Mont Saint Michel

Honestly, it’s thanks to the World Showcase at Epcot that we know about Mont Saint Michel and have this on our list of places to visit.  We didn’t know much about it other than what we’d seen in the France movie at Epcot, but as we drove through the fields, all of a sudden this magnificent castle seemed to penetrate the sky out of nowhere.  Apparently the best time to visit Mont Saint Michel is during high tide and while we were in the area, because of the phase of the moon at the end of the month, the tide wasn’t high.  We arrived early in the morning just in case we could catch a glimpse of the magic, not fully understanding the high tide phenomenon.  After walking across a bridge and oohing and ahhh-ing, we read a sign that warned people that if their vehicle was parked in that area, that it would be underwater later in the day. 

Not a sign you see everyday!

Because of high tide and the dam that they built to help control the water around Mont Saint Michel, at certain points of the day the entire castle rises up completely surrounded by water!

Looking across the field to Mont Saint Michel

Family in front of Mont Saint Michel

We toured the castle, learning its rich history of having been a stronghold turned monastery turned prison and ultimately reverted back to a monastery.  Then after stopping for crepes, we ventured out along the cliffs where the water had receded and the kids had fun exploring and jumping around.  Mom and G dared to follow some of the guided groups out onto the quick-sand-like beach that had been covered in higher tides.  They were able to get t a glimpse of the castle from a different perspective and get dirty, plus it was just fun to say they did it on the one time in their lives that they will probably ever visit this place.

Steps up to the castle

Inside Mont Saint Michel

Image of an angel poking the skull of the bishop after having to repeatedly tell him to build a church on the site

SJ in front of wheel used to pull items up into the castle

Castle wall

Boys climbing around the boulders at the base of Mont Saint Michel

G literally sinking in the quick sand

Mom & G walking through the quick sand area

Mom & G getting dirty

G in front of Mont Saint Michel

Since it was mid-afternoon and we had no place to be, we stopped in Bayeaux and saw the Bayeaux Tapestry, the oldest known comic strip of sorts.  This embroidered piece of art is over 205 feet long and depicts the rise to power of William the Conqueror as he took control of England.  There are 58 detailed scenes including everything from Halley’s Comet, an appearance of Mont Saint Michael, and ending with a brutal scene showing the Battle of Hastings.

During the car ride the children were thrilled to watch Great Courses on some of the topics we were being exposed to.  And lucky for them, even though they didn’t think so at the time, when we weren’t watching those we were listening to Les Miserables and explaining the Victor Hugo's famous story to them.  From Mom and Dad’s perspective it was beautiful and amazing to be doing this while driving through France, but not all agreed.

Needless to say, by the time we arrived at our place Mom and Dad decided a date night (escape-night) was needed.  We went into the nearby village and ate at a restaurant that our hosts had recommended.  The area we are staying in is not a tourist hot spot and so it appeared that we were the only non-locals dining there.  We guessed at what we were ordering, hoping to enjoy some of the famed local cuisine.  We had to stifle our shock and amazement when they set a cold pot of a half eaten something in front of Dad that had white cold lard present on the sides of the meatloaf-like mixture.  The wait staff was good natured and while it wasn’t the gourmet night out we’d hoped for, we were happy to have some time to ourselves while the kids stayed home and studied.

This mystery meat was placed in front of us as seen as part of our appetizer