00:00It's become a common sound around this usually peaceful island.
00:15Early in the morning, Mont-Saint-Michel is awakened with helicopter noise.
00:20It's the only way to transport scaffolding to the abbey.
00:24It's flown in and out the same way.
00:28How do things get up here? We are 80 meters high, so it has to get up here.
00:34Hence the helicopter.
00:36We have no other option.
00:38Over the next few months, these supply halls are going to be more frequent
00:43because Mont-Saint-Michel is deteriorating.
00:46The abbey has survived wars, fires and storms.
00:49But behind this picturesque site, that draws 3 million visitors annually,
00:54lies another reality.
00:56Its walls are crumbling. Restorations are desperately needed.
01:00As the curator shows us on this magnificent lace staircase.
01:06Due to the erosion, the joints are gradually deteriorating, creating a crack in the stone and masonry,
01:13that water can penetrate. So eventually, it could fall.
01:17This part of the church is closed off to the public.
01:21We're on the upper terrace.
01:23The pinnacles, gargoyles and flying buttresses are being eaten away by moss, further weakening them.
01:31They all need to be brushed and cleaned.
01:33Many cracks have also began to appear in the floor, and there are plants to cover them with lead.
01:39The result of water seepage can be seen inside the church, where the walls have started to turn green.
01:47It's a combination of moss and algae that retain water, which circulates through its stems.
01:54Now, it might fall if we don't fix it.
01:57There are also potential hazards on the outside.
02:01Some stones threaten to fall.
02:03These steeplejacks were called in for urgent repairs.
02:06Can you send down the shackle, please?
02:08All good?
02:09Yep.
02:10They'll put up netting to secure the rocks until further structural work is done.
02:16We're going to set up an access point to be ready for some masonry work later.
02:23All of this restoration work will be financed by the state.
02:28Around 50 million euros over 10 years.
02:31But on the other hand, you can see that the pace needs to pick up, because the damage to the monument is getting worse.
02:40This little-known chapel, situated at the foot of the mont, will be repaired thanks to a fundraising effort.
02:48Private donors have come together to replace the stained glass windows, clean the walls and restore its statue.
02:56You see, you have the statue of Saint-Aubert, who is the Bishop of Avranches, who had the vision to create Mont Saint-Michel.
03:03It will be completely cleaned and regain its splendor.
03:06The interior will also get renovated.
03:09In total, 100,000 euros will be raised, of which 70,000 has already been pledged.
03:15Visitors are not necessarily aware that there is this chapel.
03:17And one of the aims of this restoration project is to shine a spotlight on this chapel.
03:21The first round of works restored the splendor of this part of the abbey, known as La Merveille.
03:28It's been returned to its former glory, with a newly rebuilt bell tower and its spire of the Archangel Saint Michael, regilded in 2016, standing tall against the passage of time.
03:40And this is the passage of time.
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