A magical island topped by a gravity-defying abbey, the Mont Saint Michel and its Bay count among France’s most stunning sights. For centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations, this holy island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is its breathtaking bay.

The Mont Saint Michel is one of Europe’s most unforgettable sights. Set in a mesmerizing bay shared by Normandy and Brittany, the mount draws the eye from a great distance.

This staggeringly beautiful location has long captured the imagination. The story of how the mount came to be a great Christian pilgrimage site dates back to the early 8th century, when Aubert, bishop of the nearby hilltop town of Avranches, claimed that the Archangel Michael himself had pressured him into having a church built atop the island just out to sea.

It’s important to keep in mind upon visiting that the Mont Saint Michel isn’t a fabricated tourist destination and is home to 44 inhabitants, including the monks and nuns that reside in the Abbey. You may even be lucky enough to hear the hauntingly beautiful sound of their choir upon entering the Abbey. Be respectful of their home and don’t take photographs of the citizens, particularly during religious ceremonies.

The streets at Mont Saint Michel are also lined with an abundance of fine buildings that have been converted into museums, restaurants, hotels and shops for today’s tourists. There's always something to explore and discover in this breath taking historical town.