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Published: September 30th 2017
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Pain au chocolat was the main course ... Geo: 48.636, -1.51208
Breakfast was once again pastries, and once again, it was cold eating them out in front of the TI, which has become my pastry-eating place - the problem with the town is that there aren't many conveniently-located plazas with benches to sit on, so the TI ends up serving that purpose for me. Off to the shuttle to Mont St. Michel - our driver is actually from Montreal, but moved here many years ago. I ended up sitting next to a nice older couple from Edmonton - we discussed our various travels, and how they had fallen in love with rural life here in France, and how they'd like to retire here, perhaps running a Bed & Breakfast. I recommended they do that, so that I could spend my holidays here in France at their B&B, and they could spend their holidays at my future Spanish hotel.
Mont St. Michel - on its own, it's not the most impressive abbey you will ever see, but tres cool because of its stunning location. The interior isn't anything special; Mont St. Michel is all about the view from the causeway, from where it's an otherworldly vision. After, I walked along the
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... and patte d'or was the dessert! It was a type of turnover with a great apple filling that was crisp, and not mushy like it can be. Naturally sweet, it was delicious - my only complaint was that the apple wasn't evenly distributed, so the last few bits of the turnover were nothing but pastry. But it was really good pastry ... this place is now my fave bakery in town, as I've already eaten pastries from here at least three times. ramparts to escape the tourist hordes below - the crush of tourists is completely suffocating, and seeing it up close made me glad that I didn't stay nearby, and instead day-tripped from Bayeux.
After touring the tiny town, I sat with the Edmonton couple on some rocks, waiting for the shuttle, then boarded and headed back to Bayeux. I didn't have a chance to eat lunch at Mont St. Michel, only snacks, so I was starving by the time we returned, so I stopped in a fancy tea house for a quick bite to eat.
After, I wandered around town, did some shopping, and proceeded to check out the offerings at five other pastry shops. I can't stop doing that while in France!!! Off to see the tapestry, Bayeux's most famous sight. The artwork is the equivalent of finger painting, but really, it is impressive because it was made over 1000 years ago. It's the story of William the Conqueror's rise to power.
Sadly, the most interesting facts for me were that William was originally called "William the Bastard" (how's that for a name?), and that the French called the English "Les goddams", after the word they always heard the
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Mont St. Michel, in the distance. I think there's a scratch on my camera lens, it's that weird squiggle you see seemingly hovering above the Mont. English use. Hey, I've never pretended that I travel to learn history, I've always been honest about traveling for food, beautiful Spanish women, and having funny stories to tell!
After the tapestry, I toured the inside of the cathedral - nothing special there. I had earlier seen a pair of shoes I liked, and returned to the store to try them on. Unfortunately, they weren't the right size for me, but the salesgirl was - a short, cute little mademoiselle that was positively Spanish senorita-esque! Sometimes I REALLY wish that I spoke French ...
I couldn't resist having another pastry before dinner, even though the past few days I have spoiled my appetite by doing so. Determined to regain my appetite before dinner, I took a long walk, well over an hour long. I made it to the outskirts of town, over to Place Charles de Gaulle, and the British Cemetery. Back in the centre of town, I once again had trouble on deciding where to have dinner, but eventually ended up at L'Assiete Normand - bastards!!!
Once again, the single diner is discriminated against. "Sorry, we have no room.", just before a few more walk-ins were seated. Yeah ... sure ...
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Mont St. Michel, from up close. I wandered around some more, looking and looking for a place to eat, but again, nothing jumped out at me. Tonight was the time for something simple, so I ate at Pizzeria le Florentine. Once again, I overate, a very common theme here in France. I waddled around town again, having another early night. I prefer my Spanish nights of under eating, and wandering the streets until late.
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