The Magnificant Mont Saint-Michel!

And the traveling has begun! A week ago Monday we were lucky enough to have the day off from class so we took advantage of it to book a trip to the amazing island of Mont Saint-Michel. This was by far one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen in my entire life. So many people said this was a must see while in France, so we sat down and tried to make it happen! After some scheduling setbacks we finally were able to figure out a way to make it work for today, so at 6am we departed the hotel for the train station. (Needless to say I was not a happy camper, and when the man at the front desk told me breakfast wasn't open until 7 and scolded me for taking a croissant he got to experience the wrath of early AM Courtney.). We got to the Montparnasse Train Station, which was surprisingly easy, very clean AND they had fresh smoothies so I knew the day was off to a good start. We boarded the train and it was as we left Paris and started passing through the small towns of France it hit me I'm in France. This week has been the week of "wow I'm  really in Paris" moments, and this was just as impressive. The old fashion little farm towns are honestly straight out of a movie, and I can't help but wonder what life in a small French town really is like. We got to Rennes, the last stop of the train and took a bus to Mont Saint-Michel. We learned a few life lessons about busses In France. 1) You do not eat or drink on the bus. 2) You have a seatbelt that needs to be fastened. 3) Bus drivers will roll down their windows and yell to passing bus drivers a "Bonjour! Ça va?" And then the most down to earth lesson of them all...4) If someone isn't feeling well the bus will pull over for them and wait until they are ready to get back on. As someone whose had her fair share of carsick experiences I was shocked at this common courtesy that would never occur in America.

We got to the Mont and had to take one more shuttle to the castle. The rain was coming down, and we were a little bummed, but as soon as we got off the bus the sky cleared and blue sky started peeking through the clouds! The sight was breathtaking, here in the middle of the water was an Abbey built in 708! We HIKED and I mean hiked up to the entrance of the Abbey and I have to say I was thoroughly impressed by the number of elderly people who were climbing right alongside us. We got our audio guides and set off! The Abbey was built by Aubert, Bishop of Avranches in honor of the Archangel. The idea came to him in a dream and it was set in motion. The Benedictines came and settled into the Abbey in the 10th Century and helped turn it into what it is today. The structure continued expanding, and even served as a stronghold during the Hundred Years War.  Next the abbey moved into the prison phase, and starting during The Revolution until 1863 it was actually used as a prison! Needless to say the history was almost as incredible as the architecture and the view which we were lucky enough to see before the rain! After the tour of the abbey we went looking for a place to have an omelette. The omelette was created by Madame Poulard on this island to feed the large number of Christian pilgrims that ended up at her inn. We went to Madame Poulard's cafe and I was able to try the tradional dish. I was warned by our waiter it would be a little strange, and he was right. Fish soup, potatoes with mushrooms and onions and then this whipped almost so airy it was nonexistent egg. I also tried raspberry cider, another local treat and I have to say that was the best part of the meal. I can say I miss my bacon and egg omelette back home, but hey it's all part of the experience! We explored other shops on the island, before heading back to catch our bus. My friends and I have adopted the saying, "nothing's easy in France," and this was one of those moments! The last shuttle off the island to the train station was overbooked and the driver didn't speak one word of English! She just kept saying "no panic no panic," which we clearly were and then Patrick came to save the day! They brought in another coach bus just for us which certainly provided the laugh of the afternoon. 

Exhausted and finally back to the hotel I was uploading pictures when I realized how truly breathtaking this little island gem was. It's not a place you would make it to if you only had a few days vacation in Paris and was one of the little treasures I will be able to see since I am here so long! 

Until nextime,

XOXOX