Mont Saint-Michel abbey [123RF]
Mont Saint-Michel abbey [123RF]

A Chinese billionaire couple has tied the knot at Mont Saint-Michel, one of France's most iconic landmarks.

Chinese supermodel Ming Xi and entrepreneur Mario Ho held a wedding ceremony at the Mont Saint-Michel abbey on Monday, according to French outlet Madame Figaro and other media.

Mario Ho is one of the children of Stanley Ho, the Macau casino magnate widely known as the "King of Gambling."

The couple had a civil ceremony in 2019 and held the religious wedding at the abbey seven years later.

The pair obtained numerous permits to hold a private event at the historic site.

Preparations alone took a year, according to Vogue, with support from Mont Saint-Michel staff and France's Centre des Monuments Nationaux. "It was unprecedented, so we had to obtain a lot of approvals — but thanks to everyone involved, the preparation was enjoyable and efficient," Ming said.

About Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel abbey sits on a small island amid a sandbank between Normandy and Brittany.

The Archangel Saint Michael is said to have appeared at the site around 708 AD.

The abbey buildings were constructed between the 11th and 16th centuries. The complex's centerpiece is La Merveille, built between 1203 and 1228 under Philip II, and the site is also known for its Knights' Hall, guest hall and refectory.

UNESCO designated Mont Saint-Michel a World Heritage Site in 1979. The protected area covers 6,558 hectares.

The site once served as a French military fortress and was used as a prison during the French Revolution.


yul@heraldcorp.com