Gezicht op de Mont Saint-Michel before 1884

This photograph of Mont Saint-Michel was produced by an artist known only as N.C.. Mont Saint-Michel, a tidal island in Normandy, France, has a layered identity. For centuries it has been a site of pilgrimage and a strategic military point. The photograph captures the imposing architecture of the abbey, which seems to rise organically from the sea. The figures in the foreground appear small against the grandeur of the Mont. Photographs like this played a role in shaping perceptions of cultural and historical sites. As the tourism industry developed, images of Mont Saint-Michel helped to solidify its image as a timeless symbol of French history and identity. The image leaves us to consider the relationship between place, identity, and representation, and the emotional and cultural resonance that a site like Mont Saint-Michel can hold.