Mont-St-Michel

Exploring

That marvel of French architecture, Mont-St-Michel, is the most-visited sight in France after the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. This beached mass of granite, rising some 400 feet, was begun in 709 and is crowned with the "Marvel," or great monastery, that was built during the 13th century. Fortifications were added 200 years later to withstand attacks from the English. For the historic background and all the information on visiting this spectacular sight, see "A Spire to Greatness: Mont-St-Michel in this chapter.