The third most popular attraction in France, after the Eiffel Tower and Versailles Palace, Mont Saint Michel is a breathtaking sight. An island during the high-tide and a peninsula of sorts during the low tide, Mont Saint Michel is a must-visit location if you love history, old architecture and natural spectacles.

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Mont Saint Michel has been considered a sacred place since ancient times. Druids worshiped the sun here and the Romans followed in their footsteps, worshiping Mithras, the sun god. It is said Julius Cesar himself is buried in a gold casket, deep inside the rock island.

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In the year 708, the quiet, isolated island became a perfect home for a group of monks. Legend has it that’s when the Archangel Michael appeared in the dreams of Aubert, archbishop of Avranches, and told him to build a chapel on the island known then as Monte Tombe. Aubert ignored the instructions at first, but St. Michael finally persuaded him by burning a whole in his skull. Work on the church that lies at the centre of Monte Saint Michel today, began in 1020 and lasted for 100 years. Although the original construction had to be repaired on several occasions, it remains a romantic-style building, with round arches and thick walls.

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Mont Saint Michel wasn’t always a quiet, spiritual place. In the Middle Ages, during the Hundred Years War, an English army laid-siege to the island, defended by just over 100 men. It was never conquered and Les Michelettes, two iron bombards left behind by the English are displayed near the outer wall, as a reminder. Mont Saint Michel became a symbol of French independence and remains so to this day.

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Most people that visit Mont Saint Michel are not as interested in its beautiful architecture and rich history, as they are in the tide. During the low tide, the famous rock formation is an island in a sea of sand and other sediments and, during the high tide, the water rises by up to 14 meters, transforming it into a regular island. Nature puts on quite a spectacle every day, but it can be a dangerous one, if people aren’t careful. Many have ventured out during the low tide, were surprised by the speed of the returning waters and perished stuck in the quicksand. Other people parked their cars on the beach surrounding the island and never found it again. While visiting Mont Saint Michel, it’s best not to venture too far out, pay attention to the signs and respect the visitation schedule.

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A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and one of France’s most beautiful attractions, Mont Saint Michel is currently undergoing a serious transformation. The French authorities are attempting to restore the rock island to the sea, by pushing the 1.5 million square meters of sediments into the ocean. The parking and road leading to Mont Saint Michel will be demolished and a bridge connecting it to the mainland will be built by 2012.

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Not as marketed as other French tourist destinations, Mont Saint Michel still manages to draw in 3.2 million visitors every year. It’s an exceptional place that will fill your eyes and heart with beauty.

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