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🏰 Mont Saint-Michel's Magical Village: A VR Stroll Through La Vieille Auberge

Shauna November 27, 2018

🏰 Mont Saint-Michel's Magical Village: A VR Stroll Through La Vieille Auberge

The charming village and cemetery of Mont Saint-Michel, with the Abbey towering above.
The village and cemetery, tucked beneath the towering Abbey.

While the towering Abbey is the crown jewel of Mont Saint-Michel, the real magic for me is found in the journey, not just the destination. After you descend from the heavens of the Abbey, you're drawn into the charming, winding streets of the medieval village below. This is La Vieille Auberge ("The Old Inn"), a labyrinth of hidden treasures, secret 12-inch-wide alleyways, and captivating medieval doors, each with its own story. This post is a guide to getting lost, finding the quiet local corners, and discovering the hidden treasures of this magical island town.

🌟 The Golden Nugget

Don't Miss This: Hunt for the "secret" 12-inch-wide alley! As you explore the village, you'll find a tiny, nondescript passage that is so narrow most people walk right by. There's often a small line of curious tourists waiting to squeeze through, and it's a fun, memorable experience that makes you feel like you've discovered a true medieval secret.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE VILLAGE

This immersive Google Street View trail takes you away from the main tourist crowds and into the quiet, residential alleys of Mont Saint-Michel. This is where you can feel the true, peaceful pulse of the island.

Immersive VR 360° Stroll by the Local Homes:

"Crazy as it may sound, I was captivated by the very unique and fun doors here. Some felt like medieval adorable doors, others had stories of the prison doors they were. Each I am sure has a very interesting story."

🗺️ Adventure at a Glance

  • 🏞️ Location/Park: The village of Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
  • 🥾 Hike/Activity: Village exploration, photography, finding hidden alleyways.
  • 📏 Distance: 1-2 miles of walking on cobblestone streets and stairs.
  • 📈 Elevation Gain: Lots of stairs, but less than the Abbey.
  • ⏳ Recommended Time: 1-2 hours (in addition to the Abbey).
  • ⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
  • 🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The narrow alleys, the local church, the cemetery, and the unique medieval doors.

🥾 My Stroll Through the Village

The Main Street and its Secrets

As you walk up the main street (Grande Rue), it's bustling with tourists, shops, and restaurants. It's a fun experience, but the real treasures are hidden. As I was walking, I spotted a fun shop full of medieval weapons. It turned out to be one of the "secret" entrances to the La Vieille Auberge area, a network of quieter, more authentic-feeling streets. I became fascinated with the doors—each one was so unique, from charming medieval designs to heavy, imposing doors that hinted at the island's past as a prison.

The Quiet Side: The Church & Cemetery

The best part of exploring is finding the "locals" area. Tucked away from the crowds is the small town church and its tiny cemetery. It was a moment of peace and quiet, and the view from the cemetery, looking out over the tiered houses and the vast bay, was absolutely stunning. I was hopeful for ancient tombstones, but the island is too small for that—it's clearly a place where they have to recycle the plots. It was a fascinating glimpse into the real, living community that exists on this famous rock.

A quiet residential home in the village.

💡 Your Visitor's Guide: Helpful Hints

  • ♦️ Part 1 of the Adventure: This post is the perfect companion to my guide on exploring the Abbey at Mont Saint-Michel. Plan to do both!
  • ♦️ Quicksand Warning: It's worth repeating: DO NOT walk on the mudflats around the island without a certified guide. Quicksand is a very real danger, and you can often see rescue crews heading out for tourists.
  • ♦️ Explore for Free: While the Abbey requires a ticket, exploring the village, ramparts, and alleyways is completely free.
  • ♦️ Learn More: For a fascinating read on the massive, controversial project to save the island from sediment buildup, check out this article from Smithsonian Magazine.

🔎 VR Video Treasure Hunt!

When you take the immersive 360° stroll, see if you can find these hidden gems!

  • The Local's Church: Can you find the small, quiet church where the island's residents worship?
  • The Cemetery View: Look for the peaceful cemetery and the stunning view it has over the village roofs and the bay.
  • Medieval Doors: Spot the many unique and ancient doors—how many different styles can you find?
  • The Narrowest Alleys: Find the tightest, most narrow cobblestone passageways.

