The Timeless Beauty of Mont Saint-Michel, A Medieval Island Abbey Near Normandy, France

As part of their Planet Earth series, Great Big Story visited the stunning Mont Saint-Michel, a timeless medieval castle that historically served as both abbey and monastery and sits just 1 meter off the coast of Normandy, France. While not always surrounded by water, the castle now sits atop a tidal island due to an eroding coastline.

Mont Saint-Michel emerges from the tides in Normandy, France, like an ancient village from a fairytale. The coastal town built on a massive granite rock cuts a dramatic silhouette against the sky, rising from disappearing marshes to a Gothic Abbey at its height. With a permanent population of around 50, this popular tourist destination has a history dating back to at least the Roman era. Fancy a tour before the tides roll in?

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