Plans are underway to modify access to Mont Saint-Michel (Saint Michael’s Mount), the spectacular Benedictine abbey on a rocky island off Normandy, France.
With 3 million visitors annually, Mont Saint-Michel is the most visited site in provincial France due to the unique eighth century abbey set atop a granite pinnacle.
The controversial access changes mean that tourists will have to walk at least two kilometers (1.25 miles) round trip. Tourism professionals are concerned that this will discourage many people from visiting the popular attraction.
There have been similar developments at other popular tourist attractions in order to preserve the ecology of the area in the face of overwhelming tourist traffic.
The new parking lot will open on April 28, 2012, and the committee will review the new shuttle service over the summer to ensure it is meeting the demand, and make its final recommendation as of November 2012.