Mont-Saint-Michel, one of France’s most recognizable landmarks, is visited by more than 3 million people each year. The giant rock standing strong in the middle of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay is a sight to behold!
It’s not just a church on a rock; it’s a whole medieval city between the ramparts, with steep, cobblestone streets. It used to be a center of pilgrimage for medieval travelers. It was also a great fortress during the Middle Ages and once served as a prison. It was even a battlefield during the Hundred Years War. The Monks were expelled during the French Revolution and didn’t return until the 19th Century. It was one of the first monuments to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This remarkable medieval walled city, crowned by its great Gothic abbey, is surrounded by sand and sea. At low tide, it’s a tidal island, surrounded by sand. As the high tide slowly rolls in, it becomes an island. The tides can vary greatly, sometimes 46 feet between high and low water marks, making it quite dangerous to walk the flats. You can, however, take a tour, with an officially trained guide, on foot or on horseback.
The salt marsh meadows that have resulted from flooding are ideal for raising sheep, and you will see many grazing the area.
There is now a bridge, linking Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland. You can either take a short walk or ride an official bus to reach it.
Mont-Saint-Michel is a great place to visit–don’t miss it!
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