Disney Castles are intended to be strictly in fairy tales. However, in Europe there is one place where one of the castles appears to have jumped into real life. The island is located in northern France and looks very magical. It's hard to believe it's not animation.
Located on a small rocky island in the bay between Normandy and Brittany, Mont Saint-Michel is one of Europe's most breathtaking sights. Out of the sea with spires, medieval walls and towering monasteries, it looks like something directly from the picture book. According to Normandy Tourism, both the island and its bay are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attracting millions of visitors each year.
What makes Mont Saint Michel even more fascinating is its history.
The story dates back to 708AD, when the archangel Michael was said to have appeared to Bishop Obert and told him to build a church on the mountain.
Over time, it became the main pilgrimage site and center of learning in medieval Europe.
The monastery is perched at the highest point on the island and was built in stages from the 10th century.
As the official website of Abbaye Mont Saint Michel explains, the monastery has grown over the centuries by combining Romanesque and Gothic styles. One wing was very impressive and was called “Marvel.”
The location of Mont St. Michel meant it played an important role during the Hundred Years' War.
It was reinforced with powerful walls and was notorious for resisting the long English siege between 1423 and 1434.
Later, during the French Revolution, the monastery became prisons.
It remained until 1863. It was eventually closed in 1863 and later restored as a historic monument.
Today, a small community of monks and nuns still live on the island, and the monastery is open to the public.
Visitors can explore winding medieval streets filled with shops, restaurants and museums.
For a complete experience, it is best to stay overnight, especially outside of peak seasons, or overnight.
According to Normandy Tourism, the site is quietest before 10am or after 5pm, especially in autumn or winter.
One of the most unique features is the tide. Mont Saint Michel becomes a true island again during the highest tides in the continent of Europe. Access will be temporarily blocked on days when the tide range exceeds 110.
