1050th anniversary of the foundation of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

Located in southwest Manche, a department in Lower Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel owes its name to a rocky island dedicated to Saint Michel where the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey stands. It lies in the middle of a huge bay engulfed by the highest tides in Europe. A large number of dwellings in the village are listed as historical monuments. The first church on Mont Saint-Michel was built and consecrated on 16 October 709 by the Bishop of Avranches at the request of Archangel Michael, "leader of the heavenly armies". Altered several times until the 18th century, the Benedictine abbey beautifully combines Carolingian, Roman, flamboyant Gothic and classical styles. This exceptional piece of architecture has benefited from ongoing restoration work since its classification as a historical monument in 1862. A golden bronze statue of the eponymous Saint defeating a dragon has stood on top of the church at 170 metres above sea level since 1897. This statue by a French sculptor, Emmanuel Fremiet, was added during the first major renovation works at the end of the 19th century.