Spectacular Mont St. Michel

 

We have made arrangements to meet Mr. Louchine to check out of the apt and he arrives promptly at 10:00am. We bid farewell to Bayeux and set our sights and Nav system to our next destination of St. Malo. Along the route we will stop at Mont St. Michel, an Abbey that began construction in the year 708.  It is an amazing piece of architecture. This Abbey is among the top 4 pilgrimage sites of Christendom and understandably so.  We tour the site and make our way up the many winding cobble stone steps to the top of the Abbey.  Mass is being held and communion is being offered to those who wish to partake.  The priests wander through the crowd giving many blessings.  It is a quiet reflective moment and we take it all in.  The Abbey is built on an island in the Bay of Mont St. Michel so you can imagine the beauty of the surroundings.  The Couesnon River flows into the Bay adding to the dramatic view.  We soak in the beauty then make out way back down the winding steps to find ourselves smack dab in the middle of the souvenir shop!  Rather like exiting a ride a Disney Land.  That’s one way to generate funds for the continued renovation of the grounds.  A small village circles the base of the Abbey with many small restaurants and shops.  Obviously the locals rely on an endless supply of tourists.  Fortunately we arrive at the end of the tourist season so the crowds are minimal.  We grab a quick baguette and return to the car to continue on to the beach at St. Malo.

 Thirty minutes later we enter the town and boy is this a different feel to all the other places we have been.  Quite modern by comparison but our hotel is a beautifully renovated mini mc mansion.  It is perfectly appointed and the rooms are spacious and comfortable.  We have a view of the English Channel and the boardwalk is a block from our hotel.  Old town is an easy 30 minute walk and our concierge has recommended restaurant row for a place to have dinner.  It is a perfect 70 degree day and we have worked up a thirst so we stop along the boardwalk to enjoy a nice cold beer. 

 Again tourist season has ended so many of the building have been boarded up.  We enter the archway to old town and find ourselves back on the cobble stone narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants and of course the local church.  Food is on our mind and we blindly choose one of the many restaurants.  After consuming our meal we are all delighted with our choice. 

 On our walk to old town we noticed how far out the tide is.  Upon our return a couple of hours later the tide has come in and is now at the foot of the sea wall.  St. Malo boasts one of the most dramatic tide changes measuring approximately 50 feet between High and Low tides.  The other thing we noticed was that all the restaurants were virtually empty and are now teeming with people.  Oh those French, eating so fashionably late!  The evening air has turned brisk so we make a rapid return to our hotel.  A night cap at the hotel and another sun has set on the glorious adventure.