Mont Saint Michel (Jean-Christophe Dichant)
With four feet of snow piling up around my New England home, it’s no wonder I’m dreaming of Paris. This happens a lot. New England snowstorms are perfect for daydreams about somewhere else. Anywhere else, really.
France just so happened to be my last trip, so I keep drifting back to a little rendezvous just two hours north of Paris. We were three ladies in a rental car, armed with iPod, rain boots and a destination: a little-known spot called Mont Saint Michel. I knew virtually nothing about the cultural significance of this big pile of granite on the ocean. I just wanted one night in the country, in the dark, away from the dazzling Paris lights. (Sometimes we need a break from all the dazzle; it makes us miss it and eventually appreciate it more upon our return.)
The view from the top of Mont Saint Michel (Maggie Battista)
Two hours later, glowing from a cidre and mille feuille tasting (though both didn’t occur in the same place because that would just be too dreamy), a chance encounter with the sweetest apple orchard puppy, and barrels of rain falling around us, we came upon this rock with its abbey and elegant spire in the far-off landscape. My mouth went permanently agape and I just snap, snap, snapped photos.
Mont Saint Michel in the distance (Maggie Battista)
Now, I realize Mont Saint Michel is a huge tourist destination, like a French Disneyland if there weren’t already a French Disneyland. But actually seeing the abbey in person — from the first glimpse miles away, to the towering view from its base to the view of what feels like all of France and England from the very top — is fairly amazing and I’m so glad I saw it first-hand.
So now, as that snow keeps on falling outside, I thought it’d be fun to revisit my photos, all fantasy-like, and a few from some others across the Web. I hope you enjoy them too!
The garden at the top of Mont Saint Michel (Maggie Battista)
Our B&B in Normandy looks like a small Mont Saint Michel (Maggie Battista)
Mont Saint Michel in the distance, across a sheep field (Rudy Denoyette)
Related Links:
- Ice-Skating dance party this Friday at the Patinoire Pailleron
- Paris Food and Wine events February 3-10 (Paris by Mouth)
- Just how cold is it in Paris? (Carams)
Written by Maggie Battista for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris – and remember, we’re still offering up to 30% off our luxury properties in Paris this February.
WRITTEN BY
Maggie Battista
Passionate about fine dining and old-fashioned hospitality, Maggie is focused on finding hidden, authentic food gems and is absolutely in love with the creamy, salty butter sold all over Paris. She also runs an online magazine and market called Eat Boutique, where she discovers the best small batch foods by boutique food makers. Maggie’s based in Boston, with frequent trips to Paris, Brooklyn, Maine, and northern California.
Ginnie, it is absolutely breathtaking! You will certainly enjoy.
These pictures are so beautiful. i cant wait to go there!!!!! Au revoir!!1
Hello all!
This is the mini-castle we stayed in while in Normandy. It’s really a true bed & breakfast with a sweet labrador retriever.
Manoir in Founcroup
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR3488.htm
Thanks for the sweet comments.
Maggie
This is beautiful. I too did a day trip to Mont Saint Michel in my last Paris visit. It truly is a magical place! And you’ve captured it wonderfully! You have earned a new loyal reader. 🙂
My mother told me about Mont Saint Michel when I was little and it became a magical place in my mind. A few years ago, I finally got a chance to visit in person. It does have it’s touristy aspect, but once you go inside the abbey, it becomes so much more. Exploring all of the rooms and seeing how the daylight pours in from the windows…it completely lived up to my expectations.
Thanks for the lovely reminder today!
Such sweet comments. Thanks Susan, Amy and all of you. It was a wonderful day of respite away from the big city. But I was so happy to get back to Paris too. Aren’t we always?! 🙂 -Maggie
wow. Wonderful images. Thank you. I’m putting this on my bucket list. Next Trip to France.
It looks absolutely magical, like it’s rising from the mist and may disappear at any moment. The perfect little break from the Parisian scene.
Ahh, ladies, thank you! I visited in October. It was chilly and damp and there were definitely tourists (hell, I was there!) but I hear it’s far worse in the summer. Despite all the cold, there swarms of people heading out onto the flatlands barefoot – it was amazing to see them. It’s so worth a visit, just once, just for the breathtaking approach to the rock. Thanks for reading! -Maggie
Gorgeous. I still have not been there…it is on my list!
I first visited about 20 years ago (in my backpacking days) and was able to wander around without any crowds. Hauntingly beautiful.
ciao Lisa (Renovating Italy)
Definitely better to go in winter! I went in mid-July and the place was swarming with tourists–impossible to get as serene of pictures as you did! Beautiful.
Ohhh! That b&b is adorable! Would you mind passing on the name of it? Merci!
These pictures are like a dream! Simply gorgeous.
Oh….you captivated me with these incredible images!! Well done.