Wrapping up our love affair with France at Mont St. Michel and Monet’s Garden, and in my mind, we saved the best for last.
Between Caen and Paris are two of France’s most treasured spots. This post is more about sharing photos rather than telling stories.
The stunning Mont St. Michel is a testament to the monks who created this tidal-island commune beginning in the first century. It sits one kilometer off the coast of northwest France near Normandy and rises out of the waters like a vision. Throughout the years, it has withstood sieges, served as a prison, and been occupied by German soldiers, yet its abbey remained. Even today, the abbey has 20-something monks and three nuns. In the small village surrounding the abbey are narrow paths lined with shops, restaurants, ice cream vendors, and loads of tour bus visitors. At low tide, visitors and pilgrims to the abbey can walk the mile causeway to the commune. When the water is out, daring people walk far out on the exposed beach, tempting fate and teasing the tide that can rise 45 feet in less than an hour at high tide. When seen from a distance, the Mont Saint Michel looks like a gossamer oasis on the horizon.
Monet’s Garden in the tiny village of Giverny is everything I dreamed it might be. We walked a path around Mr. Monet’s famous water lily pond, surrounded by a jungle of perfectly tended flowers. Birds sang out. Though massive crowds were on hand that day, everyone maintained a reverent demeanor. The serenity of the place seemed contagious to all the visitors; we walked along imagining solitude and peace, smelling a blossom here and there, and taking photos. It is no wonder this garden and his lovely and comfortable house inspired so many dream-like Monet paintings that live on to delight us for ages.
That’s a wrap for France. We may have saved the best for last, but we fully enjoyed every moment here. Merci France!
No more croissants and Tradi baguettes for us, bring on the Irish soda bread and scones.
We are off to Ireland tomorrow!
What a beautiful wrap to your exploration of France! The Abbey is simply beautiful, sitting way up there in all its majesty! And, such complete immersion into Monet’s “world” will be a memory that never fades! Enjoy Ireland, mes amis!
Hello Gail and Chuck!!! I’m very late in responding but I thank you for your note about Mont St. Michel and Money’s Garden . . . these two sights were magnificent. Compared to France, Ireland is like a whole new world, but wonderful, none the less . . . pastoral, hilly, rocky ruged, and green!!!! Lots of sheep and cows!!!
What a heavenly day! You are such a good photographer! And I love your pink outfit! Have fun in Ireland
Lois, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear from you and to know that you indulge and muddle through my musings!! Thank you so much!!!
Beautiful flowers and you look pretty in pink. I wonder how many have drowned when the tide rolled in?? Enjoy Ireland!
Hi, Gary, hi, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I do like pink! And yes, the friendly young lady who offered to take that photo told us that drownings have happened. Like motorcycle riding, teasing the rapidly rising tide is a dangerous sport. Y’all take care!!!!!