The first day of our road trip took us out of Paris and into Normandy. I had been wanting to see Mt-St-Michel for years, and having a car full of friends along is really the best way to do it. We arrived about mid-day, and first stopped at the "Biscuiterie de la Baie du Mont St.Michel." (following instructions from Rick Steves. He gave us a lot of helpful tips). They had free samples and we all picked up some tins of biscuits and Normandy cider.
After picture taking, we went and parked on the mainland, then walked across the causeway to the island. It used to be that when the tide was out, you walked across the mud-flats on a little causeway, (which could turn into quicksand). Then had to get back off the island before the tide came back in, which it does very quickly.
After we made it across, again we took Rick Steves' advice, and entered through the side gate to avoid the crowded main street. We made it to the top, found some food, and enjoyed it in the sun. Then we went to the Abbey, the main attraction. It was first established as a monastery in the 8th century, and survived assaults during the 100 years war. Then was turned into a prison during the revolution until it was turned back into an Abbey in 1874.
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| the chapel |
So we toured the abbey, taking in all the lovely history and various views of the countryside from all the windows. We walked around the little town, where about 30 people live year round, and had fancy crepes.
We walked back across to the little town, went to the cool new dam, then had some coffee to wait until nightfall. Molly insisted the little mount all lit up at night would be worth waiting for, and it was. So we stuck around for an hour and watched the tide come in with everyone else lining the road.
So after seeing it lit up all pretty, we hit the road to find dinner. Which turned out to be raiding a grocery store of cheese, bread, saucissons, ham, and chocolate. We enjoyed our feast back in a little seaside town called Cabourg, where Paul's aunt and uncle have an apartment we used.
Some other cool shots of the Abbey, the town, and the countryside.
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| in the cloisters. photo by: Paul Bourdois |
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| photo by: Paul Bourdois |
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| view of the Counesnon River |
When I was in my teens, my mom used to show me pictures of Paris, the Eiffel tower and other popular attractions of France like the Mont Saint Michel France. I was fascinated by the fact that this beautiful structure is constructed in the sea and the roadway to this structure opens at specific times. I wonder how the locals might travel to get essentials during flooding on high water levels. I would love to visit this beautiful place sometime soon.
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