Off the Clock
Mont Saint-Michel
On Saturday, March 21, I visited Mont Saint-Michel at around 16:00.
I started by exploring the lower part of the island, where there were many small shops. From there, I gradually made my way upwards through the narrow streets. As a student, I was able to enter the abbey for free, which gave me a good opportunity to fully explore the site.
I spent time walking through the entire structure and observing the architecture. Since I am interested in medieval history, I found the experience especially enjoyable. In total, I spent around three hours exploring the area.
After that, I went to a restaurant that had just opened and decided to try a traditional French dish. While eating, I was able to see the tide rising around Mont Saint-Michel, which made the experience even more unique.
After dinner, I stayed for a while on the walls to watch the sunset before heading down again. Before leaving, I bought some souvenirs.
I left Mont Saint-Michel at around 20:15 to avoid getting stuck due to the rising water. On the way back, I was also able to see the stars clearly because of the low level of light in the area. This visit was one of the highlights of my time in France and gave me a completely different experience compared to my daily work routine. Overall, this was easily one of the best experiences I’ve had during my free time.
Inside the Abbey
While visiting Mont Saint-Michel, I spent time exploring the inside of the abbey. I walked through different rooms and areas, reading the historical texts that were displayed throughout the building.
I didn’t rush through it, but instead took my time to look around and understand what I was seeing. The interior felt very different from modern buildings, which made the experience more interesting.
I also spent time just enjoying the views from different parts of the island. Seeing the surroundings from higher up gave a better perspective of the whole area.
One of the best moments was watching the tide rise while I was there, and later seeing the sunset. Those small moments made the visit feel more memorable.
Exploring Falaise and Caen
On Sunday, March 29, I visited my first castle in France, the Château de Falaise. I arrived there at around 10:00.
My first impression was a bit mixed. The castle felt quite modernized and almost like a museum, which was slightly disappointing since I was expecting something more original and historical. The entrance cost around 6€, although I didn’t pay too much attention to the exact price.
Despite that, I spent about 2.5 hours inside exploring the castle. I did learn quite a lot about William the Conqueror and his history, which actually made the visit more interesting.
Moving to Caen
After leaving the castle, I sat on the nearby stone walls and ate a lunch sandwich that I had prepared earlier.
Because I became more interested in the history of William the Conqueror, I decided to continue exploring related sites in Caen.
First, I visited Abbaye aux Dames, where his wife is buried. I spent quite a long time inside, just walking around and taking in the atmosphere.
After that, I walked to William the Conqueror’s tomb, which was not too far away. On the way, I noticed several older French buildings that had survived World War II, which I found interesting.
Churches, Coffee, and More Exploring
The tomb itself was much larger and more detailed than I expected, with a lot of historical information and artwork inside. I took my time reading and exploring the space.
While walking around the city, I also came across another impressive church. In general, I found the old French architecture really interesting, although it felt a bit strange that modern buildings were built right next to them.
At one point, I stopped at a café, had a French pastry, and drank coffee. It was a nice break during the day.
Château de Caen and the Coast
Later, I visited Château de Caen, which was very different from Falaise. It had large ruins and a wide open area, which made it feel more authentic.
After spending some time there, I left Caen and headed towards the nearby coast. I explored areas around the old harbor and saw more historical structures along the way.
