Mont Saint Michel is a village in itself, brimming with cafes, bars and superb craft shops. Mont Saint Michel must be the 8th wonder of the world.....The views are magnificent both within the ramparts and from out into the bay. In the 11th century, there was once a small chapel, built on top of a rock, that had already become a major place of pilgrimage. Over the centuries, the small chapel grew to become a magnificent abbey, commonly known as the 'Merveille' or 'Wonder', with its glorious Gothic buildings. Within the abbey are the Cellier (storeroom), the Salle des Chevaliers (knights' hall), the Refectoire (refectory), the Aumônerie (chaplaincy), and the Salle des Hôtes (guests' hall), all of which have welcomed Saint Louis, Louis XI, and Francois I. A cloister with beautifully carved columns seems to be suspended between sky and sea. Mont Saint Michel Bay has the highest tides in Europe. As the tide ebbs the sea reveals one of the largest areas of mussel growing and oyster farming in France upon thousands of wooden stakes. Covering about 14 miles is the Duchess Anne Dike providing a view over the ever changing landscapes and multitude of species of birds and wildlife.