A magical European island that’s one of the continent's most unforgettable sights is straight out of a fairy tale. Mont Saint-Michel is set in a bay shared by Normandy and Brittany, and its most impressive feature is that its connection to the mainland disappears beneath the tide twice a day.

The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel boasts the highest tides in continental Europe, creating a spectacular natural display. Some days of the year offer optimal viewing conditions, and when the tide surpasses a certain level, Mont-Saint-Michel transforms into an island for a few hours. When it retreats, a dramatic stretch of rippled sand is revealed, reconnecting the island to the mainland by a causeway.

The origins of Mont Saint-Michel date back to 708 AD, when Bishop Aubert of Avranches claimed to have seen a vision of Archangel Michael, instructing him to build a sanctuary. What began as a simple oratory gradually expanded into a magnificent monastic complex.

By the 13th century, the abbey had become a major pilgrimage site in Europe, representing both spiritual devotion and architectural resilience against the forces of nature and war.

Its isolated location also made it a formidable military stronghold. During the Hundred Years' War, Mont Saint-Michel successfully repelled multiple English assaults, aided by its natural defenses and towering stone ramparts.

In later centuries, the abbey served as a prison before being restored as a historic monument in the 19th century.

One tourist wrote on a TripAdvisor forum: “Planned my trip around taking a tour. I read and watched documentaries about this place. It met and exceeded my expectations. 

“I walked around as much as I possibly could, so I brought my own sandwich and did not go into any of the shops, which left me plenty of time to appreciate it.

“It left me in awe. Since I was on a tour, took the shuttle there but decided to walk back to park lot. A must in France!”

Another commented: “Destination of our tour between September and the first days of October 2022. Stay in a hotel inside Mont Saint Michel because we wanted to witness the tide that surrounds the whole island in the evening. The night tour of the village is mystical, therefore worth trying."

They continued: “In the afternoon we had booked a tour of the bay at low tide accompanied by a guide who I highly recommend because it is a unique experience to experience first-hand the grandeur of the tides with its particularities, take a look at the external perimeter of Saint Michel and to arouse the curiosity of even the most little ones who won't be disappointed (my son was 11). Experience to live.”

Travel expert Ski Vertigo recommends visiting between April and June or in September to avoid peak crowds. Trains from Paris to Pontorson take about four hours, with shuttle buses to the visitor centre. From there, a free shuttle or scenic 40-minute walk leads to the island.

“A must-see for any curious traveller,” said a Ski Vertigo spokesperson. “Its beauty changes with the tide—no two visits are ever the same.”