Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

The long history of Mont Saint-Michel is thought to date back to 708AD when Aubert, Bishop of Avranches had a sanctuary built on Mont-Tombe in honour of the Archangel.

The Mount soon became a major focus of pilgrimage and in the 10th century, the Benedictines settled in the Abbey while a village grew up below its walls. By the 14th century it extended as far as the foot of the rock. An impregnable stronghold during the Hundred Years War, Mont Saint-Michel is also an example of military architecture.

Following the dissolution of the religious community during the revolution, the Abbey was then used as a prison until 1863. Classified as an historic monument in 1874, it underwent major restoration work.

Mont Saint-Michel has been listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO since 1979.