Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, a wonder of architecture, was listed as a site of World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1979.

This small, granite island is, depending on the tides' lunar rhythm, in the middle of the sea or on the sandbanks. The rock of Mont-Tombe became known as Mont Saint-Michel in 709 during the establishment of the veneration of Saint Michael by the Bishop of Avranches. During the 8th century the archangel Saint Michael appeared before the Bishop of Avranches, Aubert. So, he decided to build a small chapel in the style of the Mont-Gargano sanctuary in Italy on top of the Mont Tombe in order to glorify the saint. The building grew and changed with the centuries and the religious communities, passing from the Roman style to the Gothic. The pilgrims came en masse to win the favour of Saint Michael, particularly during the periods of war and famine.It was from this time that the mount also became known as Saint-Michel-au-Péril-de-la-mer (Saint Michael at the risk of the sea) because the pilgrims risked getting stuck on the mud and drowning. It became one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Middle Age Christianity.

Through the centuries, the monks transformed the initial sanctuary into an abbey that was partially burnt down in 1203. New monastic buildings were built on top of the ruins. One of them was the famous Merveille (the Marvel), a Gothic extension to the abbey-church in which one can find the chaplaincy, the guest room, the refectory, the storeroom, the knights room and the cloister.

For more information :

The website of French National Monuments gives a presentation of the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel and information on visiting hours, prices and visits.