St Michael's Mount Hosts European Network of Saint-Michel Sites

St Michael's Mount hosted the Annual General Assembly of the European Network of Saint-Michel Sites and Pathways from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 October, the first time the gathering has taken place in the UK.

The Network brings together places across Europe dedicated to St Michael and the old pilgrim routes that link them. Formally established in 2013, it helps sites large and small work together and share what they know and encourages people to walk the paths between them. Its President is David Nicolas, Mayor of Avranches, the town that looks across the bay to Mont-Saint-Michel, a long time friend of the Mount and the St Aubyn family.

Representatives came in person from:

• Mont-Saint-Michel, the island abbey and village rising above the tidal bay in Normandy.
• Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, a chapel on the summit of a volcanic rock near Le Puy-en-Velay.
• Saint-Michel de Cuxa, an abbey in the foothills of Mount Canigou in the French Pyrenees.
• San Miguel de Aralar, a mountain sanctuary among the peaks of the Sierra de Aralar in Navarre, Spain.

As well as the Assembly meeting itself, there was an impromptu boat trip, a tour of the castle and garden, and a presentation on the Mount's history and how the island works today. Supper in the castle marked the happy occasion. 

For some it was their first visit to the Mount, for us it was a privilege to welcome them. It was a very special few days where we learnt a lot from each other and cemented connections old and new. 

Find out more about the European Network of Saint-Michel Sites and Pathways below.