The Saint Michael statue at the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel has functioned as a lightning rod since 1897. Its wings and sword are designed to conduct electricity, attracting and channeling lightning safely away from the abbey. The gilded copper statue, weighing between 410 kg and 520 kg, stands 4.5 meters tall and is located more than 150 meters above sea level. The exact height is sometimes cited as 156 or 160 meters, depending on the source. Created by sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet, the statue was commissioned by architect Victor Petitgrand to cap the abbey’s new spire. It has remained in place for nearly 130 years, enduring exposure to harsh weather conditions. In 2016, the statue underwent a major restoration after being lifted by helicopter to a workshop in Dordogne for repairs and re-gilding. The project, which cost 450,000 euros, was part of a broader restoration and development campaign funded by the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN). By 2015, the CMN had already spent nearly 7 million euros on completed works at the site. The 2016 restoration included improvements to the lightning rod system, although this component accounted for less than 6% of the overall budget. The Saint Michael statue has been restored three times since its installation in 1897—once in 1935, again in 1987, and most recently in 2016. The time between each restoration has been decreasing, from 52 years between the first two to just 29 years between the second and third. The Normandy prefecture recognizes the statue as a masterpiece by Frémiet, officially titled Archangel Michael slaying the dragon. This title is inspired by a smaller bronze statuette Frémiet created in 1879. The CMN highlighted that repeated lightning strikes and weather damage had taken a toll on the statue, prompting the need for the 2016 restoration. The restoration efforts not only preserved the visual grandeur of the statue but also ensured its continued function as a lightning rod. The work involved meticulous cleaning, repair of damaged elements, and reapplication of gold leaf to restore its original appearance. These efforts were part of a larger initiative to preserve the historical and artistic significance of the abbey, which is one of France’s most iconic and visited landmarks.