Arrived Sun 11-9 morning after a red eye flight into de Gaulle, where USAir promptly lost one of Jane's bags, we took the RER 'B' into Paris where our hotel, the Villa Montparness allowed us to check in early. After a quick shower, we walked to Les Catacombes. After trying to see the Catacombes for over ten years and 4 visits to Paris, and as many fails, we had a 3.5 hour wait to get in and it was so worth it. We walked around Paris for a bit and had a light dinner at a small Bistro. PICS HERE

Monday 11.10 You would think after getting to bed early the night before, we wouldn't have overslept. Good news at check out, we discovered they delivered our lost bag overnite, so we ate breakfast, grabbed the RER B back to to CDG to get our rental car. Unfortuanelty, we lost even more time, as a passenger on the train left a bag, so they shut down the entire line and we had to get a bus into the airport. Eventually, we picked up the car and drove to Mont St Michel. You have to park on the mainland and take a shuttle bus to the island. Because of the delays, and the lost time, we only had a bit of time to walk around before it got dark. To make up for it, we had an amazing dinner at Le Mouton Blanc, Fish soup, Goat cheese salad, Chicken and frites, and Lamb Stew and frites. PICS HERE

Tuesday 11.11 We checked out of our Hotel, Vielle Auberge, walked around the ramparts, and decide to walk across the foor bridge rather than take the shuttle. We took the long way from Mont St. Michel over to Normandy. Every road leading to a beach, lighthouse, or point, we took! What an amazing drive. Eventually we got to our hotel, Ferme de la Ranconniere, where we were going to stay for 3 nights and explore the Normandy coast and the D-Day beaches.
Quite simply, this was one of the most amazing places we have ever stayed at. Jane got some package deal that included two meals at the restaurant.
On our first night, we had the 'Terroir' menu.
Jane had Crunchy Bulgur, mushrooms, potted gizards, raspberry vinegar, then Apple Sorbet and calvados, and for an entree, Rack of Wild Boar w/ wine sauce, and a Profite roll and ice cream for dessert.
I had the Dish of the chef which was Veal, veggies, toast, then Apple Sorbet and calvados, for an entree Black Halibut crusted with sesame and wasabi, cream of sweet pepper, and for dessert, White/Black chocolate. We also had a a bottle of Nuits-Saint Georges' La Richemone' Grand Cru
Yep, it's all about the food.....PICS HERE

Wednesday 11.12 Up early for breakfast! Ate and left before anyone else even showed up. We drove to Utah Beach Mueseum, then some memorials. We also managed to fit in the Airborne Museum AND the Normandy Tank Museum. We also drove over to Pont du Hoc for sunset. We had a carpet picnic dinner after then back to the B&B.
PICS HERE

Thursday 11.13 Up early again, then out to Arromanches and a walk on the beach. Saw the quay at low tide, amazing. We drove over to the American Military Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, then the Overlord museum. We also managed the drive to Bayeux and the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux to see the famous tapestry, stopped by Caen HD for the obligatory t-shirt, and a drive home along the ocean. We had to get back in time to get our second dinner, this time we chose the ' Gastronomic' menu.
Jane had Chef's foie gras w/ marinated apples, Scallops/scampis, pan fried pumpkin and apple and acidulated beetroot, Meddallions of Doe w/bacon, cranberries and pine kernals, and to finish up, a Cheese plate.
I had Chef's foie gras w/ marinated apples, Foie Gras w/ jelly of Champagne & balsamic beads, for an entree, the Norman beef filet, fricasee of boletus mushrooms and smoked oil, and for dessert, Apple 'pie' with salted caramel ice cream. PICS HERE

Friday 11.14 Sadley, we had to depart Ferme. We drove to Failaise and toured William the Conqueror's castle. We then drove to Le Mans, visited the racing museum, and drove to Tennessus, our castle B&B. We drove into town and had dinner at Les Templiers in Parthenay. PICS HERE

Saturday 11-15 We depart for the long drive south to Faugeres, not many pics, but some of the castle as we leave. PICS HERE

Sunday 11-16 Sunday lunch at Auberge de Combes, my favorite restaraunt in the world.....each menu item described in the pics. PICS HERE

Monday 11-17 Day out. We drove into Bedariux for some wine shopping, then north, and back along the Orb Valley. Dinner at Sergios, best pizza in France! PICS HERE

Tuesday 11-18 Leaving Faugeres, we took Jane's parents with us for an overnite trip. We drove to Collioure and Banyuls near the Spanish border. We had a picnic at a lighthouse, Le Cap Bear, walked aorund Chateau Royal, the port area, and a drive thru mountains. I really want to re-visit this area, they had some amazing cliff walks and paths in the mountains to hike. We checked into our hotel, Hotel Les Elmes and had an amazing dinner at La Littorine, the hotel eatery. PICS HERE

Wednesday 11-19 Breakfast in the Les Elmes hotel. We drive back into Port Vedres for a look around and then down the coastal road and cross the border into Spain, a quick visit to Port de la Selvia and then lunch at a small place in Spain where we had Paella prepared tableside. Worth the wait!. Back to Faugeres along the motorway. We also managed another meal at Sergio's....yum. PICS HERE

Thursday 11-20 From Faugeres, we went to Beziers and stopped by the HD shop for yet another shirt. Then on up to the Millau Viaduct, the worlds tallest bridge, and along the Gorge du Tarn on our way towards Paris. We got partway up the Tarn before construction made us double back, so we lost alot of time, but still a nice drive. PICS HERE

Friday 11-21 Arrive at our hotel at CDG. Take the RER into paris and the Latin Quarter for dinner, and packed to return home Saturday PICS HERE