Three Weeks in Beautiful Brittany, Normandy and Paris
Oct 20th, 2023 | 09:37 AM
#1
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Joined: Sep 2018
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Three Weeks in Beautiful Brittany, Normandy and Paris
As I was leaving Paris on my last trip there in 2019 I clearly remember thinking to myself “Goodbye my beautiful Paris, I’ll be back soon.” Little did I know it would be four years before that came true. But finally I was on my way back, and on this trip I would venture outside of Paris into the countryside for the first time.
I enjoy photography, so this trip report will be photo heavy (if I can get them to work.) I enjoy travel photos that document a slice of life, so there will be some of those, as well as scenery and touristy things.
Itinerary: (Places I stayed)
I will link my apartments here, in case anyone is interested. I have old, creaky knees, so they all had either no stairs (or an elevator), and a walk in shower.
I took a direct flight on WestJet from Calgary, AB in Premium. They used to call it Premium Economy, but now it’s just Premium. I guess they think it sounds more fancy. I really appreciate the extra leg room and dedicated bathrooms. They serve free meals, snacks and beverages (including alcohol).
Take-off was delayed a bit while they waited for paperwork for the crew to clear Customs in Paris. Clearly someone dropped the ball. Oh well. Captain made up most of the time in the air, and we were only a little late arriving.
After collecting my luggage and going through Customs (automated now) I got a taxi to my apartment in the Montparnasse area for three nights. The apartment was cute, with a beautiful sunset view over the rooftops, and a view of the Eiffel Tower if you leaned out and to the right. Every available wall was filled with shelves that held books, DVD’s and music. The bed won the award for the most comfortable of the whole trip.
Saturday (arrival day) I didn’t do much, as is my usual on my first day. I don’t sleep much on planes and the jet-lag is real. Sunday I nearly gave myself heat-stroke. I overheat easily, and it was hot. I wandered around for a while looking for a restaurant for lunch (had my first crepe of the trip), and then afterward sat in a park, Then I went into Mono-prix for a few basic groceries (the AC was heavenly). Got turned around coming out of there, and by the time I got back to the apartment I was overheated. Immediately got into a cold shower, and then spent the rest of the afternoon chilling (literally) in front of my fan. I travel with a small travel fan, and I was very thankful to have it on this day (and for most of the trip, to be honest).
On Monday I took the bus to the Orange store to get a sim card for my unlocked phone that I use for travel. I was hoping that the kiosk in CDG would still be there, and it was, but it wasn’t open when I arrived.
Other than that I mostly puttered around the Montparnasse neighborhood. It was hot in Paris, but not as hot as it would be at the end of my trip!
A few photos from Paris.
I enjoy photography, so this trip report will be photo heavy (if I can get them to work.) I enjoy travel photos that document a slice of life, so there will be some of those, as well as scenery and touristy things.
Itinerary: (Places I stayed)
I will link my apartments here, in case anyone is interested. I have old, creaky knees, so they all had either no stairs (or an elevator), and a walk in shower.
- Paris - 3 (to start getting over jetlag) Very cozy apartment, very feng shui. - Apartments for Rent in Paris, Île-de-France, France - Airbnb
- LaGacilly - 3 Le cottage Saint Vincent-centre ville-wifi-parking - Apartments for Rent in La Gacilly, Bretagne, France - Airbnb
- Pont-Aven - 2 Gite in Pont-Aven Casarosy - Apartments for Rent in Pont-Aven, Bretagne, France - Airbnb
- Saint Malo - 3 (More on this one later)
- Honfleur - 2 La Rose des Sables, Plein Centre, Rooftop Views - Condominiums for Rent in Honfleur, Normandie, France - Airbnb
- Lisieux - 2 In the heart of Lisieux 83 m² and views of the Basilica - Apartments for Rent in Lisieux, Normandie, France - Airbnb
- Paris - 7 Crème de la Crème St Germain Studio | Vacation in Paris (I see that it is now a 30 night minimum)
I took a direct flight on WestJet from Calgary, AB in Premium. They used to call it Premium Economy, but now it’s just Premium. I guess they think it sounds more fancy. I really appreciate the extra leg room and dedicated bathrooms. They serve free meals, snacks and beverages (including alcohol).
