tsgirl
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 29, 1999
- Messages
- 238
Day 3 began early, as I mentioned. Our drive to Mont Saint Michel included our second Disney movie with a french theme- still not Ratatouille (any guesses?). Upon our arrival at Mont Saint Michel, we were greeted by an incredible local guide named Helen. She led us , again past the crowds, throughout the Abbey. She had fascinating stories.
After our tour, we had lunch at the well known and crowded La Mere Poulard Restaurant . This restaurant is famous for fluffy omelets. I was disappointed with them. They are prepared with egg foam, which I wasn't a fan of. Danielle took at turn whipping the eggs in their traditional way. It was harder than it looked!
I understand why ABD included a lunch here because it is a popular place. The omelets themselves normally cost 25 Euros. Our lunch included a cheese starter, which was basically a Camembert egg-roll, which was very tasty. The omelets themselves came with a choice of sides: smoked ham, smoked salmon, or vegetables. My recommendation would be to share an omelet, just to try it, and request an alternate lunch. I didn't find anyone who really loved the preparation of the omelet. It tastes like an eggy crepe. Dessert, however, was excellent. It was a selection of apple treats, including apple sorbet, a mini tarte tatin, and more. The Normandy region is famous for apples. As a professional chef, food is probably more important to me than it is to others, so I wish that the omelets had been better. The service in this restaurant was also less than perfect. For some reason, they weren't prepared for us when we arrived, which delayed everything else schedule wise.
When we left Mont Saint Michel, we drove to an apple orchard, to view how cider and Calvados is made. The owner, who was our tour guide, was charming and very proud of his work. Everything he does is done organically, with no pestocides. He has been operating this way long before it was fashionable. We were treated to a home made rice pudding, bread and apple jam, fresh apple juice, cider, Calvodos, and Pommeau (a mixture of Calvodos and cider). After that, we boarded the bus to head back to our hotel for dinner on our own. For those of you who have never experienced an ABD tour, water and snacks are always provided on the bus, so there is no need to bring your own water bottles. Snacks offered included apple sauce and granola bars. Each day, there are new snacks. We have had Madeleine cookies, chips, and more.
Day 4 began early again. We are all pretty tired, but Day 4 has been incredible and emotionally moving. On the way to Omaha Beach, ABD chose to show a documentary about D-Day, so that people would understand the history behind what we were about to see. We made a stop at the conclusion of the video at The Bayeaux Tapestry, which is a an huge embroidered cloth which recounts the events leading up to the Norman invasion of England. We each received a personal audio guide which described the tapestry along the way. After that, we boarded the bus for Omaha Beach. At Omaha Beach, we were greeted once again by our local guide, Helen. Normally, her son does this day of the tour, but he was unavailable. I'm sure he is a skilled guide as well, but I felt lucky to be able to see the sights of the day through Helen's eyes. She is a deeply sensitive woman, and even began crying at Omaha Beach. Aside from its history, Omaha Beach is stunning.
After this visit, we had a short drive to The American Cemetery. Helen met us there. She used to be a regular guide at the cemetery, so she knows many personal stories of those buried there. She brought life to those memorials in such a meaningful way. My children were moved to tears as easily as the adults were. Our tour of the cemetery began with a service led by the staff there. It was a special experience that I truly feel thankful to have been a part of.
We made a short stop for lunch at Arromanches. If you choose to do a sit down lunch, keep in mind there is no time for anything else. We had crepes in a wonderful little place. Our last stop of the day was 2-3 hours later: a quick visit to the Le Mans Automobile Museum. What a splendid selection of race cars.
It was a great way to break up the long drive to the Chateau hotel: Domaine de la Tortinere. Upon arrival, we were shown to our spectacular rooms in the main house,where a welcome aperitif awaited each guest in their rooms. We then had a light buffet dinner. Tomorrow, we get to sleep a little later...yay!
After our tour, we had lunch at the well known and crowded La Mere Poulard Restaurant . This restaurant is famous for fluffy omelets. I was disappointed with them. They are prepared with egg foam, which I wasn't a fan of. Danielle took at turn whipping the eggs in their traditional way. It was harder than it looked!
I understand why ABD included a lunch here because it is a popular place. The omelets themselves normally cost 25 Euros. Our lunch included a cheese starter, which was basically a Camembert egg-roll, which was very tasty. The omelets themselves came with a choice of sides: smoked ham, smoked salmon, or vegetables. My recommendation would be to share an omelet, just to try it, and request an alternate lunch. I didn't find anyone who really loved the preparation of the omelet. It tastes like an eggy crepe. Dessert, however, was excellent. It was a selection of apple treats, including apple sorbet, a mini tarte tatin, and more. The Normandy region is famous for apples. As a professional chef, food is probably more important to me than it is to others, so I wish that the omelets had been better. The service in this restaurant was also less than perfect. For some reason, they weren't prepared for us when we arrived, which delayed everything else schedule wise.
When we left Mont Saint Michel, we drove to an apple orchard, to view how cider and Calvados is made. The owner, who was our tour guide, was charming and very proud of his work. Everything he does is done organically, with no pestocides. He has been operating this way long before it was fashionable. We were treated to a home made rice pudding, bread and apple jam, fresh apple juice, cider, Calvodos, and Pommeau (a mixture of Calvodos and cider). After that, we boarded the bus to head back to our hotel for dinner on our own. For those of you who have never experienced an ABD tour, water and snacks are always provided on the bus, so there is no need to bring your own water bottles. Snacks offered included apple sauce and granola bars. Each day, there are new snacks. We have had Madeleine cookies, chips, and more.
Day 4 began early again. We are all pretty tired, but Day 4 has been incredible and emotionally moving. On the way to Omaha Beach, ABD chose to show a documentary about D-Day, so that people would understand the history behind what we were about to see. We made a stop at the conclusion of the video at The Bayeaux Tapestry, which is a an huge embroidered cloth which recounts the events leading up to the Norman invasion of England. We each received a personal audio guide which described the tapestry along the way. After that, we boarded the bus for Omaha Beach. At Omaha Beach, we were greeted once again by our local guide, Helen. Normally, her son does this day of the tour, but he was unavailable. I'm sure he is a skilled guide as well, but I felt lucky to be able to see the sights of the day through Helen's eyes. She is a deeply sensitive woman, and even began crying at Omaha Beach. Aside from its history, Omaha Beach is stunning.
After this visit, we had a short drive to The American Cemetery. Helen met us there. She used to be a regular guide at the cemetery, so she knows many personal stories of those buried there. She brought life to those memorials in such a meaningful way. My children were moved to tears as easily as the adults were. Our tour of the cemetery began with a service led by the staff there. It was a special experience that I truly feel thankful to have been a part of.
We made a short stop for lunch at Arromanches. If you choose to do a sit down lunch, keep in mind there is no time for anything else. We had crepes in a wonderful little place. Our last stop of the day was 2-3 hours later: a quick visit to the Le Mans Automobile Museum. What a splendid selection of race cars.
It was a great way to break up the long drive to the Chateau hotel: Domaine de la Tortinere. Upon arrival, we were shown to our spectacular rooms in the main house,where a welcome aperitif awaited each guest in their rooms. We then had a light buffet dinner. Tomorrow, we get to sleep a little later...yay!
