Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is a famous historic Benedictine monastery located on an island in Normandy, France. Founded in 709 at the request of Archangel Michael, the abbey became a major spiritual and cultural center during the Middle Ages, known for its architectural grandeur and important manuscript library. The abbey crowns a granite islet, surrounded by vast tidal flats with some of the highest tides in Europe. Its buildings, dating from the 10th century onward, showcase a unique blend of Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic architectural styles, including remarkable features such as its stone cloister, crypts, and towering spire with a statue of Saint Michael. The abbey’s layout is exceptionally original, not resembling any other monastic complex in Europe.