Picnic lunch in Villedieu-les-Poeles with amazing pastries for dessert
Bayeux Tapestry
Wine and cheese appetizer
Ice cream for dinner
We missed the beginning of the Tour de France by just a couple of days!
Our Day with the Group
We still had a few hours to enjoy the island. Mornings on Mont St Michel are more utilitarian than magical. The vendors and restaurants use the early morning to bring in all their supplies on huge flats that basically block the entire narrow alley of the island. It is still interesting to see, almost like you are getting a behind the scenes experience. Our group was one of the first to head up to the top of the Mont to explore the abbey with a local guide. Then just as the HUGE crowds were making their way onto the island, we were heading out. And I do mean HUGE crowds. The lines for the shuttles were longer than the island itself.
Our afternoon lunch spot was one of my favorite stops! Virginie gave us free reign to explore the town market and find our own lunch, but she highly recommend the French hot dog stand. I don't even really like hot dogs, but I'm so glad I was willing to be adventurous and try a French one! It was so yummy, and honestly, one of my favorite meals of the trip. It might have just been the perfect setting, but the hot dog was pretty good too. Next, Virginie surprised us with dessert. Not just any dessert, but a decadent array of French pastries. She purchased a variety of confections to split, so we could try several different kinds without being intimidated by the "French-ness" of them! It was perfect, and just one of many reasons why Virginie is one of Rick's best guides.
A perfect lunch
Amazing pastries Virginie surprised us with!
When we arrived in Bayeux we were greeted with the picture perfect French hotel room. Huge windows opened wide onto a garden of amazing flowers. It just doesn't get any more French! The rest of the afternoon was spent on a quick walk through town as Virginie pointed out restaurants and other points of interest. Then we arrived at the Bayeux Tapestry. And I probably shouldn't admit that I didn't know ANYTHING about it, but the museum provided a very informative audio guide that walked you literally step by step around the art. (I have since experienced several random references to the tapestry including my daughter having to study it in her Art History class!)
Our hotel in Bayeux
The view from our window.
Our Free Evening
After the Tapestry, we just wanted to relax. The hotel offered a small selection of wine and cheese and it was the perfect French way to end the perfect French day! We couldn't quite get ourselves organized for a real dinner, so opted instead for some ice cream before heading to our room. I spent the evening catching up with my journal and my daughter, while my mom enjoyed spending some time with her watercolor paints. We knew that tomorrow would be a full day.
Dear Friends:
"Yesterday was about the big wows of seeing Mont St Michel. Today was about the little quintessential things that make France so French! We toured the abbey on Mont St Michel and were able to enjoy the quiet morning before the hordes of tourists descended on the small island. 30,000 people visit here EACH day during the summer. Even with the crowds, it's still worth seeing. Then for lunch we stopped in a little town. Once again we got to experience a small town market day but today instead of buying picnic supplies we got...a FRENCH HOT DOG. Although they don't pronounce the "H" so an "ot dog." Go ahead, say it with your best Inspector Clouseau French accent. It was yummy!! Like a really good sausage in a fresh baguette with mustard. We also got frites (French fries) and nothing is better than an Orangina to drink. ( I'm trying to consume as many as I can before leaving France!). There might have also been some sampling of French pastries. The afternoon found us in Bayeux near the Normandy D day beaches. Our hotel room is the definition of French with huge windows looking out on a magnificent garden. We went to see the famous "Bayeux Tapestry" although I hadn't really heard of it... After completing our cultural requirement we decided to relax in the hotel gardens with wine and cheese. And we might have walked down the street for some ice cream. Now there is much needed relaxation occurring as tomorrow promises to be full with Normandy beaches AND French celebrations for their national holiday."