Mont Saint-Michel (white-black) by Luc De Cock

Mont Saint-Michel is built on a rocky islet. Over the centuries, all kinds of architectural gems have been built here: the pre-Romanesque church, the 11th- and 15th-century abbey church, and Romanesque and Gothic monastery buildings. During the French Revolution, the abbey was used as a prison, but since 1874 it has housed the Department of Historical Monuments. There is even a (small) monastic community present again, since 1969.

Mont Saint-Michel is also called - quite rightly - the Wonder of the West. And this is partly because of its spectacular location; the Mont is surrounded by a beautiful bay. The difference between low and high tide is extremely large (nowhere in France is it greater).

A few years ago, after years of work, the Mont regained its original character: the rocky islet is once again beautiful in the water. If nothing had been done, by 2040 the Mont would be surrounded by marshy meadows. Yet the monks who settled here in the Middle Ages chose the spot precisely because of its location in the sea. They built one of the most remarkable structures in ecclesiastical history there. It all started with Aubert, bishop of Avranches. He is said to have erected a shrine on Mont-Tombe in 708 after the archangel Michael appeared there three times. The rest is history... Today, you can overlook the entire bay from the abbey on Mont-Tombe. Literally and figuratively the highlight of your visit!