Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo

Last Saturday morning I went to the farmer’s market in Angers.  I enjoyed the lovely morning with some time to myself, browsing the produce and wondering a bit before returning home to go back to sleep.

Farmer's Market in Angers

Fountain in Centre Ville, by the Farmer's Market

Later that evening, Wenonah, Mina, and I celebrated the house to ourselves while Madame and Jean spent the weekend at the beach by cooking dinner together.  It included a minor panic attack when we couldn’t get the chicken out of the oven because the door was locked and we had accidentally set the oven to clean itself (and our chicken).  Oops.  Miraculously, the chicken turned out perfectly when we managed to finally rescue it!

Sunday I woke up early again to go on an excursion with my school.  We went to Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo.  Mont Saint Michel, located on the border of Normandy and Brittany, is one of the most touristy places in France, but for a good reason.  The sight of the massive abbey on top of the summit is amazing.  The island is surrounded by water or vast expanses of sand, depending on the tide which is extraordinarily strong (has actually killed people). 

Mont Saint Michel

Construction of the abbey started in the 8^th century and was finished in the 16^th century.  It was originally a chapel, then an abbey for the Benedictines, later a military fortress during the Hundred Years War, and a prison after the Revolution.  Eventually it was returned to the Benedictines (1966), but the Service des Monuments Historiques started restoration in 1874.

My favorite part was the amazing view from the top of the surrounding sea and countryside, but the rooms inside were also very neat.  Super cool place to visit.

View from the top toward the mainland

Me & Mina at the top

This one's for Rose :)

Church inside

Cloister

After Mont Saint Michel, we headed to Saint Malo, a small port city in Brittany with a lot of history (like all European cities).  The old part of the city is surrounded by ramparts constructed in the 17^th century.  In WWII, the area inside was bombed and 80% was destroyed by the fire.  However after the war, the buildings were reconstructed to look exactly like they did before, which is rare for many small cities that were attacked.  This is also a city that sent many ships to North America for exploration, including Jacques Cartier (the man who claimed Canada).  Today, Saint Malo is still a “cité corsaire”, meaning that it is home to many ships and sailors that are like pirates with authorization from the government.

Ramparts around Saint Malo

Port

View of a line of Crêperies from the top of the ramparts

The region is known for crêpes, oysters, muscles, galettes (similar to a crêpe, but not a desert), and many vegetables such as cabbage.  I spent the afternoon in the old city, eating crêpes, drinking cider, exploring a bit, and then playing on the beach.  I really enjoyed the city and hope to go back to Brittany (Bretagne) before the end of the semester.  It’s a very beautiful region!

Street view of the line of Crêperies

Sipping Cider

The Beach

Kites in the distance

Me and my friend Anne, whom I spent the afternoon with

I had four tests in school this week and a presentation.  All went well, but I was very busy.  Wednesday night my program had a party themed “Chic Choq” (“choq”=shock).  It was a blast!  I wore a dress and a huge hat that I borrowed from my French little sister.  Lots of dancing and chatting with my classmates.  I also met a lot of French students, woo hoo!  I love talking to French people my age!  Honestly, when I came to France I didn’t expect the people to be so welcoming, but everyone has been very nice to me, especially the students.

Chic Choc with my Monitrice Julie (French) and friend Matt (Canadian)

This weekend I’m looking forward to a few excursions, but I won’t spoil the surprise :)