St. Malo & Mont St. Michel, France
The walled city of St Malo, Brittany, was our overnight berth but early this morning we left there and headed for the Mont St. Michel in nearby Normandy. Approaching this 8th century monastery along a narrow, artificial causeway is probably one of the most striking images of the whole voyage. With its towering spire piercing the warm blue skies it has served as a beacon to medieval pilgrims and modern tourists alike. The circular mound of rock upon which the monastic buildings, and subsequent dwellings, have been built over the past 1,500 years rises out of the surrounding flat, featureless landscape as if deliberately placed there in order to emphasise its importance.
At first its narrow streets, towered over by the very solid looking granite buildings obscure the magnificent views to be had at the top. However a tiring climb steadily uphill and up many steps is more than rewarded by the vistas to be enjoyed from the West Terrace. From there our local Breton guides took us through the labyrinth of chapels, public rooms large and small as well as the many utilitarian rooms and areas the original Benedictine monks knew as home. A first visit there usually leaves people thinking it cannot be real, that much of what we are seeing is so beautiful and intricate that it must have been designed that way for the benefit of the tourists. But not so. Mont St Michel has developed organically and naturally to become one of the most famous iconic images of western Europe. And we have been there!
The afternoon was spent at leisure back in St Malo enjoying the charm of the modern city within the massive walls that surround it on all four sides. Our local guides pointed out the areas that had been substantially damaged in 1944 but which have subsequently been rebuilt as far as possible to the original designs. This weekend was a holiday in Brittany so the town and its small but perfect beaches were crowded with families enjoying the warm sun and kind weather.
But our voyage had to come to an end. Captain Oliver and Expedition Leader Lisa said their farewell words and a very enjoyable Farewell Dinner was taken as National Geographic Endeavour sailed smoothly and quietly across the unusually sedate English Channel.
The walled city of St Malo, Brittany, was our overnight berth but early this morning we left there and headed for the Mont St. Michel in nearby Normandy. Approaching this 8th century monastery along a narrow, artificial causeway is probably one of the most striking images of the whole voyage. With its towering spire piercing the warm blue skies it has served as a beacon to medieval pilgrims and modern tourists alike. The circular mound of rock upon which the monastic buildings, and subsequent dwellings, have been built over the past 1,500 years rises out of the surrounding flat, featureless landscape as if deliberately placed there in order to emphasise its importance.
At first its narrow streets, towered over by the very solid looking granite buildings obscure the magnificent views to be had at the top. However a tiring climb steadily uphill and up many steps is more than rewarded by the vistas to be enjoyed from the West Terrace. From there our local Breton guides took us through the labyrinth of chapels, public rooms large and small as well as the many utilitarian rooms and areas the original Benedictine monks knew as home. A first visit there usually leaves people thinking it cannot be real, that much of what we are seeing is so beautiful and intricate that it must have been designed that way for the benefit of the tourists. But not so. Mont St Michel has developed organically and naturally to become one of the most famous iconic images of western Europe. And we have been there!
The afternoon was spent at leisure back in St Malo enjoying the charm of the modern city within the massive walls that surround it on all four sides. Our local guides pointed out the areas that had been substantially damaged in 1944 but which have subsequently been rebuilt as far as possible to the original designs. This weekend was a holiday in Brittany so the town and its small but perfect beaches were crowded with families enjoying the warm sun and kind weather.
But our voyage had to come to an end. Captain Oliver and Expedition Leader Lisa said their farewell words and a very enjoyable Farewell Dinner was taken as National Geographic Endeavour sailed smoothly and quietly across the unusually sedate English Channel.
