 708.
In a vision, Michael instructed him to build a sanctuary in his name on the woody island of Mont Tombe. Legend tells us that it took three of these appearances to persuade Aubert to start building, and we are told that in the final attempt Michael poked Aubert in the head, making a hole in his skull.
Vision of Archangel Michael to Bishop Aubert, Mont St Michel, July 2020
Mont St Michel has grown and changed since its establishment in the 8th century, but there is still a small chapel there named for Bishop Aubert. It sits at the base of the island on a large lump of rock, which is said to be the piece chopped from the top of the island to make a level surface on which to build the abbey.
Abbey of Aubert at bottom right, Mont St Michel, July 2020
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 8 August 2020
Posted as part of Lens-Artists
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Travel with Intent 
That is one of the places in my bucket list. Somehow I never managed to go there while I was living in France.
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Had never heard that story Debbie so thanks for sharing. Such a special place. I remember my visit years ago. Spectacular
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I love these improbable old legends. This is a good one.
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Wonderful photographs Debbie, I especially love the way you captured the light on the Vision of Archangel Michael and the way the eye is drawn to the small chapel in the bottom right of the last image. Thank you so much for this beautiful contribution to the challenge! 💜
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Oh, and I linked to this for 6 words, wrongly!
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So I just spotted – I wondered why I couldn’t find your link when I had just approved it! 🙂
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Oh, most interesting
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