France

What a charming place, isn't it? On my must-see list for sure!

Mont Saint-Michel  is an island commune in Normandy, located approximately one kilometre  off the country's northwestern coast. The island has a population of only 44 (2009).

The island has held strategic fortifications since ancient times, and since the eighth century has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: On top, God, the abbey and monastery; below this, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, fishermen's and farmers' housing.

Its unique position of being an island only 600 metres from land made it readily accessible on low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey. Equally, this position made it readily defensible as an incoming tide stranded, or drowned, would-be assailants.

Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and more than 3 million people visit it each year.