Membership
Full €50 · Couple €30 · Reduced €20 · Scouts & Guides €20 (one per patrol/team/clan).
Hospitality · Way of Mont saint Michel
Saint Margaret Pilgrim Sheepfold
Reopening the last Hospitality on the Way of Mont saint Michel
« Where the sensory experience of the Profane meets the Sacred. »
◇ Spirit of the place ◇
A halt on the pilgrim's way
Halfway between Caen and Mont saint Michel, the Priory of Saint Léonard rises since the Merovingian era on the promontory overlooking the bay. A place of peace, listening and inner freedom, it welcomes again the pilgrim on the « via Anglica », at the crossroads of the Dukes' way from Caen and the Via Angelica from Mont Gargano. The Saint Margaret Pilgrim Sheepfold reopens its doors there — as the last hospitality before crossing to the Mount.
◇ History and roots ◇
A thousand-year tradition of welcome
The welcoming of pilgrims and walkers at the Priory of Saint Léonard is attested from 1025, last halt before crossing to the Mount. In 1087, William the Conqueror gave these lands to Saint-Étienne Abbey of Caen; the shepherds of the bay — guardians of salt and flocks — were already welcoming the miquelots on the sand path. The 1634 cadastral map attests to the sheepfold's existence. Today, on this same stone foundation, hospitality revives.
Operation
DONATIVO · €10–15/night suggested
Sleeping
12 mats in the hayloft
Bathroom
A shared bathroom: shower, sink, WC
Season
Open from 1 April to 1 November
Donativo
Free suggested contribution €10–15 per night, paid on site
Host
A village host ensures welcome and upkeep
Management
Carried by the « Friends of the Priory of Saint Léonard » association
Partners & networks
- ◇« Ways of Mont saint Michel » association
- ◇Abbeys of Normandy
- ◇European Federation of Saint Léonard
- ◇San Leonardo di Siponto Abbey (Foggia, Italy)
Restoration budget
€32,000
- Thatched roof€12,000
- Framing€5,000
- Bathroom (shower, sink, WC)€4,000
- Kitchen & equipment€4,000
- Mats & bedding (hayloft)€4,000
- Miscellaneous€3,000
Membership · Donations · Services
To support the life of the Sheepfold beyond the donativo, several paths are open:
Free donation
A donation of the amount of your choice, by cheque or online.
Services
Contribution in services: maintenance, gardening, hosting, translations, photos, etc. Please write to us.
★ The association is recognised as being of general interest: memberships and donations entitle French tax residents to a tax receipt (66% income tax reduction within 20% of taxable income, Art. 200 of the French Tax Code).
◇ RÈGLEMENT ◇
Sheepfold's house rules
Hospitality follows the tradition of pilgrim hospitalities. To preserve the serenity of the place and the respect of everyone, here are the rules shared by hosts and pilgrims.
◇ Hospitality at the Sheepfold ◇
Stay request
Express your interest in staying at the Pilgrim Sheepfold. Our host will get back to you to confirm availability. Capacity: 12 mats in the hayloft.