16054

France: Saint-Maurice chapel, Côte de Granit Rose, Crêpes, Pointe de Corsen and Saint-Corentin chapel

Our usual morning routine started with a morning walk to Saint-Maurice chapel, where Bronco and me discovered a nice sandy beach. After the breakfast our first destination was to see the Castel Meur house, trapped between 2 rocks and its surroundings. In Perros-Guirec, we tasted the local Crêpes and Cider and after the visit of the Westernmost point of continental France, we settled near the Saint-Corentin chapel.

Previous days of our road trip to Bayern - Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Netherlands, Belgium, Hauts-de-France, Normandie - Normandy, Bretagne - Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est and Rhineland-Palatinate: Day 9 - 16053, Day 8 - 16052, Day 7 - 16051, Day 6 - 16050, Day 5 - 16049, Day 4 - 16048, Day 3 - 16047, Day 2 - 16046, Day 1 - 16045.

Morning on the beach, where we escaped from 2 dogs.

The Saint-Maurice chapel is situated atop a rocky promontory overlooking the Gouessant estuary.

 

Returning back for the breakfast.

Driving in René over the Trieux.

The Trieux is a 72-kilometre-long river in Brittany.

Tréguier is a port town at the confluence of Le Guindy and Le Jaudy.

The Parish Church of Notre-Dame of Plouguiel is built in the neo-Gothic architectural style, which was popular during the 19th century revival of Gothic architecture.

Bar on the way.

Hope drove past The Église Saint-Pierre de Plougrescant, or the Church of Saint Peter in Plougrescant.

Towards The small house between two rocks in Castel Meur.

The small house is also known as the "Gouffre" or "La Maison du Gouffre," and is indeed a unique and iconic landmark.

It is nestled between two massive granite boulders, giving it a dramatic and picturesque setting. The house was built in 1861 by a local fisherman named Théodore Jacobsen. 

The Côte de Granit Rose, or Pink Granite Coast, is a stunning stretch of coastline.

 

The coastline of the Pink Granite Coast is known for its rugged beauty, with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and sandy beaches, all framed by the striking pink granite formations.

Exploring the rocks with Bronco.

Bronco wants an ice-cream.

 

Like many coastal areas, the cape is subject to erosion caused by the relentless force of the sea.

 

The Côte de Granit Rose stretches for more than thirty kilometers from Plestin-les-Grèves to Louannec, encompassing Trégastel.

There are more or less three pink granite coasts in the world, one in Brittany, one in Corsica and one in China, which therefore makes it a fairly popular holiday destination.

Photo session.

  

In Perros-Guirec we stopped for Crêpes and Cider. Crêpes originate in the Brittany and we have two main types of crêpes in French cuisine: sweet crêpes (crêpes sucrées) and savory crêpes (galettes). In France, February 2nd is celebrated as "La Chandeleur," also known as Crêpe Day.

After another 2 hours in the van, we reached the farthest point of our trip,  westernmost point of continental France, 48°24′52″N 4°47′40″W.

 

Digging the sand on Plage de Corsen.

Buddies.

Well, I confess, we didn't go swimming here, although we should.

Playing with Bronco on the beach.

Above the beach.

France is the 3rd westernmost country on mainland Europe, after Portugal and Spain.

No more West from here. We set our course back to East.

 

Funny faces.

Bronco met a French friend.

Shores of Atlantic ocean. When travelling straight west from Pointe de Corsen across the Atlantic Ocean you would hit land after around 3500 km back in France, in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France, just near the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Extrêmes.

 

Dinner time.

Corentin is one of the "Seven Saints" who evangelized Brittany. The Saint-Corentin Chapel is dedicated to him.

 

The chapel was built between 1898 and 1900, on the site of a primitive 15th century chapel.  Above the main altar, there remains a statue of Saint Corentin dating from the old chapel.

Our camp site and pills for good night.

Official song of the trip (it was a hit at this time in France): Miley Cyrus - Flowers

Day 10, 328 km: From Morieux to An Eskobed.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items  "MissJenn’s 5 Cents", TB9K7R9, "Sukerbiet 1", TB9VDJJ, "Schwarzer Delfin mit Anker", TB9YMGV and "Geo virus", TB45ZBF):

- La Chapelle Saint Maurice, Virtual, GC9P8A3

- Castel Meur - Guérite, GC4QH26

- La pointe du Corsen., GC5D9CX

- Bonus Adventure Lab Corsen, Mystery, GC97WXY

- Plomodiern : Saint Corentin, GC3DC1Z

#hiking #CatahoulaLeopardDog #vacation #VanTrip #Europe #geocaching

16053

France: Mont-Saint-Michel, Oysters in Cancale, Pointe du Grouin, Fort du Guesclin and Cap Fréhel

In the morning we visited Mont-Saint-Michel, a tidal island in Normandy and then we headed to Brittany. First we had oysters in Cancale and then we made a nice hike to a peninsula Pointe du Grouin. After a while we drove past Fort du Guesclin to Cap Fréhel. We finished the day near the beach near the city of Morieux.

