Par
Pascale Brassinne
Published on
Jan 21, 2025 at 6:40 a.m.
The Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is managed by the Center for National Monuments. He is in charge of its conservation, restoration and opening to the public, as he is for 109 other heritage sites in France.
Marie Lavandier, its president, met, Thursday January 16, the agents of this UNESCO world heritage, as she does for the 1,500 employees, on the occasion of her well-wishing tour.
Gastronomy “at fairly low prices”
During this annual event, she presented the projects for 2025. First and foremost, the opening of the restaurant Mauviel 1830 in the Logis Sainte-Catherine, where starred chef Jean Imbert signed the menu.
“It is a long-standing project, carried out by the CMN and Thomas Velter for the public establishment, with the desire to rediscover this building and give it a new use. In 2021, the Center des monuments nationaux launched a service concession procedure for the operation of a restaurant for the next fifteen years. The specifications are demanding to make it a quality place, with fairly low prices for this gastronomic offer, without pretension of setting an example to anyone.”
A new store at Mont Saint-Michel
The opening of a store in the Boucle Tower had already been announced. The work is in progress. It is expected to open in spring or early summer 2025.
“This store will offer a different offer from that at the exit of the abbey tour circuit or that of the Tourist Information Center, near the departure of the shuttles,” indicates Thomas Velter.
Mont Saint-Michel the bay, the village, the abbey, a brand
“The setting will be more cozy, in a marine atmosphere,” explains Marie Lavandier. Visitors will be able to buy items from the Mont Saint-Michel brand, the bay, the village, the abbey, “created to evoke who we are”, food or craft products, tableware, decorative objects… made in proximity “and the signature of the CMN with its range of books”. A guarantee of additional revenue for the conservation and animation of the site.
An artist from Brazil in spring
The president also quickly mentioned a contemporary art exhibition in collaboration with the National Center for Visual Arts. “Brazilian artist Simon Morales will present an installation in the abbey around the ocean, which will be outside and inside.” An exhibition announced for spring.
-Restoration work
“The major deadlines in terms of restoration for the next decade will be the subject of a master plan,” announced Marie Lavandier. “It will allow us to prioritize the work to be carried out.”
Since 2009, 32 million euros have been invested in around thirty restoration and maintenance operations on this site, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979. They must satisfy four objectives.
Maintenance is not necessarily major work, but monitoring and small actions. The opportunity to restore the nobility of these professions
The enhancement of architecture and natural spaces “with specific work to awaken the natural beauty of the site. In 2026, we will consider landscaping the cloister, in keeping with the heritage.”
Last but not least: the welcome, safety and well-being of visitors and agents. “Lighting is part of this, taking into account its ecological and economic impact.”
The Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is an asset and not a burden.
And Marie Lavandier, the president of the CMN, concludes: “When we talk about budget, we mainly talk about expenses. We have to be creative to invent uses. The restaurant is one, which will generate a royalty. Our establishment has a lot of resources, a lot of team commitment and open-mindedness. This monument is an asset and not a burden. We must also count on the public’s attachment to him. The site welcomed 2.7 million visitors.”
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