Guy de Maupassant’s short story, "The Legend of Mont Saint Michel", is an account of a battle between St. Michael and Satan. St. Michael built himself a home on an islet in the ocean (Mont Saint Michel), a residence of great splendor.

The devil, who lived on the hill across the bay, owned all the rich lands which produced fine crops. One day, St. Michael offered the devil a deal: He would work the land, and they would both share the crops equally. The devil agreed, and Satan declared that he would get everything that grew above the ground, while St. Michael would get the crops that grew underground. So the lands produced nothing but carrots, turnips, onions, and parsnips. Satan was furious, but St. Michael offered to give him everything that grew underground the next year. The following year, all of Satan’s lands were covered with wheat, oats, peas, and cabbage that thrives above ground. In the escalating conflict, St. Michael sent Satan flying, and he landed near Mortain, sinking his claws deep into the rock.