Take-off was delayed a bit while they waited for paperwork for the crew to clear Customs in Paris. Clearly someone dropped the ball. Oh well. Captain made up most of the time in the air, and we were only a little late arriving.
After collecting my luggage and going through Customs (automated now) I got a taxi to my apartment in the Montparnasse area for three nights. The apartment was cute, with a beautiful sunset view over the rooftops, and a view of the Eiffel Tower if you leaned out and to the right. Every available wall was filled with shelves that held books, DVD’s and music. The bed won the award for the most comfortable of the whole trip.
Saturday (arrival day) I didn’t do much, as is my usual on my first day. I don’t sleep much on planes and the jet-lag is real. Sunday I nearly gave myself heat-stroke. I overheat easily, and it was hot. I wandered around for a while looking for a restaurant for lunch (had my first crepe of the trip), and then afterward sat in a park, Then I went into Mono-prix for a few basic groceries (the AC was heavenly). Got turned around coming out of there, and by the time I got back to the apartment I was overheated. Immediately got into a cold shower, and then spent the rest of the afternoon chilling (literally) in front of my fan. I travel with a small travel fan, and I was very thankful to have it on this day (and for most of the trip, to be honest).
On Monday I took the bus to the Orange store to get a sim card for my unlocked phone that I use for travel. I was hoping that the kiosk in CDG would still be there, and it was, but it wasn’t open when I arrived.
Other than that I mostly puttered around the Montparnasse neighborhood. It was hot in Paris, but not as hot as it would be at the end of my trip!
A few photos from Paris.
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Oct 21st, 2023 | 09:06 AM
#9
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 205
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Thanks for all of your replies.
More installments are coming. Everything was wonderful, but I really enjoyed the photo festival in La Gacilly.
What a wonderful trip you had! Your detailed itinerary and experiences in Brittany, Normandy, and Paris are truly inspiring. It’s great to see that despite the heat and jet lag, you managed to make the most of your time. Your photography skills seem to have captured the essence of your journey beautifully. So tell what was your favorite thing you would love to try again? Curiously waiting!!
Oct 21st, 2023 | 09:24 AM
#10
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 205
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Beautiful Brittany
Tuesday, August 22 - I took the train to Rennes and rented a car from Europcar. This was my first time renting a car in Europe, and only the second time taking a train. I was a bit nervous, but all was well. I gotto Gare Montparnasse ridiculously early, so I had plenty of time to scope things out and figure out the platform, etc.I rented the car through Auto Europe.
Thiswas about the time that I really started regretting my luggage decision. I started out determined to only take a carry-on, but just couldn’t do it. I ended up with a medium suitcase and a carry-on that held my laptop and camera gear. (As I unpack I am re-evaluating everything I took and see what I could do without next time.) Well, at the Rennes train station you have to go down the street a little way, and then into a parking garage to collect your rental car. It didn’t help that I turned the wrong way at first and had to backtrack, all while dragging my suitcase and carry-on. I eventually made it to the car pick up area and found my car, a Renault 308 (smallish SUV). There were a couple of times that I wished I had a smaller car, but I accepted an “upgrade” because I wanted GPS. Turned out that the GPS was pretty useless because I couldn’t figure out how to change the voice from French to English. I ended up using Google maps on my phone the whole time.
Found my way out of Rennes, and then drove to La Gacilly for three nights. Almost got in an accident in Rennes due to forgetting about the priority to the right rule. Oops! There was an outdoor photography exhibit in La Gacilly that I wanted to see, which was one of the reasons that I added Brittany to my itinerary. This ended up being one of my favorite stops of my whole trip. The cottage was newly renovated and very nice. The town was so cute, and I loved being in a small town where everything was walkable. The photography exhibit was great! They have it set up all over town in all kinds of outdoor spaces. I would definitely do this again if I had the opportunity.
