A week in Normandy or Brittany in June

[Colo]

I hope you will get a chance to sample some of the local Calvados that are not exported or sold except in the village of origin. If a strong digestive is not for you, look for Pommeau (low alc - lots of apple flavor).

Food and wine / spirits are so much part of the local experience for me.

PS - I think you should do a courtesy taste on the oysters.

 

[Pauline]

We don't drink much but I will look for the Pommeau and try that. I haven't heard of it before. I remember drinking a Calvados when we were in Normandy a few years ago.

There is no chance that I will try oysters! I've been a vegetarian for 35+ years, but before that I never ate seafood. I'm not even sure that oysters are non-vegetarian (they don't have a face do they? I don't eat anything with a face), but - - - yuck!

I am looking forward to coffee and croissant in a café! And vegetarian savoury crepes (galettes).

 

[Colo]

well I guess a courtesy taste is not in your future

Here is a very interesting podcast on Calvados and Rum
Mostly about Calvados, but it talks about the history of Normandie, the fruits (apples & pears), and about the cider. I think Pommeau falls some where between the Cider and Calvados.

have a great trip

 

[Colo]

Yum yum
I checked no eyes

 

[Cameron]

There is no chance that I will try oysters! I've been a vegetarian for 35+ years, but before that I never ate seafood. I'm not even sure that oysters are non-vegetarian (they don't have a face do they? I don't eat anything with a face), but - - - yuck!

I'm allergic to seafood (my throat swells ) and fish usually makes me barf (sorry for that description), so I empathize.

That said, I'm looking forward to your posts about that area!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Pauline]

Several years ago we spent a week with friends here near Morlaix, in the Finistère department of Brittany -- http://www.coat-amour.fr/gite-de-lecurie/#!prettyPhoto[Ecurie]/1/. There is also a 1BR cottage on the beautiful grounds -- http://www.coat-amour.fr/la-maison-du-jardinier/#. It's a great location for seeing the northern coast of Brittany, which is the wildest and loveliest. Also a good location for seeing several of Brittany's famous calvaires. You could take the ferry to Roscoff from Plymouth and avoid the 4-hour drive from Cherbourg to Morlaix. Of course then you'd have the drive to Plymouth! BTW, our cottage was spotless and comfortable.

A year later and I am looking at this again. Last summer we went to St Malo and Cancale. This summer we will take the Plymouth to Roscoff ferry, spend a week near Carnac (I want to see the standing stones), then, I think, a week in Morlaix and this place recommended by @Ann .

If you see this post Ann, can you easily walk to shops, cafes and restaurants from this house?

 

[Ann]

Well, it depends on your definition of "easily," Pauline. I would say it would be about a twenty-minute walk to the area where the Morlaix market is held, near the Viaduct, although the web site says ten minutes to the center. I remember it being about a five-minute drive. I would check with the owner to be sure. It's a lovely area of Brittany!

 

[Pauline]

Thanks. I have booked a two week trip at the end of June. I used AirBnb for the first time. The Morlaix house was cheaper on Airbnb than on their website. We are doing mid-week arrivals because neither of these rentals needed Saturday to Saturday in June. This gives us a cheaper rate on the ferry and we don't have to drive home at night on a Saturday night (ferry arrives at 9pm and it is a 2 hour drive home).

We drive to Plymouth, overnight ferry to Roscoff. Then 3 hour drive to the Carnac area where we spend a week in La Trinite sul Mer.

After that 6 nights in Morlaix and the ferry from Roscoff (30 mins from Morlaix) back to Plymouth. 6 nights instead of 7 because of the ferry schedule. We can get an earlier ferry that arrives at 8pm, so are driving home in daylight mostly.