Mont Saint-Michel is an island off the Normandy coast in northwestern France famous for the tide which pulls itself around its walls, completely sealing it off from the mainland. Due to this unique attribute, the area was never captured by enemies during various wars.

But now, the city within is continuously bombarded with an arguably worse uniformed drove, school children on day trips. The narrow cobble stone streets packed elbow to elbow with matching jumpers bearing school insignia. The slow inclined march towards the abbey filled with those inclined to make fart jokes to test the patience of tourists.

But much like the famous tide the island is know for, eventually the children are pulled away and the area is much more discoverable. Once the water recedes, the unique features of sand and rock are brought to the forefront and allows the area to truly be seen. The snails that hang out on stalks while the water is away, the patterns of the sand when it dries, and the now useless floating warnings telling visitors of the dangers of swimming.