On the road to Mont St. Michel. It's about 120 miles to MSM from Honfluer, but driving in France is an unexpected pleasure. Of course GPS takes away the stress of navigation, but the roads are excellent and signage is too. I'm also pretty happy with myself doing stick shifting after a many year lapse. I guess it's one of those things you never really forget.
We chose a fairly direct route since we wanted to maximize our time on MSM, so the roads were a mix of two and four lane. Views of the countryside were excellent and Cath was taking plenty of photos. This area is what I would describe as inland Normandy - it's been well away from the coast with a mix of forest and farmland. It is also where the final battles of Normandy took place. About midway on our route is where Patton's 3rd army nearly surrounded the German 7th army. Further south on the route near Avranches is where Hitler ordered a futile attempt to pinch off the American break-out. The Americans prevailed and Normandy was finally liberated.
So as our route looped us around Avranches Cath saw MSM appearing above the horizon - a really neat view. As we drew closer the roads became very rural with farms and small villages. At many spots we could see the Abbey poking above the fields and stopped for photos.
We arrived about noon and got to our hotel. There are vehicles allowed on the mont so you park in a large lot on the mainland and take a shuttle to the foot of the mont on a causeway. From there you walk to the entrance gates. It was low tide and the Mont was surrounded by mudflats and a few channels of water. Otherwise the coast line was pretty far out. We decided on a quick lunch and then a climb up to the Abbey at the top of the Mont. The village at the base is very small. One narrow cobbled street about a quarter mile long, but curving around and sloping uphill. Lots of souvenir and gift shops along with a few small hotels and restaurants. Then the climb into the Abbey proper begins with stairs and ramps - all stone. There are many stops along the way with views of either the Abbey above or the coast and distant channel. It is a long way up, but not too difficult.
The Abbey is really a small cathedral. Very beautiful inside and out. Massive columns, stained glass, quiet gardens. How did they ever lug all those stones up there and work them into an intricate design??? Amazing and worthwhile site.
Back in the village dinner in a nice restaurant with a beautiful view across the estuary to the distant mainland. After dinner we went out to some of the ramparts where we could see the Abbey in the twilight and as its nighttime illumination came on. We were also able to see the tide begin to rush in and fill the estuary at an an amazing rate.
So this has been a day filled with loads of amazing sights and experiences. By the way the weather has been pretty nice all the way from Paris to here. A mix of sun and clouds, temps cool to warm. Today a few threatening clouds, but still pretty good. So will our luck last?? Stay tuned!
Tomorrow on to Bayeux and the sites of the WWII Normandy invasion.
Photos: MSM rising on the horizon; MSM as we approach on the causeway; MSM with nighttime illumination
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