A Touch of Normandy

Thursday 22 August and Friday 23 August

Thursday

Not too much of a rush this morning as we said goodbye to Rowena and Chris, such lovely friendly people, and packed ourselves into the car for the second to last time.  This morning was extra squeezy as we had to deliver Tiste and his bag to the Quimper station - only twenty minutes of agony! Sunny and very warm was the forecast for our travels.   Our route took us east and then a bit north for an hour and a half to our planned lunch stop, medieval Josselin on the banks of the Nantes-Brest Canal and still in Brittany (Morbihan department). Great recommendation from Ken - it is lovely.  We parked by the canal which is overlooked by a totally pretty little chateau. 

 Josselin  - chateau, canal and flowers

Tubs of flowers everywhere and some brightly coloured canoes on the canal.  There was a hotel by the canal offering a lunch menu but things were rather quiet in this part of town so we walked up the  hill path beside the chateau to the centre.  What a charming place, with colombage buildings painted many different colours, cobbled lanes and a sunny main square lined with restaurants. 

Main square, Josselin

  We found a nice table on the terrace of one restaurant that had a wide variety of dishes on the menu and a shady awning.  In addition, the waiter was extra pleasant and helpful and the whole place had a really happy vibe.  Lunch was delicious and the salads were just-picked fresh.  We were well satisfied with Josselin - a lovely place for a break in the journey and a jolly good lunch.

Medieval Josselin

The day was really warming up to the predicted 30 plus degrees as we set off for Normandy, via Rennes and then heading north to Le Mont Saint Michel, another hour and a half on the motorway.
The car park was park was predictably very full but we thought it was worth having a look at this iconic French landmark as we were passing in the vicinity.  We walked to the beginning of the causeway and the girls decided that the view from a distance was enough to satisfy them.  The heat, crowds and prospect of  a  steep climb up to the abbey all combined to deter any enthusiasm for a closer inspection.  Le Mont St Michel is a stunning and interesting  place but several hours are needed to do it justice.  It was great to see it on a bright sunny day and to get an appreciation of the setting amongst the farms and tidal flats of the bay.

Mont St Michel

The last couple of hours of our journey to Honfleur on the Normandy coast were very scenic.  The autoroute climbs quite high as it crosses the base of the Cherbourg (or Cotentin) Peninsula and affords magnificent views of the countryside for many kilometres. The pastures are lush, the cows enormous and the tractors monstrous! The landscape is  a maze of fields, woods, villages and rolling hills.  The only snag of the day was a tedious traffic jam on the ring road around the city of Caen but we eventually cut loose and in no time arrived at our hotel just one block from the harbour at Honfleur. A lucky find was a car park right outside the hotel (Ibis Styles) and we settled into the colourful modern rooms quickly, then headed out for a walk around the crowded harbour.  Honfleur was bustling as usual and looked enchanting in the evening light.  
 

Evening, Honfleur Harbour

Maree and Melanie wandered off for some retail therapy (last minute gifts) and Jess and I found a good table at a restaurant right beside the harbour.  The prices are exorbitant in this location but what the heck -  last night of our travels and all.  Maree and Mel found us and we had a lovely dinner - food ok, wine excellent, location spot on.  After dinner, and by this time it was dark, we strolled back to the hotel admiring the lights twinkling on the water and the full moon coming up over the river.  A fitting end to a really enjoyable day.

 View from the restaurant, Honfleur Harbour

Friday
We had plenty of time this morning to enjoy breakfast at the hotel, to explore Honfleur, to do a little last minute shopping and to have lunch near the harbour (easier on the wallet) before driving to our hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport.  Splendid weather again for the final day of our amazing tour of France.  Honfleur is a lovely place to spend a morning.

Jess - Honfleur harbour

 Jess and I were quite taken by a number of little dogs sitting in the doorways of their owner's shops - very cute indeed.  Little friendly guard dogs.

 Love the shop dogs of Honfleur

 Honfleur is very photogenic and the weather was perfect this morning

 Lunch anyone?

So, only a brief look at Normandy but well worth the detour en route to Paris.
The drive to the airport, past Rouen on the autoroute and then across country to link up with a northern by-pass of Paris was hampered by a lengthy hold up in Vernon (roadworks) but was otherwise straightforward and we rolled up to the Peugeot drop off depot on time. Our route took us  through Giverny and we stopped to peek over the fence of Monet's garden - crowds of people visiting even though it was late in the afternoon. The road meandered along a pretty valley before reaching a not too busy motorway that took us all the way to Charles de Gaulle without any hassles - must remember this route away from Paris - very easy access to and from the airport. I have enjoyed driving the 308 station wagon around France - comfortable, spacious and economical (diesel).  Highly recommended. Jess and I had no trouble delivering the car and then taking our extra bag to spend the week at the baggage store in Terminal 2 (so we don't have to take it to Norway). The hotel (Radisson Blu)  was nothing to write home about - overpriced food, smelly room, pathetic Internet connection - but no drama - only a place to sleep for the night and it did have a shuttle service to the airport.  Tomorrow a new adventure!