Nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe 2015.
Opening for pedestrians : 07|2014
Opening for shuttle busses : 11 | 2014
Official inauguration (after destruction of the old causeway) : 03 | 2015
Creating a new access to one of the most remarkable cultural monuments and landscapes in Europe is a rare challenge for the design of a causeway.
The estuary of the Couesnon River surprises by the immensity of the bay surrounding the Mont Saint-Michel, by the beauty of light and the colours of the natural elements. The changing sea level by tides rising up to 14 m, creates a repeated event exposing the forces of nature and offers a variety of landscapes alternating between land reaching far out into the sea on low tide and the water filled bay with the Mont transformed into an island as only landmark on high tide. This radical change contributes to the magic of the site.
The minimal slope of the estuary and one of the world’s highest differences between tides accentuate the phenomenon: the sea is approaching the coast like galloping horses according to Victor Hugo.
The natural site contrasted by man’s impact
Built on a rock in the bay, the medieval town of Mont Saint Michel topped by its abbey and monastery represents a major cultural landmark on one of the most visited sites in France. The Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay are part of the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites since 1979.
In 1897 a dam exceeding the highest level of high tide was built to connect the land to the Mont Saint Michel Island to assure permanent safe access for visitors. By obstructing the Couesnon River partially sand was accumulating approaching the continent to the island.
In order to preserve the island a new causeway and a 756 meters long jetty replace the existing road allowing water to circulate and to restore the insularity of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
The new causeway and jetty, a delicate answer
In this sensitive context human intervention is delicate. The new causeway and jetty with a total length of two kilometres search for continuity and perfect integration into the site.
The jetty’s design blends into the landscape by achieving a maximum of transparency. Perfectly horizontal, the deck merges into the horizon contrasting the verticality of the abbey. Its slenderness is achieved by a sequence of 134 pillars with only 24,4 cm of diameter and a distance of 12metres between each pair. Obstruction to water is minimized. The pillars are fixed on the bottom into the foundation –concrete pillars with a diameter of 120cm founded on rock about 30 meters under sea level - and on top to the deck avoiding any diagonal structural element to achieve its pure appearance.
Walking on water
From the mainland to the Mont, the general geometry forms a continuous curve. Slightly offset to the East before turning back, it offers a variety of views. The jetty becomes part of the bay following the smooth lines designed by water.
The new causeway and jetty assure a safe walkway for visitors as well as a central roadway for shuttle services.
Bi-directional shuttle busses assure the connection of the new parking on the continent to the Island using the central part with a width of 6m50. It grows constantly up to a width of 8m50 at the terminal which is situated in a distance of 300 meters to the entrance in the defense wall of the Mont.
Walkways for pedestrians run along the road on either side with varying widths according to the expected crowd of pedestrians: a main connection 4m50 wide on the west side – 5m50 on the terminal, a secondary walkway 1m50 wide on the east – 2m50 on the terminal.
The central road carries the walkways on cantilevers, large balconies offering fantastic perspectives. The columns are situated under the central part. The shadow of the balcony enforces their discrete appearance.
During high tide sea level is just under the level of the deck giving the impression of walking on water.
The last two hundred meters of the jetty are descending by 1% leading to a concrete platform facing the Mont. The platform is submerged several days a year on high tide and provides total insularity of the Mont Saint-Michel.
Rough untreated materiality
A transversal steel structure carries the concrete deck in the center. On each side of the roadway, cantilevers - T-formed steel consoles - support a wooden deck.
Few materials are applied harmonizing with the colours of the bay. Whenever possible they are applied untreated. The modification of the aspect with time and weather conditions corresponds to the roughness of the medieval constructions.
The main structure in steel is coated with a metallic light grey finishing on the anti-corrosion complex. All connections of the main steel structure are welded allowing a clear legibility of forces.
The central part supports a concrete slab accessible for vehicles up to 38 tons, with asphalt coating hydro treated and polished.
The deck of the walkways on the sides is in oak wood without treatment. The wood cladding is factory pre mounted forming panels with stainless steel fixation underneath.
The curved handrail is also in oak wood composed by three elements and mounted on steel posts. Horizontal pre stressed stainless steel cables provide the filling of the railing.
Separation elements are installed between the road and the main walkway on the west made of untreated fibre concrete mounted on steel posts. Like a continuous bench they offer seating to rest and contemplate the site.
Discrete lighting
Light is discrete. It guides the visitors and underlines the walk path. The splendour of the lit up monument contrasts with the spare light on the access paths.
LED light bars are fixed underneath the separation element and underline the horizontality with indirect light.
Guiding lights are integrated in the wooden panels on the small east part and on the causeway.
All supplies – water, electricity, telecommunication - for the village situated on the island are integrated in the access road. They are situated under the concrete slab. Exposed to walkers in the bay the tubes are part of the design and carefully integrated.
The formal simplicity allows perfect integration. It hides the complexity of a sophisticated technical approach.
The coherence of the architectural and technical approach reflects the ambition to magnify this beautiful site.