Le Mont-Saint-Michel, Medieval abbey on a tidal island in Normandy, France
Le Mont-Saint-Michel is a medieval abbey on a rocky island in Normandy, completely surrounded by water at high tide. The island rises sharply from the bay, with a village at the base and the abbey at the summit, and narrow lanes wind upward between stone walls and old houses.
A bishop from Avranches built a chapel in the 8th century after seeing a vision of Archangel Michael in his dreams. Benedictine monks later fortified the site and added Gothic monastery buildings that grew over several centuries.
Walking through the village means passing half-timbered houses and small guesthouses where innkeepers set tables in narrow alleys and serve regional dishes. Pilgrims still make the final climb on foot, ascending the steep steps to the abbey church as they have done for centuries.
Anyone planning to visit should know the tide schedule, as water levels in the bay can shift dramatically within a few hours. The narrow alleys and steep staircases make the climb tiring, especially on days when many people are walking up at once.
The sea sometimes retreats so far that sand stretches to the horizon, but the tide can cut off access completely in less than an hour. Only around 30 people live permanently on the island, even though millions of visitors come through each year.
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