France | Linda McLaughlin/Lyndi Lamont

After a long morning drive from Tours, we arrived at Mont St. Michel, one of the most famous sites in France, in late morning.

Mont St. Michel

Rebecca and I had hoped to eat at a particular restaurant in the town, but our lunch stop took place immediately upon arrival, before crossing the causeway, so we ended up with ham and cheese sandwiches at a little fast food spot. Fortunately, they were good. We even had time for a little shopping before boarding the tram that took us over the causeway to the mount. When we got there, we followed Anne for a walking tour. Mont St. Michel is a marvel, built as it is on top of a mound surrounded by the ocean.

It was low tide when we got there, as you can see in thee photos below. The sands around MSM are extremely treacherous with quicksand in places. In the old days, before the causeway was built, people would walk or ride across the sand and some were swallowed up in quicksand. Others perished when the tide came in rapidly, as I’ve heard it can do.

It was a very warm day and the streets of the town were very crowded. We followed Anne up to a lookout where we could see the Abbey above or look out to sea or back towards the land. On one side is Brittany and on the other Normandy. The two provinces have argued over Mont St. Michel, but for now Normandy has won.

Admission to the abbey was not included in our tour, so some of us decided to skip it. Rebecca went with the group that toured the abbey, but I decided to pass. I hadn’t planned on sunshine and I’d dressed far too warmly for the day. It had to be at least 75 degrees, though it felt more like 80. The prospect of climbing more stairs to get up, then having to come back down inside the abbey just didn’t hold much appeal. Plus my feet were killing me. (A problem throughout the tour. Walking on cobblestones is really hard on the feet.) I wandered in and out of the shops and finally bought an ice cream cone in an attempt to cool off. Rebecca was hot and out of breath when we met up afterwards.

Mont St. Michel is an amazing place to see, but I was surprised that it didn’t call to me as I’d expected. I’m not sure why, but I don’t think I’ll be setting any books here anytime soon. I know the crowds didn’t help. I felt overwhelmed and a little claustrophobic at times. A cooler day and fewer people would have helped, so maybe I’ll consider revisiting at a different time of year. I’m glad I saw it though, as it is a unique spot and incredible to see. What an achievement in Medieval building.

Linda

Chenonceau, the “Ladies Chateau,” seems like a good choice for today’s #TuesdayTravels since it falls on Valentine’s Day. This beautiful, relatively small chateau sits on the right bank of the River Cher. In French cher means dear, but it also means expensive, and royal ladies could be very expensive indeed.

Front of Chateau Chenonceau

This front view shows what Chenonceau looked like in the mid-16th century when King Henry II gifted it to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. Diane added an arched bridge over the river. After Henri’s death, his widow, Catherine de Medici, took the chateau back from Diane and built the long gallery atop the bridge, resulting in this view that I call my money shot.

Chateau Chenonceau with bridge & gallery reflected in River Cher

I could hardly blame Catherine. I’d want this place, too. We had an entire morning to explore, starting with a tour of the chateau. Here are some of my photos. We started on the ground floor, including the chapel. I thought it was interesting to see how the floor decorations had been worn off except along the walls.

It was fun to visit the kitchen down a floor. That’s where my ancestors would have worked, I’m sure. The kitchen level is closer to the river, making it easy for them to receive provisions from boats below.

Upstairs, we saw the bedrooms, including some cool paintings, one of Chenonceau itself. The draperies on the beds weren’t just for decoration. By closing the drapes, the bed area stayed warmer in an era where the only heat came from fireplaces.

The most unusual bedroom is the Black Room of Louise de Lorraine, widow of King Henri III. After his assassination, she had her room redecorated entirely in black and lived there for many years afterwards. Rebecca declined to see the room, figuring it was haunted, but I was curious. I don’t see ghosts, but I can sometimes sense things in places, esp. old buildings, but I didn’t feel anything creepy or sad in the room. I think she worked through her grief. I did manage to get a photo of the bed, despite the darkness.

The long gallery was originally used for balls and other entertainments. Now the second floor is give over to the Medici Art Gallery.

There are two separate formal gardens at Chenonceau, each planted by the ladies. Catherine de Medici’s garden is more natural looking, with its profusion of flowers and I liked it best.

Diane de Poitier’s garden 1s more formal, though also lovely.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. See you next week with more #TuesdayTravels.

Linda

Linda McLaughlin/Lyndi Lamont

Romance author

Tag Archives: France

A Day at Mont St. Michel, France #TuesdayTravels #MFRWauthor

Chenonceau, The Ladies Chateau, Loire Valley #TuesdayTravels