Tuesday, October 13, 2009

North of France

Our penultimate trip (for this go-round, at least!) was a week in the north of France. We flew to Paris Orly, picked up a rental car, and headed out.

We spent the first two days in Bayeux, where we saw the famous tapestry and several D-Day cemeteries. We paid a visit to Omaha Beach and the American cemetery there, although we both agreed that we liked the British cemetery in Bayeux the best. It was more personal since each headstone had a message from relatives on it. We even visited a German cemetery, just to cover everyone. We also drank lots of cider, since that region is known for it.


A street in Bayeux


The cathedral in Bayeux (see the US flag?)


The US cemetery at Omaha Beach

From there, we drove east to see the sight that is Mont St. Michel. It's quite spectacular, but the walkway up to the abbey is nothing but touristy junk shops and restaurants. Although the crowds thinned out a bit by the time we got into the tour of the abbey itself. We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch about 1/2 way up the mount in a park that overlooked the bay and the causeway from the mainland.


On the walkway leading down from the abbey

We had booked into a hotel just down the road and expected to stay in a grand manor home. But, turns out they put us in this hut thing. We were not happy. Maybe if we had expected to stay in it... But oh well.


The hut

Then it was a long drive to the Loire Valley. We stopped first at Fontevraud Abbey, the final resting place of King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Richard I (Lionheart). It was a beautiful abbey and well kept.


The Plantagenets and their final resting place


The all-stone kitchen at the abbey

From there, we headed to our B&B in a town called Mosnes, just off the Loire river. It was a gorgeous B&B. The owners were super-nice, and our room was impeccable. Not too much going on in the town itself, but there was a hotel up the road that had a great restaurant where we ate twice.

We visted 3 of the main chateaux over the next couple of days: Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord. Spectacular. I like Cheverny the best because it had fully-furnished interiors. :)


Chenonceau


Cheverny


Chambord

We even rented bikes for an hour at Chambord and had a quick ride around the grounds. Fun!


You really don't ever forget how!


My chateau is THIS BIG!

We also paid a brief visit to the city of Blois.


A church in Blois

Our final night we spent in Chartres. We had a fantastic room that was just a stone's throw away from the amazing cathedral. Chartres is a really nice town also.


At Chartres cathedral


This is how close the hotel was to the cathedral...

It was a really great trip. We decided that we are definitely more north of France type people than south of France. It's just too bloody hot in the south!

No comments:

Post a Comment