Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Founded 708

Mont Saint Michel is the quintessential fairytale castle, a mix between the land of OZ and the castle the defended in the second lord of the rings. I’m still not fully sure why the monks needed to be so heavily fortified, but it certainly is impressive. Everything right down to the natural landscape is absolutely unique and picturesque. The Abbey sits on top of a natural rock formation with solely rises high above the completely flat surroundings. To make its location more spectacular during certain times of the month, the tide washes in so high that the mountain becomes an island, fully surrounded by water.
Truly I think this is my favorite building complex of anywhere I have seen so far. Aside from its romantic qualities, I am just amazed with the way all of the buildings are both built on top of the mountain and each other. Steps lead up on roofs of buildings, along fortified walls, to hidden paths and spaces. The buildings here are part of a cohesive unit that work and function together to really make something spectacular.
The Abbey on top is also an amazing building. It is a mix of gothic styles dating back to the 13th century and though a number of the details are only a hundred or so years old, the complex and its central tower rise with spectacular effect. Mont Saint Michel had a skyline before modern cities were even thought of, and it’s amazing to consider how spectacular it would have been to see such a structure centuries ago.
Though the complex is fully touristed out, when the sun goes down everyone leaves with it. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay in the building and being able to explore it at night was really amazing. I would highly recommend staying in or close by if you can.