Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks and exposed to very powerful tides stands the 'Wonder of the West', a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls.

Built between the 11th and 16th centuries, the abbey is a technical and artistic tour de force, having had to adapt to the problems posed by this unique natural site.

This most visited monument in France guards the boundary between Normandy and Brittany and is certainly a must to see. It is a perfect destination for a daytrip from Château de l'Isle-Marie. Along the way you can make stops at other interesting places, like Granville with its museum devoted to fashion designer Christian Dior or Villedieu-les-Poêles with its artisans.