Rising dramatically from the tidal flats of Normandy, Le Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s most iconic landmarks. This rocky island, crowned by a medieval abbey, has been a place of pilgrimage, worship, and wonder for over a thousand years. The story begins in the early 8th century, when tradition holds that the Archangel Michael appeared to Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, instructing him to build a sanctuary on the rocky islet. Construction of the first church began in 708, and by the 10th century Benedictine monks had established an abbey here. Through the centuries, Le Mont Saint-Michel developed into a remarkable blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The abbey church, cloisters, and refectory crown the summit, while below lies a labyrinth of narrow alleys and winding paths lined with stone houses, shops, and fortified walls. Its slender spire, topped with a golden statue of Saint Michael, rises high above the bay and can be seen from miles away. Equally fascinating is the island’s natural setting. Surrounded by vast mudflats and some of Europe’s most extreme tides, the mount can be cut off from the mainland within hours. For centuries, pilgrims risked quicksand and rushing waters to reach this sacred site. Today, a modern causeway ensures year-round access, though the tidal spectacle remains as dramatic as ever. Le Mont Saint-Michel also played a role in history beyond religion. During the Hundred Years’ War, it was a strategic stronghold that resisted repeated English assaults. Later, during the French Revolution, the abbey was transformed into a prison before restoration efforts in the 19th century revived its spiritual and cultural significance. In 1979, UNESCO recognized Le Mont Saint-Michel and its bay as a World Heritage Site, preserving both the remarkable abbey and its unique natural environment. Today, it attracts millions of visitors each year, who come to climb to the abbey, wander its maze-like streets, and take in the sweeping views of sea and sky. Le Mont Saint-Michel endures as both a masterpiece of medieval architecture and a symbol of resilience, faith, and the enduring relationship between human creation and the forces of nature. 回