Date

Circa 1910

A barbican is an outwork in Medieval fortifications, such as gate towers, but more frequently an advance work used to flank the approach to a gateway. Benedictine abbey on an island off the coast of Normandy, France. During the Hundred Years War the fortifications of Mont-Saint-Michel were reinforced (1420-1449), and the Romanesque choir collapsed (1421). Construction of the present chevet began in 1448. In 1622 the abbey became part of the Congregation of St Maur; the three western nave bays and the façade were destroyed and replaced with a large terrace. The abbey was dissolved at the Revolution (1789-1795), and it was used as a prison in the 19th century. It was severely burnt in 1856, but thorough restorations were not undertaken until 1874. The architects included Edouard Jules Corroyer, Victor Petitgrand, Paul Emile Antoine Gout (1852-1923) and Y. M. Froidevaux. The buildings of Mont-Saint-Michel are constructed of granite, but there is some limestone in the cloister.