In Normandy, France, there is a tidal island and mainland municipality called Mont-Saint-Michel (pronounced Norman: Mont Saint Miché; English: Saint Michael's Mount).
The island is 7 hectares (17 acres) in size and is located at the entrance of the Couesnon River close to Avranches, about a kilometer (half a nautical mile) off the northwest coast of France. The commune's total surface is 400 hectares (990 acres), of which 393 hectares (971 acres) are on the mainland.[4][5] There were 29 people living on the island as of 2019.The commune was accessible to the numerous pilgrims who visited the abbey during low tide due to its location on an island only a few hundred meters from the mainland. It was also defendable since the oncoming tide stranded, drove away, or drowned potential attackers. Throughout the Hundred Years' War, the island remained unconquered. A full-scale English attack was repulsed in 1433 by a tiny garrison.After realizing the advantages of its natural defense, Louis XI converted it into a jail. The Ancien Régime saw frequent usage of the abbey as a jail.Because of its distinctive beauty and significance as a Catholic landmark, Mont-Saint-Michel and the bay around it were included to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.It is the most popular tourist destination in France outside of Paris, with over three million visitors annually. The commune has more than 60 buildings that are designated as historical monuments.

One of France's most remarkable sites is the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel, which rises sharply from a rocky islet off the coast of Normandy. Standing 80 meters above the water and encircled by formidable defensive walls and bastions, this "Pyramid of the Seas" is a mesmerizing sight.
The Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel, the primary tourist destination, is a medieval architectural wonder with towering Gothic spires. With its elaborate high-vaulted choir and harmonious Romanesque nave, the Abbey Church's peaceful beauty will astound you.

The Abbey Church, also referred to as "The Heavenly Jerusalem," has been a significant Christian pilgrimage site since it was constructed in the eleventh century. The pilgrims of today are still motivated by Mont Saint-Michel and carry on the medieval custom of walking across the bay.The Mont is the setting for a portion of the action in Helen MacInnes's 1943 novel Assignment in Brittany, which includes a thrilling nocturnal chase across the sands. In his 2003 film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Peter Jackson reportedly drew inspiration from Mont-Saint-Michel when he designed Minas Tirith, the capital city of Gondor.

The nearest station to the Mont-Saint-Michel is Pontorson, where you can get off the train from Paris Montparnasse and take a shuttle bus to the location. "Le Train du Mont-Saint-Michel" is a seasonal service that operates from June to September.
Generally speaking, the ideal time to visit Mont Saint Michel is from March to October. Due to the school holidays, July and August will be the busiest summer months even if they will also be the warmest. You can find a decent balance between moderate weather and low crowds by going in May, June, or September. Prior to being a site of symbolic significance in the conflicts that rocked western Europe in the late medieval era, which pitted Normans against Bretons, French against Normans, and French against English, its monastery thrived as one of the greatest centers of learning in the twelfth century.
Hotels in the area include Auberge Saint-Pierre, La Vieille Auberge, Les Terrasses Poulard, and Le Mouton Blanc.