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:

Oct 13, 2020Where can you find a red fox?
Oct 17, 2020Fog above the forest
Mar 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Oct 24, 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Dec 1, 2024Antarctica Day
Dec 22, 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sep 17, 2024Mid-Autumn Festival
Jul 18, 2025Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida
Jul 25, 2018Splashes of color for Watercolor Month
Feb 16, 2018Dragon dance performed in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China
Dec 24, 2022Christmas Eve
May 14, 2018Celebrating Bike to Work Week, May 14-18
Mar 24, 2020Springtime in the Mediterranean
Apr 13, 2021Ruins of a royal temple
Nov 20, 2021World Children s Day
May 29, 2024World Otter Day
Oct 1, 2022Yosemite National Park turns 132
May 24, 2019Not your average sandcastle
Oct 21, 2025Happy Diwali!
Jun 24, 2020Midsummer in Sweden
Mar 24, 2021A whale of a picture
Jul 28, 2021A goldie gala
Mar 9, 2021Spring comes to the Diablo foothills
Mar 26, 2023Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Dec 25, 2025Merry Christmas!
Apr 18, 2025International Day for Monuments and Sites
Sep 22, 2021What s cuter than nuzzling rhinos?
Aug 12, 2024World Elephant Day
Jun 3, 2024World Bicycle Day
Feb 16, 2022Cranborne Chase, England