Monomad Challenge: Mont Saint Michel

This is my entry for the Monomad Challenge, which tells the tale of our visit to Mont Saint-Michel.

Mont Saint-Michel is a medieval island fortress off the Normandy coast of France, built on a rocky outcrop in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. It began as a small chapel in the 8th century after Aubert, a bishop, claimed a vision of the Archangel Michael. Over centuries, it grew into a major Benedictine abbey, blending Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Its strategic position made it a key defensive and religious site, never captured despite sieges during the Hundred Years’ War. The abbey’s spire, topped with a golden statue of St. Michael, stands 240 feet above the sea. The mount’s unique environment, with tides that can rush in at 200 feet per minute, isolates it at high tide, creating a natural defense. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing millions for its historical significance, architecture, and striking silhouette. The village below the abbey houses about 30 residents and supports tourism with shops and restaurants.

The abbey is festooned with exquisite gothic arches.

The abbey also sports beautiful cloisters.

Watching the tide roll in.

A sight to remember always.