Mont Saint-Michel is as close as you can get to Hogwarts in France

As a generation that will never be over the first-time charm of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter, Hogwarts is very much a reality to us. A work of fiction, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry felt more real to us than reality. No, we are not hinting at England’s Alnwick Castle, where the movie is shot. We have a more magical and, perhaps more identical, location in the ever beautiful France.

Yes, it is the ever-so-magical Mont Saint-Michel that we are talking about. An island in Normandy, its first sight will set your heart racing; more so, if you are a Harry Potter fan. With a population of about 60 people, the island is a km off the mainland. One of the most famous French landmarks, it was made more famous with the JK Rowling franchise, looking surprisingly similar to Hogwarts.
Its location is where Brittany and Normandy merge in the bay, leading to the walled city that looks surreal even in broad daylight. During high tides, the city is cut off from the mainland, making it a more mystical affair. Other than the monastery (the Hogwarts lookalike), its bylanes will bring back all your Hogsmeade fantasies as well. You can get inside the monastery with a tour guide, walking into a wonderland of brilliant architecture, interesting paintings and artwork; once in, do not forget to look up the domed roof that comes alive with intricate carvings.

The island is also home to a few hotels; spending a night here after an unforgettable sunset is quite interesting as you watch high tides coming you off from the mainland and the world, pretty much. While it is quite expensive to spend a night here, with a few options to choose from, it makes for an experience to remember.
How to reach?

You can take a TGV from Paris to Rennes, and then hop aboard a bus to Mont Saint-Michel. The buses leave every 30 minutes or so, and the trip would take around 3.5 hours from Paris.