Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France Nov 29, 2024

Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

A tidal marvel and a slice of medieval life all rolled into one rocky outcrop—welcome to Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, northern France. The story of this "Wonder of the West" goes back to the early 8th century, when Archangel Michael was said to have appeared to the bishop of Avranches in a vision. The divine message was clear: build a sanctuary on this rock. Taking this angelic advice seriously, the bishop laid the foundations of what would eventually become the abbey that dominates the island today. Over the centuries, this UNESCO World Heritage Site grew in size and reputation, attracting monks, pilgrims and invaders alike.

© Captain Skyhigh/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nov 29, 2023Schwerin Castle on Lake Schwerin, Germany
Nov 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 6, 2023Taughannock Falls State Park, New York, USA
Apr 7, 2025North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States
Dec 8, 2024Moorea, French Polynesia
Aug 20, 2023Start Point Lighthouse, South Devon, England
Nov 30, 2023The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
Aug 21, 2023Emerald Lake, Yukon, Canada
Jul 21, 2025Staghorn coral in shallow ocean
Oct 22, 2025Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria
Apr 21, 2025Joshua trees under the Milky Way, California, United States
Jan 10, 2024Mylopotamos, Greece
Oct 6, 2024Coyote Gulch, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Utah
Apr 25, 2024Adélie penguins, Antarctica
Jan 7, 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Oct 5, 2023Gentoo penguins, Antarctica
Nov 5, 2025Peña Roya beech forest, Moncayo Natural Park, Aragon, Spain
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Jul 23, 2025Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Apr 30, 2024Cheetah in Tanzania
Sep 17, 2024Kerala, India
Sep 11, 2024Eltz Castle, Germany
Jun 8, 2025Steller sea lions
Mar 11, 2025Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Aug 28, 2025Great white egret, Hungary
May 27, 2025Heidelberg, Germany
Nov 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Oct 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire, United States
Sep 27, 2025Tank Lakes, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, United States
Apr 3, 2026Armbrug bridge, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Apr 24, 2024White trilliums in Ontario, Canada
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil