Act IV: Weekend At Normandie

Our first visit of the weekend was Mont St. Michel, an abbey along the English Channel.   Once Mont St. Michel was in view from the countryside, it seemed very distant and surreal, like a picture.

Mont St. Michel: France

Within the walls of St. Michel there are many restaurants and shops.  Inside the walls were magnificent rooms and chapels.  In the main chapel there was a sermon going on, a few monks praying and singing hymns.  Their voices echoed along the stone walls and I was mesmerized.  Mont St. Michel was a very great location to go on this trip.  

After St. Michel we went to the walled city of St. Malo.  Where we took a tour along the wall and could see out into the ocean.  After the tour we unpacked at a hostel near the beach.  

ESA Students Enjoying The Beach: St Malo, France

Needless to say, everyone is having a great time on this trip!

The next day we headed to Normandie.  

 Omaha Beach: Normandie, France

The Omaha landing is a historical beach.  Stepping into the sand and looking out into the ocean, I imagined the American soldiers rushing onto this beach and giving their lives for the future.  This was a very odd feeling.

Caen Cemetery: Normandie, France

Walking back up the beach I took a walk around the Caen Cemetery where all of the American soldiers lay.  It was very emotional to see the amount of marble crosses that were there.  They seemed endless.  Even though I had no family members in the war, it was still great to see the amount of people that sacrificed their lives for us.  

Locally Produced camembert cheese and butter

On the way back to Angers the next day, we visited a local cheese producer Ferme Du Champ Secret, where we took a tour of the farm and had local camembert cheese.

After the cheese producer we went to Ferme Des Grimaux which is a local cider producer.  We took a tour of their operation and even had a tasting session.  Where we tried their apple juice, hard apple cider and even their pear calvados, which is a fortified cider.

 200 Year Old Pear Tree.  Produces 2 Tons Of Pears A Year

Cider Tanks

The weekend was eventful and it was great to be back at my home in Angers for much need rest.  

This past week of classes has also been very eventful, just today a group of us learned how to make a traditional french bread.  I even got to take some home to share with my host family.  The weekend ahead will be very relaxed.  On saturday there is a music festival in Angers that I plan to go to and enjoy.