Bear is in Mont Saint Michel

You guessed right. Bear and I escaped on Sunday to Mont Saint Michel for an overnight break.

We've been wanting to go all winter. After reading David Lebovitz' omelette experience that was it. We booked ASAP and took the train from gare Montparnasse to Dol-de-Bretagne, a tiny town 30 minutes bus ride away. The driver kept pointing out MSM as soon as it appeared on the horizon. Everyone was shooting and craining their necks for a look. We were in the front row so natch we had ringside views.

This is low season so the throngs were managable and we got a reasonably price at La Terrasse de la Mere Poulard.

La Mere Poulard is the first thing you see coming through the archway on Grande Rue.

I was starving and headed to lunch immediately. A big kitchen is open for all to come and gawp. You don't have to eat there but I was glad I did.

These guys are beating eggs up a storm, rat-a-tat-tat. They keep a distinct rhythm going while staying completely straight-faced.

Egg pans heat up in the fire. Gobs of butter are thrown in and poured from one pan to the next.

Et voila! If this is a 3-egg omelette then they are using ostrich eggs in my opinion. I've never tasted anything like it except maybe a fluffy soufflé. The plain 'traditional' omelette and mine with smoked salmon and roasted potatoes on the side are the same price - 34€

Post-lunch I was in no shape to climb up all those stone steps to the Abbey. I made it as far as the small church and then turned back.

No matter where you go views are spectacular on the island of Mont Saint Michel.

Its a small climb up to the ramparts surrounding the town and worth it.

Just look up and gasp.

Plenty of Normandy snacks to buy like caramels

And those divine butter cookies. la Mere Poulard has a nice shop in Paris at 19, boulevard d'Opera. I checked it out before going looking for I don't know exactly what, but I noticed prices were lower than in their MSM shop! More selection too. Qui sait?

Bear was getting hungry around evening so we stopped in a simple brasserie called Les Terrasses(?) along the ramparts. The mussels, called Bouchot, are the same you get in Paris from the bay around the Abbey. I thought they tasted much better onsite. 13€ for this filling marmite.

MSM is like Venice. Part of the fun is experiencing the medieval town once day-trippers go home.

I tried to capture a night shot but my iPad wasn't up to it. Simply spectacular to see.

Back in my room time to paint watercolors.

Mont Saint Michel is so iconic, you get carried away and feel you can paint it any color you like and I did, even dreamy purples. If you enjoyed this post and want to support it, buy Paris letters, maps and Mont Saint Michel watercolors (there are 8 watercolors up on Etsy) or forward to a friend. Cheers!