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

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
29 Nov 2023Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree lighting
29 Nov 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands

More Desktop Wallpapers:

8 Mar 2024International Womens Day
14 Jun 2025Trooping the Colour
16 Jul 2024Festival of British Archaeology
29 Mar 2024South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales
In a world of their own
31 Dec 2023Happy New Years Eve!
Lighting the way
16 Oct 2025Eurasian lynx
29 Oct 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
Love is in the snow
20 Mar 2025Spring equinox
The world’s greatest oasis?
17 Feb 2026Chinese New Year
Wise guys
2 Feb 2026Groundhog Day
12 Oct 2024World Migratory Bird Day
25 Mar 2024Happy Holi!
2 Feb 2024Six Nations Championship
16 Dec 2024Salzburg, Austria
25 Mar 2025Tolkien Reading Day
The Old Bridge, reborn
3 Dec 2025Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA
19 Dec 2025Bormio, Lombardy, Italy
Home of racing legends
11 Mar 2025Broken Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Perfect, pastoral Palouse
In fine feather
International Mountain Day
17 Jan 2024Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
30 Nov 2023Leadenhall Market, London