Mont Saint-Michel, France

Rising 92 metres from a tidal island off the coast of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's most recognisable landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The Benedictine abbey at its summit, founded in 966 AD, was a major pilgrimage destination throughout the medieval period. The island is surrounded by some of Europe's fastest-rising tides (up to 14 metres in 6 hours), cutting it off from the mainland twice daily. It receives 3.5 million visitors annually.