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

A day for giving
Nov. 29, 2023Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree lighting
Nov. 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands

More Desktop Wallpapers:

An iridescent view
Dec. 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy
Oct. 24, 2024Bodie State Historic Park, California, United States
Apr. 19, 2026Mirror Beach, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil
Part science experiment, part public park
Jul. 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Jan. 22, 2026Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czechia
Shell-ebrating sea turtles
Jun. 26, 2024Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
So fresh, so clean
Sep. 24, 2024Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
An island park for everyone
May 5, 2026A bull moose foraging through the green undergrowth, Quebec
Feb. 5, 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Aug. 26, 2023Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin
Strong sibling bonds
Oct. 8, 2025World Octopus Day
Oct. 22, 2023Astoria-Megler Bridge, Oregon
Is anybody home?
A world within a world
Nov. 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands
Dec. 1, 2024Antarctica Day
A convocation of eagles assembles
Getting starry-eyed at the moon
Blue as far as the eye can see
Dec. 9, 2025National Llama Day
Aug. 26, 2024Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Central Pacific Ocean
May 28, 2025World Otter Day
Apr. 9, 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
May 8, 2024Marseille welcomes to Olympic torch