There can surely be no more emblematic symbol of France, let alone Normandy, than the Mont St Michel. Recognised since 1979 by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the Mont St Michel and its bay are a major attraction. The Abbey itself was built in the Middle Ages as a place of pilgrimage, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, and is a commanding example of medieval architecture. In the summer months you may visit the Abbey at night time when special events and illuminations are organised.

Rising tides...
Part of the Mont St Michel's magic is due to the visual impact of the tides. There is a difference of 15m between low and high tide, and at certain times of the year the base of the Mont is completely covered by the sea. When visiting the area, experience a crossing of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel on the expanse of sand, barefoot, under the supervision of an experienced guide.

The future...
In order to maintain the natural beauty of the Mont St Michel, a major engineering project begins at the end of 2005 to arrest the silting of the Bay that threatens to make the Mont a permanent part of the mainland. The project includes the creation of a dam on the Couesnon river to divert the silt away from the Mont, as well as the construction of a pedestrian bridge to replace the road leading up to the site.

Illuminated manuscripts in Avranches
A treasure trove of medieval books from the Abbey's ancient library, including over 200 parchment manuscripts, has been preserved by Avranches' Town Hall since the French Revolution. From Spring 2006 more of the collection will be on display together with permanent exhibitions as part of an ambitious project by the town to create a Centre du Livre Manuscrit.