My name is Marion Vermazen. I am a traveler, hiker, reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, YouTuber, Spanish and French language student, knitter, weaver and genealogist.
It was a beautiful sunny day today. Before leaving Château de la Ballue this morning we took another walk through the gardens but this time we used their printed guide to the gardens and saw things we had completely missed on our first walk. We also got to enjoy everything in the sun light.
We completely missed these topiary chickens on our first walk through the gardens. This area is called the chicken coop.This area is called the regular garden.
About 11 we left the chateau and drove north to the coast of Normandy. Tonight we staying at Hotel du Casino, overlooking Omaha beach, one of the beaches the Americans landed on on D-day.
Omaha Beach and the Bedford Boys monument this picture was taken near low tideThe Bedford Boys monument and the National Guard monument. This picture was taken from our hotel room at close to high tide. The beach is essentially gone. The D-day invasion was done at low tide to make hazards visible. But that also meant the soldiers had to cover a lot of open beach to get to the shore.
Mid afternoon we had a very nice lunch in the hotel bar.
Lunch, Croque Normandie. Duke had seafood soup.
Later we went to Pointe du Hoc. U.S. Rangers scaled the cliffs here to disable the heavily fortified gun battery.
Chateau de La Ballue where we are staying is a beautiful, wonderful chateau originally built in the 17th century. We are not far from Mont Saint Michel so our goal this morning was to get a relatively early start so that we would get to Mont Saint Michel before the crowds.
We did pretty well. We were there just after nine and took the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the base of the island. Our timing was perfect because a free English tour started just after we got to the abbey.
Mont Saint Michel from the parking lotAfter we got off the shuttle bus we had a much better view.Inside the abbeyIn the cloisterAfter our visit to the abbey we walked back to the car park
On our way back to Chateau de la Bellue we stopped for coffee. Then we went back to the chateau, rested a bit and explored the gardens.
Chateau de la BellueThe gardens of Chateau Bellue
For dinner we went into Combourg which is about 16 kilometers away. We ate at L’Hypothèse. The wood paneled interior was cozy. They had a great grill menu and a long pizza menu. The whole meal was fantastic.
L’Hypothèse in CombourgInside the restaurantScallop gratin to startDuke’s mixed grillMy 7 hour roasted lambOur view on the way back to Chateau
Today we continued west to another wonderful château, Château de La Ballue in Bazouges-la-Pérouse, not far from Mont Saint Michel. Before we left Chateau de Vauloge this morning we had a great breakfast and then went for a walk.
Breakfast to candlelight at Château de Vauloge.The gardensA walk in the woods
There are two chapels at Château Vauloge. One was for the family. The other, out by the road, was for pilgrims going to Mont Saint Michel.
Inside the family chapelThe pilgrims’ chapel.The restaurant, Le Relais Gascon in Pontorson where we had dinner.This is my duck leg dinner at Le Relais Gascon. Desert to share
This morning in Versailles we went out for some breakfast then enjoyed walking through the town market on the way back to the hotel.
BreakfastVersailles market
When we got back to the hotel we packed up and checked out. Then we walked to the Avis rental car office and picked up our rental car. We left Versailles and headed west.
Versailles city hall as we left town
Tonight we are at Chateau Vauloge. It is stunningly beautiful spot and tonight we are the only ones staying here. Le Mans the town that has the famous race track is only about twenty miles from here. That’s where the nearest restaurants are but we are a bit worn out today and didn’t want to drive somewhere for dinner. So we went to the grocery store and then had a great picnic dinner in the chateau living room.
Dinner The view from the window of our room. Chateau Vauloge
Today was proof of how changeable spring weather can be. A few days ago in Paris the temperature was over 80. Today the high temperature was 57.
But, that’s good because the sun was shining and cool weather is ideal for exploring the gardens of Versailles. Before we started our walk we stopped for some breakfast.
Fresh OJ, coffee and a croissant!
Today is Monday, so the Palace of Versailles and the Estate of Trianon were closed. We were also told that the gardens would be closed but apparently that just meant the fountains weren’t running. We were able to walk all over the gardens. We circumnavigated the Grand Canal. It was wonderful. We walked for a total of eight miles today! Versailles is so big! I knew that Versailles was big from what I had read. But the scale of everything still blew me away.
Walking 8 miles was easy because it was flat, easy walking with lots of interesting things to see. The grand canal, laid out between 1668 and 1679 measures 60 metres wide, 1,700 metres east-west and 1,000 metres north-south! And there were very few people because it’s Monday.
The Latona Basin and the Grand Canal from the palace.
A very nice older woman (probably our age) talked to us a bit when we were standing by the Apollo Fountain. She told us that they had regilded the fountain for the Olympics and that some of the events were held here at Versailles. She was so nice. I apologized for my French being so bad and she said at least you make an effort. It made my day!
After we finished most of our walk we had coffee and enjoyed the setting.
The Apollo fountain Here we are at the end of the grand canal. You can just see the palace way in the background.Coffee at the end of our walk.
For dinner we went to a wonderful little bistro, La Tour. The ambiance was absolutely prefect and our steaks were so good!
La Tour where we ateOur steaks and friesThe restaurant was full.
Tomorrow we pick up another rental car and head west.
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