Our morning excursion however, was east to Mont St. Michel, one of the famous pilgrimage sites of medieval Europe, on the border between Brittany and Normandy. For those with memories of the liberation of Europe at the end of World War II, the markers of General Patton's eastward route had special meaning.
At Mont St. Michel, the tide was in and the only access was by the causeway built in the 1970's. The site has a long history, beginning with an 8th Century monastery rebuilt after surviving a lengthy seige by English troops during the Hundred Years War. A long walk to the summit was rewarded with spectacular views from the cloister and garden.
We returned in the direction of St. Malo along the Breton coast, famous for its mussel and oyster production, and had a picnic en route.
In the afternoon, a walking tour on the ramparts was offered to see the old town of St. Malo, a town lovingly reconstructed after the destruction of World War II. There was plenty of free time for shopping, eating pastries and swimming on the beach. Some found time to visit the romantic tomb of Chateaubriand on its little island outpost.
