Today was one of those magical, unforgettable travel days—the kind that leaves your legs sore, your camera full, and your heart just a little more in love with the world.
We started the day by saying goodbye to our beautiful five-star hotel in Deauville—Hotel Barrière Le Royal—gracious and elegant, right in the heart of what’s often called the Parisian Riviera. Then it was off to one of France’s most iconic landmarks: Mont Saint-Michel.
There’s something truly breathtaking about that first glimpse of the Mont from the coach. The spires of the abbey rising above the surrounding tidal flats almost don’t look real—they seem to float above the landscape. It’s no wonder this place has drawn pilgrims and dreamers for centuries.
Once we arrived at our hotel just outside the island, a few of us decided to walk into the village below the abbey for lunch rather than wait for the shuttle. It was such a nice day, and the walk let us soak in the view. We ended up at Restaurant St. Pierre (the name felt lucky—I have a friend with the same last name!). I had a warm bowl of French onion soup, a fresh green salad, and of course, some absolutely delicious French bread. We were also given a complimentary carafe d’eau, which is always a welcome touch.
After lunch, we met our local guide, Florence, and began the climb up to the abbey. And let me tell you: Mont Saint-Michel is not shy about its stairs. There are roughly 350 of them on the way up through the village and the abbey itself—and I think I climbed every one of them, twice. By the time I reached the top, I honestly didn’t know if I could keep going. But I’m so glad I did. The views from up there are simply magnificent, and the architecture of the abbey—steeped in centuries of history—is absolutely worth the effort.
After the tour, I wandered the charming little shops tucked along the cobblestone streets. I didn’t buy anything, but I loved browsing. The weather was perfect—clear blue skies, light breezes, and temperatures in the low 70s—so I decided to walk back to the hotel instead of taking the shuttle. By the time I arrived, my Apple Watch told me I had logged nearly 5.5 miles, and my legs could definitely feel every bit of it.
Dinner tonight was included with our Globus tour, and while I’ve had many wonderful meals on this trip… this wasn’t one of them. We were served carrot soup to start, which was unfortunately quite bland. For the main course, it was a ham steak over mashed potatoes with brown gravy—a combination I’ve never had before. Apparently, it’s a regional thing, because one of my new friends accidentally ordered something similar yesterday. It wasn’t exactly what I expected from a French dinner, but at least the bread was delicious (as always!).
But the real magic came after dinner.
Several of us decided to walk back toward the Mont one more time—and I’m so glad I joined my new friends that I’ve made on this tour. We caught the sunset, and it was absolutely spectacular. As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the abbey was bathed in golden light. The sky turned shades of pink and orange, and the island looked like something out of a dream. The crowds had gone, the air was calm, and everything felt still and peaceful.
Watching the sunset at Mont Saint-Michel is something I never imagined I’d experience—and I’ll never forget it.
Cleared For Take-Off! 