We are now based in the beautiful seaside walled town of St Malo. Almost completely destroyed during WWII, it has been rebuilt as the narrow streets walked town that it was.
Today we took a bus to Mont St Michel (known as the Wonder of the West for almost 1000 years). The monastery built on a small rocky island beginning in 708. A stunning site from a distance and beautiful up close.
However it is school holidays here in France so the place was pretty full of holiday makers- although not as bad as in summer.
Our bus from St Malo took us along secondary roads through very pretty countryside-lush and green at the moment with old farms and villages. There is a free bus shuttle from the very extensive car parks to a point fairly close to the island. From there it is by foot. No vehicles on the island. The small town at the base of the island is full of tourist shops, cafes, bars and a few hotels.
More climbing brings you to the abbey (9 euros entrance and well worth it). The building of the abbey happened in stages over a few hundred years; it was used as a prison for nearly a century after the French Revolution; and is now owned, operated, maintained and restored by the French National Monuments organization.
We've had glorious sunny weather today- perfect for this outing. We see Ian's cousin, Ann, and her husband, Clive, tomorrow for lunch.
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