7 Of Normandy’s Coolest & Most Intriguing Places (in Photos)
2. Mont-Saint-Michel: Normandy’s Crown Jewel
Mont-Saint-Michel is straight out of a medieval dream. Rising from tidal sands, this rocky island has been pulling visitors in for over 1,000 years!
At the top, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel steals the show with its Gothic spires and sweeping views. Built in 966, it started as a Benedictine monastery and quickly became a major pilgrimage site.
The lower town is a maze of cobbled streets packed with shops, cafés, and inns that look like they haven’t changed since the Middle Ages. Places like La Poste and Saint Michel keep the old-world vibe alive. Narrow alleys lead to hidden corners and unbeatable photo ops.
Mont-Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with tides that can still trap the unprepared. Climb the abbey steps, explore the ramparts, and grab a bite in one of the medieval eateries such as La Mère Poulard (1888), known for its legendary omelets cooked over an open fire.