France's northwestern beaches have been a pleasant surprise - again and again. A day at Damgan showed a different face, a little more rocky but a shell collection treasure trove - amazing that despite sunny and warm weather, the beach was virtually deserted on a Saturday.
Since the arrival of friends Janice and Charles and Logan on Sunday, we happily assumed the role of tour guides - and together we have seen so many of France's bright spots!
La Baule is claimed to be on of the continents best beaches and it certainly did not disappoint the day we visited - water that the teenager claimed was "definitely swimable" actually was tolerable - for most of us - especially after some time in the stunning sunshine, and between frisbee and football games. Nearby Guerande is the longtime centre of salt extraction - a neat and ages old local product.
The seafaring walled city at St. Malo is a relatively intact walled and quite obviou
sly wealthy city with a fantastic natural setting and tides that are really fascinating - we hiked to the Grande Be to view the city from the sea side, and walked the whole circumference of the wall... beautiful! Jacques Cartier's statue is featured prominently on the promenade, acknowledging his role discovering the Baie St. Laurent. After the trek around the city we had a nice break on the nearby cliffs on the Pointe du Grouin and watched the incredible tide come in.
On the cliffs above la baie du Mont-Saint-Michel watching the inflow of Europe's highest tidal flows - where the water can recede 15km at low tide!
It is no surprise that Mont. Saint Michel is considered one of the most special and most visited places in the country. Acknowledging the signs at the parking that warned us the tide would consume the parking lot by the evening, we arrived at the Mont early and proceeded through the knarly old streets, up to the Cathedral on top, and marvelled at every turn at the human effort and vision involved in 1000 years of mountain top construction and spiritual endeavour. 
We took the opportunity to see some of our local R-en-T sites when Ome Jan and Tante Thea arrived in their return trip from walking in Spain, to their home in Holland. The Chateau in town and the second half of the Grees walk was a nice sideline for them and for us. We even got to celebrate Jan's birthday with a great diner, delivered courtesy of the weekly fish monger who delivered us some wonderful seafood! 
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