More Adventures in France

⭐ Final Thoughts

While the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is the grand destination, the heart of the island lives in its winding streets. Taking the time to get lost in these ancient alleyways is where you truly feel the history of the place. It’s a delightful adventure that feels like stepping back in time.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,

Shauna from VRGetaway

Mont Saint Michel
In the early days even before 700AD the French coastline was in constant attack from various groups including the Vikings and many others.  In 708, the archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranches, and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet.  It was brilliant advice, for all the people had to do was to keep invaders outside the wall until the tide came in.  If they could hold off just that long, the tide would wash them away and they would remain safe.  It has kept this town safe from multiple invasions. The new bridge has kept some of the water from rising as high, but there still is many spots that have quicksand around the island, so it is advised to not go wandering around the island without a guide.  While visitng  here you often hear ambulances sent out to rescue people that brave walking the perimeter without a guide.  

Besides having such a wonderful history with Angel Michael (which my religion believes was also Adam), this town has so many treasures, and hidden secrets to find.  There is one alley that is hidden that is seriously only 12 inches wide that people stand in line to squeeze through to see what is beyond there, and crazy as it may sound I was captivated but the very unique and fun doors here.   

View outside the small town church into the street where the locals live. 

This area is away from the tourist area where the locals live.  This area has a quieter pulse and is relaxing and delightful.  Below is the local Cemetery that is a little tricky to find, but if you find the local church, it is just outside from it.
House in La Vieille Aubrege Mont Saint Michel


Try viewing this on a VR Headset.  You can view using the Google Earth VR app, Google Maps or by using the Street View app. 



A view inside the Town Cemetery.  

I was hopeful for some very cool old tombstones, but the town is just too small.  It is definitely a cemetery where they have to recycle the plots.
View off the East side of Mont Saint Michel over the town. 



Below is a walk through in the town from the Cemetery.  Above is a view looking out to the east.  You can see this village is tiered and there are just stacks of tiny houses going down.

 

Mont Saint Michel


To give you a visual. this is a view of Mont Saint Michel, and the town we are wandering in is on the right side.



If you are enjoying these Virtual like walk through this area, here is an idea.  Click on the GoogleEarth Mont St Michel Link Below.  Click on the little Dude in the bottom right corner, and then any blue line or dot to see more. Then to enjoy is more, throw on a pair of VR Goggles, and go to Google Earth or Streetview App, and choose Mont St Michel, and then you can enjoy a virtual like vacation here today! 

WALK BY LOCAL HOMES IN MONT SAINT MICHEL



This area is so delightful, but seeing it from a drone is amazing.   Check out this awesome Drone Video done by Wanaii Films.  Amazing! 


Mont St Michel Entrance

View in front of entrance
Entrance into Mont Saint Michel


Weapons in shop in Mont Saint Michel that if you walk through get you into the town.


As you walk up the main street, there is a fun shop that has all sorts of weapons like above.   This is actually one of the secret entrances to the  La Vieille Auberge in Mont Saint Michel. 


Cool brick work on walls of Mont Saint Michel


North West side of Mont Saint Michel


View of the North West side of Town.  If you want to see inot the Abbey at Mont Saint Michel, here is that link.  

Blog Post of Abbey at Mont St Michel



I was fascinated with the Cool Doors.  Each one with its different personality and charm and feel.  
Some felt like the medieval adorable doors, others had stories of the prison doors they were.  Each I am sure has a very interesting story they could tell us if they could talk. 




Here is a Google Map List of some of my favorite quaint towns we visited on our Tour of France if that is helpful to see them all on a map.  

Shauna's Map List Of Favorite Places




Inside Church in La Vielle Auberge Mont Saint Michel/



Looking Outside and looking inside of this super cool Church Door.

If you liked this wonderful place, click on the Mont Saint Michel Google Earth link,
Mont-Saint-Michel Google Earth Link


Then click on the little dude in the bottom corner.  Then click on any blue line or dot where you want to see more. 

⭐ Final Thoughts

While the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is the grand destination, the heart of the island lives in its winding streets. Taking the time to get lost in these ancient alleyways is where you truly feel the history of the place. It’s a delightful adventure that feels like stepping back in time.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,

Shauna from VRGetaway


Shauna

Posted by Shauna