One of the most impressive sites we visited on our tour was Mont Saint-Michel. This tidal island is the location of a grand monastery. The island is shaped like a cone, so four crypts were built around the cone to support the church and monastery. It took 1200 years to build, and at one point, one side caved in (because the crypt gave out), so this building had to go through some extensive renovations as well. The church at the top was originally built by Benedictine monks with the Gothic style of architecture. When that side fell down, it was rebuilt with Romanesque architecture. The difference in style is very obvious.

Mont Saint-Michel has a vast history. It has been an abbey, a monastery, a prison, and a monastery again. There are still a few monks that live here today.

Mont Saint-Michel has been featured in several movies, including The Scarlet Pimpernel. It was also featured in a scene in the 2004 animated Disney movie Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers, in which Captain Pete of the Musketeers attempted to drown Mickey Mouse in order to carry out his plot to take over France's monarchy as king without interruption. Pete even mentions it by name, telling Mickey before leaving the dungeon, "Enjoy your stay at the Mont Saint-Michel -- they say the tide comes in faster than horses!" This is in reference to the cathedral's history as a jail for political prisoners, as well as Victor Hugo's description of the tides.

We arrived in Mont Saint-Michel in the last afternoon, but we were told me must leave by 5:30. High tide would arrive around 7:00pm and all tourists and people who needed to return home that evening must leave the area or they would be forced to stay overnight. The parking lot and the access road would be completely under water, so any cars or buses remaining when the tide comes in would be washed away, or ruined by the salt water. Needless to say, we were very prompt at leaving at 5:30.