France - Rennes, Saint-Malo, Mont Saint-Michel, Paris
Longest solo trip as of yet, Rennes, Saint Malo, Mont Saint-Michel and Paris. The original plan was to travel to Montreal and Quebec in Canada, but I found a round trip flight to Paris for four hundred and thirty dollars – could not pass that up to spend more time in France.
My first stop was the little town of Rennes, I thought this would be a good spot as the train from the airport was easy and I could spend my jet lag here. The town is small and very cute. There is not too much to do so I wandered around and explored the architecture of the timbered homes, saw the cathedral, old town, opera house, spent some time in the park and acclimated to the time. Rennes was just what I needed.
Off to Saint-Malo, which is a walled port city on the English Channel, I had seen pictures and could not wait to visit. It was pouring when I arrived and the temperature had dropped significantly. The apartment owner met me at the train station and took me to the apartment. It far exceeded the pictures and is one of my favorite apartments I’ve stayed in. The town is lovely, every street is lined with cafes, shops and restaurants, every street is cute. After buying an umbrella and boots, I was good to go. I walked the wall surrounding the city, it was magnificent. Took a ferry to a little town of Dinard, walked around, popped into some shops and had an amazing omelet. I decided one day to get my hair cut, I took my google translate into a coiffeur and she cut it off. She was hesitant as neither of us spoke the others language, it turned out wonderful.
Found a bus to Mont Saint-Michel, which I was not planning to do. It’s great when you change your mind or do unexpected things and your expectations are exceeded. Mont Saint-Michel was just that, far exceeded my expectations. It was a torrential downpour on the way in and I was soaking wet, I found the closest café and stopped in for a cappuccino. The town is adorable. Narrow cobblestone street lined with shops and cafes that lead you up to the Abbey at the top where the views are so picturesque nothing looks real. It was the perfect way to spend the day.
After my visit in the Brittany Region it was time to see my sweet Paris. I splurged and got an apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower from my balcony, I felt like Carrie in Sex and the City. It was unbelievable. Every evening, I had dinner or desert on the balcony with the Eiffel Tower and watched the light show. Being my third visit I just roamed around, found an amazing veggie burger on Rue Cler, got a manicure, took a walk along the Siene, saw Notre Dame and the Louvre, had the infamous hot chocolate at Angelina, had a picnic with Tour de Eiffel, took a bus tour as research for my parents trip to Paris, went to Laudree for tea and a pastry, strolled through Jardins Tuillieries, meandered through Place de la Concorde, ate croissants, macaroons, tarte aux fraises, banquettes and cheese. It was splendid.
I’m not sure what it is about France, but I am obsessed. A Francophile. I am going back for my fortieth in twenty eighteen and am so excited to see her again.
