Mont Saint-Michel - Great Attractions (Normandy, France)

Take a tour of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France – part of the World’s Greatest Attractions series by GeoBeats. From the grassy plains of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel rises dramatically out of the northern Atlantic. Natural land bridges connecting it to mainland France have surfaced and disappeared over time. This tidal island started developing in the 6th century and now reaches a staggering height. A maze of walkways and steep staircases make up much of today’s landscape. The walls of the island have witnessed many battles including the Hundred Years’ War. The site has been used for religious purposes for many centuries. However, the abbey was also a prison for political dissenters after the French Revolution. In 1979 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and man-made beauty. Though its physical connection to the mainland is tenuous, its allure is as strong as ever.