Rennes to Mont St Michel

Rennes is the capital of Brittany. It was established at the confluence of three small rivers and became a centre of trade in the Middle Ages. Today it has a population of in excess of 400,000 - and it appeared almost 'closed' - particularly on Sunday - after the frenzy of Paris. We have continued to walk our 10km per day - it's almost a target now - and we have wandered round and round Centre Ville admiring the old housing and cathedrals that feature prominently in this part of the city. While there is the very old (such as the third century entrance through the walled city) there is also the very new  - the Science Planetarium piqued our fancy; however, despite the brilliant audiovisuals there was a soporific feel that sent Clive to sleep. Several times!

Third Century entrance - with some modern touches

Eating out has become a bit of a game as we try to try different foods - not for us frogs and snails [and nor for many French it seems from an online blog] - and beers. We had a nice 'blonde' beer in Paris and thought we'd try one here. Only it turned out to be white beer - Eidleweiss - which tasted a bit like an alcoholic soft drink, Not to be repeated. We have enjoyed stopping off during the walking for a beer at the many little bars that dine Al Fresco - sitting amongst locals [or French at least!] - in the cobbled streets of the old town, 

The square outside the Hotel de Ville and L'Opera was a great place to sit and watch the French World go by. It was almost like camping - laying back in loungers in the summer sun.

Summer in Centre Ville, Rennes

The walking took us to an old church, St Melaine, on the fringes of Parc du Thabor; a huge park loasis in the old city and which provides green relief from the grey cobbled city, the coloured walls of centuries old housing and the stone facades of old municipal buildings and churches, [we attended High Mass at the Cathedrale de St Pierre]. 

In the gardens of Parc du Thabor

Perhaps the highlight of our stay in Rennes was the trip we made to Mont St Michel. Only 1hr and 10 mins from Rennes, the bus went from our door to the Mont and back. This is a really amazing sight - and would have been moreso had the tide been in. Old, old Basilica built into the rock of the Mont and easily defended, Nowadays [in fact from 1975] it is run by the Jerusalem order of priests and nuns from Paris - and again we attended a Mass - lunch time this time. We watched from the ramparts as people waded through tidal mud flats on nature trips to outlying islands, only accessible at low tide and preferably, to be safe, with a guide. Wouyld like to have seen more - but the heatwave has finished - and it rained - showers over the past three days to end the endless heat and blue skies. Perhaps the'll make another appearance.

Mont St Michel from the causeway - rain clouds gathering

And from Mont St Michel and Rennes in Bretagne, we are heading to wine country - Bordeaux! PS It's also a UNESCO World Heritage site.