A challenging night of sleep for three of us last night. Audrey was forced to move to the living room because the music from the bowling lanes next door was too much to compete with. Amanda couldn’t fall asleep until 1:15 but did fine after that. JM was wide awake from 5:45 to 7:45, then managed to get back to sleep until about 9:00. Gerry said he got a decent night sleep, which would be a good thing as we had many steps to take today.
We were on the road shortly after 9:00, destination Beauvoir. One thing we have been noticing going through many of the small towns, is that the town name signs have been upside down…. After some quick research Amanda figured out the reason why.
We were on the road shortly after 9:00, destination Beauvoir. One thing we have been noticing going through many of the small towns, is that the town name signs have been upside down…. After some quick research Amanda figured out the reason why.
![]() |
Upside-Down Town Sign |
We arrived in Beauvoir just before noon. It brought up some great memories for Mandy and I as we had stopped here on our bike trip with the boys ten years ago in the summer of 2014. We ended up getting some sandwiches for lunch at the same bakery we had gotten some pre-dinner treats the last time we were here.
![]() |
Boulangerie Mont Moulin |
![]() |
Not Sure If The French Appreciate It, But We Think It’s Hilarious…. |
Once we finished fueling up we started the 4.5 km walk to Mont Saint-Michel.
From Wikipedia:
“Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island and mainland commune in the.Normandy area of France. The commune's position—on an island just a few hundred metres (yards) from land—made it accessible at low tide to the many pilgrims to its abbey, and defensible as the incoming tide stranded, drove off, or drowned would-be assailants. The island remained unconquered during the Hundred Years War. A small garrison fended off a full attack by the English in 1433. Louis XI recognized the benefits of its natural defence and turned it into a prison. The abbey was used regularly as a prison during the Ancien Régime.
Mont-Saint-Michel and its surrounding bay were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 for its unique aesthetic and importance as a Catholic site. It is visited by more than three million people each year, and is the most-visited tourist attraction outside of Paris. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.
In 2023, President Macron marked 1,000 years of the abbey, and the success of the hydraulic dam project and the elevated pedestrian bridge in restoring water flow in the bay, making the mount an island again.”
It was hard not to be impressed as Mont Saint-Michel got closer and closer. Once inside the city and the abbey in particular it is mind-boggling how this was constructed with the tools that would have been available over 1,000 years ago.
Mont-Saint-Michel and its surrounding bay were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 for its unique aesthetic and importance as a Catholic site. It is visited by more than three million people each year, and is the most-visited tourist attraction outside of Paris. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.
In 2023, President Macron marked 1,000 years of the abbey, and the success of the hydraulic dam project and the elevated pedestrian bridge in restoring water flow in the bay, making the mount an island again.”
It was hard not to be impressed as Mont Saint-Michel got closer and closer. Once inside the city and the abbey in particular it is mind-boggling how this was constructed with the tools that would have been available over 1,000 years ago.
![]() |
On The Approach To Mont Saint-Michel |
![]() |
Getting Closer… |
![]() |
The Big Wheel |
![]() |
Rest Spot |
![]() |
Beauvoir In The Distance From The Top Of MSM |
After making our way through everything, we started the long walk back to town via a few little shops. Another thing that caught our attention since being here is many ball-like vegetations in many of the deciduous trees. They make me think of Dr. Seuss stories. After consulting Google we were informed that these balls are actually mistletoe. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that extracts water and nutrients from the host tree. Fortunately an infestation of mistletoe is usually not lethal for the host trees.
![]() |
Mistletoe Infestation |
Everybody had a nice rest back at the apartment from about 4:00-6:30, except for Ger who had some work that came up that he had to take care of.😡 We had dinner at a place called Bistro du Mont. Gerry - Mussels in cream sauce, JM - Mussels Marinière, Audrey - Four cheese pizza with jambon, Amanda - Fish and chips. JM and Audrey dessert - crème brûlée. Everybody really enjoyed their meals.
![]() |
Audrey |
![]() |
Amanda |
We are back at the apartment again, taking it easy before bed. Gerry has a bit more work to do so we are trying to keep quiet and stay out of his hair. We are headed to Saintes tomorrow, and will be trying to stop somewhere for a Remembrance Day ceremony.
That’s it for tonight. Thanks for reading, everybody! À demain!!
This is definitely on my France to do one day 👍
ReplyDeleteWe would definitely recommend it if you get the chance!
Delete