We took a quick trip to Normandy with our house guests this weekend. My sister offered to take my kids so we could see more (Thanks Gabby!) Their house in Normandy is the most charming place and their little blue car is unbelievably adorable. I love getting away from Paris and going to their home, it’s like heaven. After we dropped the kids off we went to Mont St. Michel, which is a giant abbey on top of an almost freestanding island. We stayed the night there which is pretty much a ghost town after dark. It was so cool to be there by ourselves and explore it. We even got up early in our pajamas to watch the sunrise. After that we went to see some of the WWII beaches and memorials. It was so sad and sobering. War is so awful. We stayed the last night at my sister’s house and got to hang out with my wonderful nieces and nephews before heading back to Paris. IT was fun to getaway with out kids even if it was for just a day or two. Have you ever been to Normandy?
Laurène
March 20, 2012
Bonjour:)
I live in Paris too and I looove going to Normandy! It’s so easy to go there and get some fresh air (and sea food;), it feels good!
Glad you had fun!
The slow pace
March 20, 2012
Oh! That’s a nice getaway! Normandy is great! Beautiful!
lore
March 20, 2012
We went to Lenault over a week ago and it was beautiful. We stayed at Eco gites lenault (http://www.facebook.com/Ecogiteslenault). a really enchanting place and our soon enjoyed sooo much being there, that we couldn’t go anywhere else to explore a bit further.
I wanted to go to the beaches, are they really beautiful? We are planing to go back again in May….
Thanks for sharing your pictures. This is a little something from our trip to share with you :
http://youtu.be/Dmv_RkARGtc
the delicate place
March 20, 2012
great shots! there is something so incredibly sobering bout the quiet and stillness when you visit a memorial. the two that stick with me the most are when i was walking on the USS arizona in hawaii & in the chianti region in italy a WWII memorial that had the same small white crosses as your picture. such loss & heartache in those places 🙁
Joan
March 20, 2012
Jordan, I’m planning a trip to Normandy with my parents and I’m curious where you stayed on Mont St. Michel. I have them booked at La Vielle Auberge, but I’m concerned about the steps leading up to it, as my dad’s a little unsteady on his feet. I stayed at a different place with my nephew a couple years ago, but it was also riddled with stairs. Where did you stay and what do you recommend? Thanks! 🙂
Sweet Harvest Moon
March 20, 2012
It’s so beautiful out there!
Oh, and you should get that house you showed us on Instagram 😉
Staci @ My Friend Staci
March 20, 2012
I visited Omaha beach in 2005 on an appropriately rainy and dreary day. Very sobering.
Would have loved to see Mont-St-Michel!
A Lifestyle Craving
March 20, 2012
I lived with a host family in Normandy just after graduating high school. What an opportunity! We went sightseeing the entire time & it included all of the beautiful spots you visited. Looking forward to returning with my husband & children. We will be living in southern France for a month & 1/2 or so. It can’t come soon enough! P.S. – I met you at ALT in Jan. 🙂
Marissa Waddell | ROOST
March 20, 2012
I went to Normandy last Thanksgiving and adored it! I could drive around from village to village all day. And the beaches…. they are so haunting, special, and beautiful.
hannah
March 20, 2012
normandy is lovely. i think it should be required for all americans to make a pilgrimage to the american cemetery—sobering, but a very well-done and tasteful museum and memorial.
hopefully you’ll make it to bretagne before you leave (we drove down there from normandy on the same weekend)… st.-malo and rennes are such great spots to visit.
Briana
March 20, 2012
Wow, that place looks and sound amazing. Oh and I love that car, how cute!
kellychristine
March 20, 2012
nope, i’ve never been but now you’re making me really want to go!! thanks for sharing. beautiful photos! xo
adriahope
March 20, 2012
Wow, that lighting in the abbey made for a gorgeous shot! Looks like you had a lovely weekend. 🙂
Erin | Holtwood Hipster
March 20, 2012
I so admire you and your family for having the courage to “leap” into this great adventure. What wonderful things you’ve all seen, memories you’ve made and experiences that you’ll carry with you wherever and whenever you finally land. You’ve shown us all that “home” is really wherever you make it as long as you have those who mean the most to you at your side. Really seems like your “living” a life well lived- bravo.
sarah-mai
March 20, 2012
We did this same trip a few years ago, so fun! The best part was hearing the different musicians playing in random rooms in the abbey. The acoustics are wonderful, it’s such a great experience!
Kelly
March 20, 2012
Great shots. would love to visit.
natalie
March 20, 2012
I went to Normandy when I was a teenager and too moody to truly appreciate it… I’ve regretted it since. your photos are lovely to see, as they bring back a few memories for me!
Tracy
March 20, 2012
Mont St. Michel looks enchanting. We were in France for our honeymoon and contemplated going to Normandy, but we wound up going to Cassis and Marseille instead. Oh, we will just have to take another trip to France again, won’t we?
Maria E
March 20, 2012
I have never been to Normandy, but my son is currently studying in Caen for the semester. I happened upon your blog in addition to your sister’s also and have been enjoying reading about your lives in France and places you have visited. He has visited some of the same places and I am able to give him suggestions for new places to visit by reading your blogs.
Thanks
Chelsea C.
March 20, 2012
Amazing! My college choir took a trip to Normandy and Mont St. Michel — we sang in the cathedral there, and it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. I remember particularly loving the courtyards. So lovely and peaceful. Thanks for sharing photos!
Amanda
March 20, 2012
This is my dream trip.
denise
March 21, 2012
I loooove it there!
Mont St. Michel is just breathtaking! And eating the mouton pre-salé is just a must!
http://doudouandheels.blogspot.fr/
Julie-White Tapestry
March 21, 2012
I’ve never been but I can imagine it would be pretty emotional. Such a scary time in History. Their home looks really lovely, really fairytale-ish.
teresa
March 21, 2012
Beautiful photos- I love the character in old French homes.
This girl loves to talk
March 21, 2012
you know when your sister bought that car the first thought that came to me was you! you and your comments about buying a little car in europe and taking it home 😉 sisters…..
lovely that you got time to yourselves…. with four kids I’m dreaming of that!
Caitlin
March 21, 2012
I went to Normandy when I was 13 and let’s just say that I did not appreciate it to the fullest…I need to go back to Mont St Michel! And maybe I will enjoy the 4 hour dinner next time 🙂 It looks beautiful.
Rosa
March 21, 2012
Your photos are fabulous. I loved visiting Mt. St. Michel. What a spot.
delhionlineflorists
March 22, 2012
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Mandy
March 22, 2012
Such beautiful photos. I’ve never thought of Norway as a dream trip but I am sold!
Thank you for brightening my morning 🙂
Mandy @ Little Maison
Mandy
March 22, 2012
OOPS I meant to type Normandy. Sorry – no coffee yet this morning!!!!
Rebeccar
March 23, 2012
Oh these are wonderful shots !
I STILL haven’t been to the Mont St Michel, I really want to !!
This year is the year… ( I got day trip fever anyway 🙂