Wednesday - I spent most of the day walking around and looking at the exhibits. One was interesting in that it had a recorded narration telling the story of the photos. It was in English, though, so I’m not sure if everyone understood it, which would be a shame as it really added to the meaning of the exhibit.
A few photos from La Gacilly.
I'm having trouble with the photos, so I have to go re-size them all. I'll be back. Also with the bolding grrr ... Ignore the bolding, please.
Tuesday, August 22 - I took the train to Rennes and rented a car from Europcar. This was my first time renting a car in Europe, and only the second time taking a train. I was a bit nervous, but all was well. I gotto Gare Montparnasse ridiculously early, so I had plenty of time to scope things out and figure out the platform, etc.I rented the car through Auto Europe.
Thiswas about the time that I really started regretting my luggage decision. I started out determined to only take a carry-on, but just couldn’t do it. I ended up with a medium suitcase and a carry-on that held my laptop and camera gear. (As I unpack I am re-evaluating everything I took and see what I could do without next time.) Well, at the Rennes train station you have to go down the street a little way, and then into a parking garage to collect your rental car. It didn’t help that I turned the wrong way at first and had to backtrack, all while dragging my suitcase and carry-on. I eventually made it to the car pick up area and found my car, a Renault 308 (smallish SUV). There were a couple of times that I wished I had a smaller car, but I accepted an “upgrade” because I wanted GPS. Turned out that the GPS was pretty useless because I couldn’t figure out how to change the voice from French to English. I ended up using Google maps on my phone the whole time.
Found my way out of Rennes, and then drove to La Gacilly for three nights. Almost got in an accident in Rennes due to forgetting about the priority to the right rule. Oops! There was an outdoor photography exhibit in La Gacilly that I wanted to see, which was one of the reasons that I added Brittany to my itinerary. This ended up being one of my favorite stops of my whole trip. The cottage was newly renovated and very nice. The town was so cute, and I loved being in a small town where everything was walkable. The photography exhibit was great! They have it set up all over town in all kinds of outdoor spaces. I would definitely do this again if I had the opportunity.
Wednesday - I spent most of the day walking around and looking at the exhibits. One was interesting in that it had a recorded narration telling the story of the photos. It was in English, though, so I’m not sure if everyone understood it, which would be a shame as it really added to the meaning of the exhibit.
A few photos from La Gacilly.
I'm having trouble with the photos, so I have to go re-size them all. I'll be back. Also with the bolding grrr ... Ignore the bolding, please.
Oct 21st, 2023 | 09:55 AM
#13
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,032
Likes: 6
I have never seen a bad outdoor photo expo in France. In Paris, they can be seen all year long on the SNCF bridges of northern Paris and the railings of stations like Gare de l'Est. People who never go to the outer arrondissements will never see them, although there are also some good shows along the outer fence of the Luxembourg gardens.
Oct 21st, 2023 | 10:32 AM
#14
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
I have never seen a bad outdoor photo expo in France. In Paris, they can be seen all year long on the SNCF bridges of northern Paris and the railings of stations like Gare de l'Est. People who never go to the outer arrondissements will never see them, although there are also some good shows along the outer fence of the Luxembourg gardens.
Oct 21st, 2023 | 11:35 AM
#15
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 0
I think you've just put La Gacilly on the Next Trip lists of everyone who looks at this thread.
The town when we visited one September was full of flowers. You could tell that Yves Rocher loved his native village and did a lot to make it beautiful and a worthwhile destination.
Your photos are wonderful.
The town when we visited one September was full of flowers. You could tell that Yves Rocher loved his native village and did a lot to make it beautiful and a worthwhile destination.
Your photos are wonderful.
Oct 21st, 2023 | 02:01 PM
#16
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Lovely photos. i think Kerouac is correct. We stumbled across Photo Aubrac in 2018. It was spread over a few villages and was an interesting addition to our day visiting the Aubrac plateau.
You are right Coquelicot. There are so many beautiful places waiting to be discovered.
You are right Coquelicot. There are so many beautiful places waiting to be discovered.
