Standing on the north coast of France, the Mont St Michel is perhaps the most famous monastery in the country. It stands on a rocky crag and is surrounded by stout walls, once used for defence.

The top of the hill is crowned by the elegant monastery. The Gothic pinnacles and soaring spire of the church seem to reach into the sky. Yet it is not the beautiful church nor the impressive walls which are the most famous feature of Mont St Michel.

The rock on which the monastery is perched stands in the middle of a vast sand flat. At low tide the sand is exposed as a wide sheet stretching out in several directions. When the tide comes in, the waters rush across the flat sand faster than a horse can gallop. Within a short time the Mont St Michel is surrounded by the sea and boats can sail right up to the moor there.