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, 2018A Christmas market with a long history
Nov 29, 2019Opt outside today
Nov 29, 2020New Zealand s loneliest mountain
Nov 29, 2021Rainbow Mountain
Nov 29, 2022Giving Tuesday
Nov 29, 2023Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
Nov 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 25, 2019Fighting evil with costumes
Dec 5, 2025Maya site of Copán
Sep 10, 2020Hidden beauty in Thailand
Aug 8, 2019Spot on for International Cat Day
Nov 19, 2018A narrow passage
Feb 13, 2020Midwinter freeze
Sep 22, 2018Time for brass bands and beer
Aug 8, 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
Apr 15, 2018The ‘Living Forest’ in Biscay, Spain
Oct 31, 2019Protect your neck
Aug 4, 2019Pups of the prairie
Apr 10, 2021Bear cubs roughhouse on Siblings Day
Sep 19, 2022State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Jul 26, 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Feb 19, 2021Colorful cows of the reef
Jul 12, 2021A lofty lighthouse and a little ocean spray
Jan 20, 2020A march toward a dream
Nov 9, 2018Let’s go foraging
Mar 13, 2019A look at Uranus, seventh planet from the sun
Jan 24, 2022Manhattan
Jun 22, 2022World Rainforest Day
Sep 21, 2023International Day of Peace
Mar 19, 2023Barn owl, England
Jan 21, 2025Squirrel Appreciation Day
Feb 1, 2018Stuben am Arlberg, Austria
Jul 27, 2021Maybe we should be looking up
Dec 5, 2018’Chess on ice’
Apr 21, 2023Procida, Italy
Feb 24, 2022Glacier cave in Iceland
Jun 3, 2018Travel Sunday: Liverpool