Previous days of our road trip to Bayern - Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Netherlands, Belgium, Hauts-de-France, Normandie - Normandy, Bretagne - Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est and Rhineland-Palatinate: Day 8 - 16052, Day 7 - 16051, Day 6 - 16050, Day 5 - 16049, Day 4 - 16048, Day 3 - 16047, Day 2 - 16046, Day 1 - 16045.

 

Bronco enjoyed sleeping while we drove to Mont-Saint-Michel.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island, that lies approximately one kilometre off France's north-western coast.

 

Mont-Saint-Michel and its surrounding bay were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 for its unique aesthetic and importance as a Catholic site. It is visited by more than three million people each year. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

The island remained unconquered during the Hundred Years' War. A small garrison fended off a full attack by the English in 1433. Louis XI recognized the benefits of its natural defense and turned it into a prison. The abbey was used regularly as a prison during the Ancien Régime.

 

At the summit of Mont-Saint-Michel is a medieval Benedictine abbey, dedicated to the archangel St. Michael.

The surrounding bay experiences some of the highest tides in Europe, with water levels rising and falling dramatically throughout the day. On average, the tidal range in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is around 10 meters.

 

Mont-Saint-Michel is named after the archangel Michael, who is traditionally depicted as the leader of the heavenly armies and the protector of Christians.

Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called Mont Tombe (Latin: tumba).

Looking back to the mainland France.

In Peter Jackson's 2003 film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Gondor's capital city, Minas Tirith, is modelled on Mont-Saint-Michel.

 

Animals of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Our 8 km walk was finished - Garmin Connect.

We left Normandy and entered Brittany. Cancale was our first stop.

Cancale is a picturesque fishing port popular with visitors, many of whom are drawn by its reputation as the "oyster capital" of Brittany.

 

The oyster market (marché aux huîtres) at the harbour at the end of Quai de l'Administrateur en Chef Thomas offers a wide variety of local oysters at producer prices.

We had to try them.

 

History has it that Louis XIV had his oysters brought to Versailles from Cancale. Centuries later, the farming of oysters is still a major activity in the port and there are oyster beds covering about 7.3 square kilometres easily seen from the pier at the harbour. These beds harvest about 25,000 tons of oysters each year.

 

Bronco didn't like the oysters.

Exploring the coast.

The town of Cancale has a rich maritime history, with a picturesque harbor that was once a bustling fishing port and trading hub.

Goodbye Cancale and the oysters.

Our next stop was Pointe du Grouin.

View to Île des Landes, now a bird sanctuary.

Pointe du Grouin is a rugged and rocky headland that juts out into the English Channel, offering panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding islands.

The headland is characterized by towering granite cliffs, sculpted by centuries of erosion from wind and waves, creating dramatic coastal scenery.

Bronco.

Pointe du Grouin is traversed by several hiking trails, including the GR34 coastal path.

 

Pointe du Grouin has played a role in maritime history, serving as a navigational landmark for sailors and fishermen navigating the treacherous waters of the English Channel.

Back towards René - Garmin Connect.

Stop for a pee with a view to Fort du Guesclin.

Fort du Guesclin is also a tidal island. The first construction was built in 1026 by a member of the Du Guesclin family.

Driving with sheep Hope over the Rance river.

 

Cap Fréhel is a spectacular headland located on the Brittany coast of France, renowned for its stunning cliffs, rugged landscapes, and panoramic views of the English Channel.

Cap Fréhel is situated on the Emerald Coast of Brittany.

The coastal heathlands and cliffs of Cap Fréhel support a rich diversity of plant and animal life, including seabirds, marine mammals, and rare coastal flora.

 

Cap Fréhel has played a strategic role in maritime history, serving as a navigational landmark and lookout point for sailors and fishermen navigating the treacherous waters of the English Channel.

The rocky outcrops and formations at Cap Fréhel display fascinating geological features, including natural arches, sea caves, and tidal pools.

Hello Baki!

Tourists.

Jump for joy.

 

Cap Fréhel offers opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts, with several challenging routes along the cliffs that attract climbers seeking adventure and stunning views.

 

Bronco, Nada and Tuši.

Cap Fréhel is a popular spot to watch the sunset over the sea. We were a bit early for that.

 

Cap Fréhel is steeped in folklore and legends, with tales of mermaids, sea monsters, and ghostly apparitions said to haunt the cliffs and caves.

 

Phare du cap Fréhel - The two lighthouses of Cap Fréhel.

The path led us back to our van - Garmin Connect.

Driving through Dahouët.

 

We found a nice place to park our van and stay over the night.

 

Chef Tuši in actoion.

 

Bon Appétit.

Day 9, 183 km: From Céaux to Morieux.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items  "MissJenn’s 5 Cents", TB9K7R9, "Sukerbiet 1", TB9VDJJ, "Schwarzer Delfin mit Anker", TB9YMGV and "Geo virus", TB45ZBF):

- Pause géomobile au Mont‏ ..., GC5YEEB

- MONT SAINT MICHEL : LES JARDINS, GC9257V

- Bonus Lab'Cache Le Marquis de Tombelaine, Mystery, GC8G7Y5

- Le Grouin dans les buissons, GC2J0MF

- Plévenon Cap-Fréhel "l'Azuré des Mouillères", GC7432E

#hiking #CatahoulaLeopardDog #vacation #VanTrip #Europe #geocaching