Victory day 'weekend'

The weekend past offered up a bridge day to turn it into a long one. It also hosted the French presidential elections on Sunday, and Victory Day commemorations on the Tuesday. Sunday proved to be Nicolas Sarkozy's very own Victory Day, a megalomaniac dream come true. Perhaps I should review my comments in the previous posting, as one of the areas of reform will no doubt be the immigration legislation. I should take my cue from the leer jet, luxury yacht owning 'friends' and start kissing butt. When will the electorate realise that politicians just lie? With the people... ja right!

Ah well enough of that, there are many a photie to get through since we took advantage of the long weekend to explore the wild coast of Normandy and Brittany, the land of crêpes and cider. What a beautiful spot! Well worth the visit if you find yourself in France.

First stop Mont Saint Michel, which lies in the bay that plays host to the greatest tide fluctuation in the world. So for half the time the Mont is essentially an island (before man got involver and built a dyke with a road on top of it, which will be undone in 2012), and the other half it is part of the mainland with only a squishy walk separating it from the dry. A spectacular abbey sits atop the granite bolder, a must see.

A dish of the area is salted field lamb, obviously one of these guys that dines on the grass in the 'flood' plain.

A view of the sands at low tide with the island, Rocher de Tomberlaine, about 3km in distance.

A nifty winch system, back in the old days when it was used as a prison, the supplies could be dragged up the rock using a prisoner powered winch. Yip, a giant hamster wheel, add a few prisoners and voilà.

And St Michel himself, obviously a sculpture by a sculptor and not a swordsman what with the sword and scabbard on the same side...

A little circuit inland took in Fougères amongst others. What a charming town, spectacularly clean and well looked after with an great mix of old and new and beautiful gardens. Amazing to see a city like this where it feels like everyone is proud to be a part of it and does their bit to make it a stunning place to visit. Did I mention a cool little crêperie?

Looking across at the old château in Fougères.

A cool thing that all cities should have, a signposted hour long walk of the historical, cultural and beautiful spots that one can easily do when popping in for a crêpe. As seen above, a part of this walk with the signpost showing you what is coming up next.

A visit to the French countryside will undoubtedly mean a few châteaux, and this trip was no exception. Château de Bonnefontaine provided a pleasant stretch the legs stroll around their park.

Château Combourg is a far more interesting stop. In the days gone by, the home of writer Chateaubriand.

And a great garden for a game of cricket...

St Malo can be found where the Rance river says 'howzit' to the Channel, the old walled city is great to stroll around, and lunch at Crêperie Margaux, the best we visited. A strong nautical history, a place corsairs and explorers called home.

Across the Rance from St Malo lies Dinard, half vacant town awaiting the swallows from England to arrive to dust off their stately homes.

View of St Malo from Dinard.

Pointe du Grouin is where the mainland meets the Channel just up the road from Cancale. Ahhhh the oysters, so tasty!!!
















St Suliac, number 2 of the most beautiful villages in France ticked off the list. Cute!

Inland along the Rance, where it looks more river-like than estuary, lies Dinan with an ancient city that lies within the old rampart walls. More cityish feeling than the others, but steeped in history with ancient spots that makes exploring intriguing.

The rue de la soif in Dinan, full of bars that should be tackled in a single night apparently.

So that's Brittany and a little of Normandy. Summed up by spectacular scenery, kind, 'go out of their way' people (yes, I know, it's just not French), oodles of history and of course crêpes and cider...

Back to Paris and duelling for one's spot in the pedestrian crossing, let alone the food chain. I think they could learn a thing or two from those out west.

Lots to explore, I am sure you will see more of Brittany in the future. Happy crêping!