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:

May 21, 2024International Tea Day
Nov 27, 2025Happy Thanksgiving!
Jan 5, 2023Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China
Aug 24, 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument anniversary
Jan 22, 2020A horse of many colors
Feb 22, 2022Twosday
Jan 18, 2022Winnie-the-Pooh Day
Aug 13, 2019An ice cap-puccino
Aug 31, 2018Let’s have a ball
Apr 22, 2025Earth Day
Jul 20, 2024International Moon Day
Jul 24, 2020Trunks stick together
Mar 2, 2022Mount Rainier National Park
Aug 1, 2022Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
Jun 30, 2025Asteroid Day
Apr 2, 2025Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah
Feb 28, 2018Isla del Pescado on the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
Feb 6, 20262026 Winter Olympics
May 14, 2019Cannes, France, in the spotlight
Feb 15, 2023Hippo family in Chobe National Park, Botswana
May 5, 2024Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Aug 25, 2021Happy anniversary to the National Park Service!
Jan 24, 2021These patterns tell a story
May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Mar 25, 2021There was gold in them there hills…
Mar 27, 2019Sweet! It’s maple syrup season
Oct 6, 2025Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
Nov 1, 2021Native American Heritage Month
Oct 4, 2024World Space Week begins