A visit to Normandy is not complete without experiencing the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel – a truly awe-inspiring monument of legend …

Started in 708 AD by Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, the Abbey rises up from an indefinable point in the sand and waves, like a human challenge to the elements and time. From Aubert’s first chapel the Abbey has been extended upwards and outwards over the centuries – up there on the highest levels everything comes as a surprise: the amazing feats of medieval architecture, the power of nature, the light … everything.

The bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is often overlooked by visitors, but is featured on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, alongside the Abbey. The huge area of the bay enjoys a rich variety of natural habitats and is home to one of the largest areas of salt meadows and dikes in France , as well as spectacular tidal activity – the range between high tide and low tide is almost 15m (nearly 50 feet).

Click here for more suggestions for great days out in Normandy