The Founding of Mont-Saint-Michel

In 708, Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, establishes a Benedictine abbey on a rocky islet in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, about one mile (1.6 km) off the northwest coast of France in the English Channel. The abbey, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, soon becomes a major religious center and an important site of pilgrimage in medieval Europe.

Over the centuries, Mont-Saint-Michel evolves into a remarkable architectural marvel, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles as it expands. Its strategic location makes it both a revered monastic sanctuary and a fortified stronghold, resisting sieges, including those during the Hundred Years’ War.

Today, Mont-Saint-Michel stands as one of France’s most iconic landmarks, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its dramatic silhouette rising above the tidal flats, it attracts over three million visitors annually, continuing its legacy as a place of both historical and spiritual significance.