Day Nine: Mont Saint Michel and Caen, France

Abbey Mont Saint Michel

Cathedral of Saine Etienne

In the morning I drove down to Mont Saint Michel, first stopping in Avranches to see the abbey from a distance and then driving to the foot of the abbey for a closer look.  The morning was cold and rainy, but the abbey was still a sight to see rising out of the marshland.  The tide was low so you could drive to the foot of the abbey.  The crowds of people rushing to see the abbey were impressive. 

Tomb of William the Conqueror

Next I turned back north and went to Caen to see more of the city’s medieval sites.  First on the agenda was the Cathedral of Saint Etienne, built by William the Conqueror, who is buried there.  Adjacent to the cathedral is the Abbey des Hommes, which doubles today as the city hall of Caen.  It was Saturday, so there were many couples dressed in their finest, getting married--an interesting juxtaposition of old and new.  Then it was onto the castle built by William, the ruins of which serve as the home to Caen’s art museum. 

On the way back to Bayeux, I visited the Chateau Fontaine-Henry, which is a steeply roofed chateau that dates back to the late medieval period.  The house has been added onto many times, but it has remained in private hands down to this day.  Although the chateau is open to the public as a museum it is also still a private home.  It was interesting the see the family photographs amidst the treasured works of art and furniture in this lovely space.   The owners also had beautiful and friendly black labs.