If you visit only one castle this year, make it this one.

Mount Saint-Michel is located on a tidal island in Normandy, France. It is home to the unusual Benedictine Abbey and its steepled church (built between the 11th and 16th centuries), daringly placed at the top of the mount.

Many underground crypts and chapels had to be built to compensate for this weight. The tides in the area can vary greatly, at roughly 14 metres between high and low water marks.

This image and below: click to enlarge; images via, originals unknown

(image credit: Stevage, via)

(image credit: Enum, via)

Compare the prominent position of Mont St. Michel abbey with this one (sigh…):

Click to enlarge; original unknown
Images source (in part): via; unfortunately they do not mention original photographers; if you know who took the pictures please contact me, I’ll put in the credit.

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