Mont-Saint-Michel, Manche Département, Normandy, France

🇫🇷 Le Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France. The island lies approximately one kilometre (0.6 miles) off the country's north-western coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches and is 7 hectares (17 acres) in area. The mainland part of the commune is 393 hectares (971 acres) in area so that the total surface of the commune is 400 hectares (988 acres).

The commune's position—on an island just a few hundred metres from land—made it accessible at low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey, but defensible as an incoming tide stranded, drove off, or drowned would-be assailants. The island remained unconquered during the Hundred Years' War; a small garrison fended off a full attack by the English in 1433. Louis XI recognised the reverse benefits of its natural defence and turned it into a prison. The abbey was used regularly as a prison during the Ancien Régime.

Mont Saint-Michel and its surrounding bay were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 for its unique aesthetic and importance as a medieval Christian site. It is visited by more than 3 million people each year. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as monuments historiques.

Historically, Mont Saint-Michel was the Norman counterpart of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 St Michael's Mount, England, which was given to the Benedictines, religious order of Mont-Saint-Michel, by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. The two mounts share the same tidal island characteristics and the same conical shape, though St Michael's Mount is much smaller.

Economy The Mont-Saint-Michel has long "belonged" to some families who shared the businesses in the town and succeeded to the village administration. Tourism is almost the sole source of income of the commune. Tourism brings about $63 million to the small island. There are about fifty shops for 3 million tourists. Only about 25 people sleep every night on the Mount (monks included), except for those in hotels. The main institutions are shared by: • Eric Vannier, owner of the group the Mère Poulard (holding half of restaurants, shops, hotels and three museums); • Jean-Yves Vételé, CEO of Sodetour (five hotels, a supermarket and shops—all extramural—including Mercury Barracks); • Patrick Gaul, former elected official, hotelier and intramural restaurateur; • Independent merchants.