Perched between Normandy and Brittany in France is a magical island that looks like something right out of a fairytale. At its summit is an ancient abbey, and leading up to the peak of the hills are winding cobbled streets lined with independent boutiques and cafes.
Surrounding the island are thick impenetrable walls which turn this charming island into a fortress. Just 29 people call this island home but every year millions of tourists flock to it to explore.
If a high tide creeps in over the causeway, the island is cut off from everything and climbs above of the Cousenon river as if like magic.
This stunning paradise is Mont Saint Michel – an ancient town that, as legend has it, was built at the instruction of the archangel Michael who appeared in 708 to a bishop.
The archangel instructed the bishop of Avranches to build a church atop the rocky island. The abbey and the island survived two sieges during the Hundred Years War and was declared an historical monument in 1874.
In 1978, the island and the surrounding bay were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The island has some of the highest tides in Europe, and in the summer months dolphins are frequently seen frolicking in the waters surrounding it.
The salt marshes around the island are often used to rear sheep and lambs – and in fact salt reared lamb is a local delicacy served at many of the charming restaurants on the islands.
If you want to visit the island, it’s best to time it well. Try to arrive as early as possible, before the crowds and stay overnight to witness the sunset over the gorgeous architecture on the island.
The easiest way to get to the island is to take the ferry from Portsmouth via St Malo, and from there you can drive to the island. The car journey takes around an hour, so set out early or the day before to make the most of it.