PARIS: 2007, 2015
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MONT ST. MICHEL
On our third and final day in Bayeux, we boarded the bus for Mont St. Michel. At the time, I didn't know it was possible to spend the night there, but it is! There are some great photos on flickr (by other photographers) of Mont St. Michel in the evening and nighttime.
We were so eager to get to the abbey, then suddenly there was a herd of sheep blocking the way! This picture was taken from midpoint in the bus, through the bus's front window.
I got a better image out of the side window of the bus.
At this point, we didn't yet know of the interconnectedness between the land and the sheep. It used to be that you needed to time your arrival to Mont St. Michel to the tides. If there was a low tide, you could get out to the abbey, but you might be stranded there at high tide and unable to get back. To promote tourism, they constructed a road to the abbey so travelers could get in and out, low or high tide. (They hadn't counted on sea levels rising!)
The tides carry seawater over the land, so the grasslands on which the sheep graze are heavily salinated. This results in wonderfully tasty butter and cheese, and, the most delicious lamb!!
(Taken from inside the bus)
A long walkway leading from the carpark to the Abbey entrance
Our time on the island was limited, there was just enough time for a walk through the winding streets up into the church.
This model ship is suspended in the sanctuary, a reminder to hold in prayer the local fishermen who make their living on the sea.
The crypt of giant pillars.
Shadow of Mont St. Michel in the surrounding waters of the Normandy Coast at low tide.
The cloister.
The cloister.
View from an overlook of the walkway leading to the abbey from the car parks.
And more views of the walkway through the tinted glass and thick walls inside the abbey.
The tour had arranged for lunch outside the abbey, so no time to wait for an omelette at the renowned Madame Poulard restaurant.
The average omelette price at La Mere Poulard is about 40 euros (with pan-fried foie gras).
Another reason for my selecting the Road Scholar tour in 2015 was its inclusion of the charming port city of Honfleur. I had fallen in love with Honfleur on an episode of Samantha Brown's Passport to Europe, and it was a must-see in Normandy. The next day we headed to Honfleur.
Our lunch omelette was considerably smaller than those offered at La Mere Poulard but it was delicious and perfectly sized for one.
Beautiful countryside from Mont St. Michel to Honfleur
Honfleur
Honfleur is in the northeast of Normandy, located at an estuary where the Seine flows into the English Channel.
We were on our own in Honfleur, the bus dropping us off in a parking lot near Saint Catherine's Church. Most of us toured Saint Catherine's on our own, then spent the next two hours wandering the old streets, looking into shops and then having lunch.
St. Catherine's Church is noted for being the largest timber built church in France. It's also unique in that its bell tower is across the street from the sanctuary of the church.
The organ is impressive and was brought to Honfleur from St. Vincent's in Rouen.
Beautiful evocative sculptures.
We then headed out to explore the town of Honfleur.
Two sets of chairs - one for sitting; the other for kneeling.
I wonder if this lady is the proprietress or a guest. Why is she at the window - what does she hope to see? What is she thinking?
The old saying "they had everything from soup to nuts applies to Honfleur; everything from glaceed fruit to absinthe to meringues!
Pastries!
And meringues!
Breton cake!
Even gluten-free Breton cake!! (sans gluten)
Meringues are popular!!
In two hours we had just enough time to quickly tour St. Catherine's, explore the semi-circle around the estuary, stop in a few shops and eat lunch.
For lunch, I tried the restaurant "special." It was something I'd never tried - skate (similar to a manta ray or "sting ray"). A little on the tough side.
One of those times you wished you'd gone conservative and ordered the quiche and salad like your tour mates!
One couple in our tour group decided to forego touring Honfleur and, instead, made their way to a very chic restaurant/hotel for a memorable meal overlooking the Channel. Then and there they decided to extend their stay and return to Honfleur when the tour ended, for a weekend stay in their new favorite place!
Jolie France - c'est vrai!
It's understandable why the impressionists would come to Honfleur to paint the bay, colored by the changing light. Again, a place I would love to come back to. This was the last day of the Road Scholar tour that finished off with an afternoon in Versailles.
