Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Modular and adaptive implementation of Semantic Segmentation Models for Satellite Images and Open Source tools suitable for complex geographical contexts

  A modular, open-source framework for semantic segmentation of satellite images demonstrates that simple deep learning models can outperform complex ones when applied to small, imbalanced datasets like those found in coastal wetlands. The framework, which bridges Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Deep Learning (DL), integrates QGIS for spatial preprocessing with Python-based training pipelines, making advanced segmentation accessible to non-specialists. Key innovations include hybrid loss functions with dynamic class weighting and spectral-consistent data augmentation, which mitigate class imbalance—a persistent challenge in ecological detection. Case studies on the Crozon Peninsula and Mont-Saint-Michel Bay highlight its efficacy in multi-class land cover classification and binary salt marsh detection using modest computational resources, promoting sustainable AI applications in environmental monitoring.

  Le Guillou, A., & Niculescu, S. (2026). Modular and adaptive implementation of Semantic Segmentation Models for Satellite Images and Open Source tools suitable for complex geographical contexts. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 146, 105069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2025.105069

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• Long-Term Evaluation of Coastal Change Forecasting Following the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Maritime Restoration Project, Normandy, France

  A long-term evaluation of the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Maritime Restoration Project reveals that engineering measures, such as embankment removal and managed retreat, have successfully enhanced erosion and deepening of tidal flats while maintaining ecological value. The study, using a 22-year LiDAR dataset, quantifies post-restoration topographic changes and sediment budgets, showing effective sediment export and spatial redistribution of salt marshes. However, discrepancies between model predictions and field observations highlight the challenges in forecasting long-term channel migration variability and adapting to evolving hydro-meteorological conditions. This research underscores the importance of adaptive management strategies for non-stationary tidal systems undergoing anthropogenic modifications and climate-driven environmental change.

  Aleman, N., Levoy, F., Anthony, E. J., & Hamm, L. (2026). Long-Term Evaluation of Coastal Change Forecasting Following the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Maritime Restoration Project, Normandy, France. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 14(11), 997. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14110997

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• Monitoring the dynamics of coastal wetlands ecosystems in Brittany (France) using LANDSAT time series and machine learning

  Coastal wetlands in Brittany, France, exhibit contrasting dynamics between Mont-Saint-Michel Bay and Audierne Bay over the past 30 years. While salt marshes in Mont-Saint-Michel Bay expanded by 36%, Audierne Bay experienced significant urbanization (24% increase) and coastal erosion (1.63 m/year), with wetlands receding alongside the coastline. This study leverages Landsat time series satellite imagery, machine learning, and Random Forest algorithms to analyze these changes at both regional and local scales using the Corine Biotopes classification system. The findings provide critical spatial statistics on ecosystem dynamics, offering valuable insights for stakeholders managing coastal wetland conservation and resilience in the face of urbanization and climate change.

  Guillou, A. L., & Niculescu, S. (2025). Monitoring the dynamics of coastal wetlands ecosystems in Brittany (France) using LANDSAT time series and machine learning. Ecological Informatics, 90, 103303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103303

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• Practices of the Mont Saint-Michel scriptorium in the use of parchment for manuscripts in the 11th century

  A groundbreaking study reveals that the Mont Saint-Michel scriptorium's choice of parchment was deliberately tied to manuscript content and prestige. Analyzing 67 manuscripts from 980 to 1100, researchers used codicological studies, proteomic analyses, and thickness measurements to show that sheep parchment was reserved for text-heavy or lightly illuminated folios, while calfskin was selectively used for high-value elements like full-page illuminations and ornate opening letters. Four exceptionally prestigious manuscripts were entirely crafted from calfskin, with one incorporating goatskin, underscoring their liturgical significance. This discovery provides unprecedented insights into 11th-century parchment production practices and manuscript valuation.

  Robinet, L., Heu-Thao, S., Arberet, L., Michelin, A., Belhadj, O., Radepont, M., & Lecouteux, S. (2024). Practices of the Mont Saint-Michel scriptorium in the use of parchment for manuscripts in the 11th century. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 67, 452–460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2024.03.013

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• Formation and preservation of vertebrate tracks in semi‐liquid sediments: Insights from tidal flats and laboratory experiments

  Vertebrate tracks formed in semi-liquid sediments, long assumed to have low preservation potential, can actually be well-preserved and provide valuable palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental insights. This study, conducted on tidal flats of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay (France) and through laboratory experiments, reveals that such tracks exhibit distinct sediment structures—marginal rims, upward deformations during foot withdrawal, syn-track infilling from collapsing walls or liquefied sediment, and post-track infilling upon flooding—that reflect their formation dynamics. These findings challenge the notion of poor preservation, demonstrating high potential in tidal settings, particularly when tracks form after spring tides and consolidate during neap tides, reducing erosion risks. The study also offers a method to distinguish these tracks from other soft-sediment deformation structures, enhancing their interpretative value in fossil records.

  Campos‐Soto, S., Tessier, B., Mouazé, D., Benito, M. I., Quijada, I. E., & Suarez‐Gonzalez, P. (2024). Formation and preservation of vertebrate tracks in semi‐liquid sediments: Insights from tidal flats and laboratory experiments. Sedimentology, 72(1), 5–33. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.13224

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• Mills, Manuscripts and Monastic Archives: The Phillipps Charters of Mont Saint-Michel

  Three medieval charters from the Norman abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, preserved in the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, offer unprecedented insights into the lost institutional archive of the abbey. Surviving the 1944 destruction of the abbey’s archives, these rare documents reveal the structure and organization of a medieval monastic institution. The study also contextualizes these charters within Sir Thomas Phillipps’ extensive antiquarian collection, shedding light on antiquarian practices of preserving and presenting medieval documents—a field that has only recently gained scholarly attention.

  Allen, R., & Pohl, B. (2024). Mills, Manuscripts and Monastic Archives: The Phillipps Charters of Mont Saint-Michel. Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, 100(1), 1–37. https://doi.org/10.7227/bjrl.100.1.1

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• The Spatial Network of the Largest Honeycomb Reef in the World as Revealed by an Ultra-High Resolution Lidar Drone

  A groundbreaking study reveals the intricate spatial network of the world's largest honeycomb reef, located in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel (France), using ultra-high resolution lidar drone technology. The research, published in the Journal of Coastal Research, mapped 3033 reef patches with unprecedented accuracy, achieving a point-scaled height precision of 0.06 meters. By analyzing 702 million illuminations, the study identified critical nodes and edges within the reef's network, highlighting key areas contributing to its stability and connectivity. The findings underscore the potential for seasonally monitoring this unique ecosystem to mitigate erosion threats and manage environmental challenges effectively.

  Collin, A., James, D., Gairin, E., Aubert, M., Daniel, Y., Feunteun, E., & Dubois, S. (2024). The Spatial Network of the Largest Honeycomb Reef in the World as Revealed by an Ultra-High Resolution Lidar Drone. Journal of Coastal Research, 113(sp1). https://doi.org/10.2112/jcr-si113-188.1

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