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drray23

(8,819 posts)
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 04:03 PM Apr 5

I am excited to fly to France in two days.

We are going to visit family and tour around. From where we are based (near Nantes), we are going to be driving around to various spots. In particular, I want my wife to experience a place that is magical. I went there as a kid with my parents. It is Mont-Saint-Michel, now a UNESCO world heritage site. This is a near island (used to be, but now you can drive to it) that is a medieval city.

It has this incredible Benedictine abbey (circa 9th century, upgraded over the centuries) that you can visit. I booked a nice hotel inside the walls of this little medieval city (Auberge Saint-Pierre : https://www.auberge-saint-pierre.fr/en/ )




I am taking my sketching and gouache painting kit.

That is one of the wonderful things about France. Pretty much from anywhere, you are within three to four hours of wonderful locations, given that it only takes 10 hours or so to cross from top to bottom.

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I am excited to fly to France in two days. (Original Post) drray23 Apr 5 OP
Beautiful place! Safe travels! n/t CousinIT Apr 5 #1
Family on my father's side are from the Pas-de-Calais Apr 5 #2
Not one of the places you wanted to be during WWII, True Dough Apr 5 #9
Is gouache similar to watercolor? BarbD Apr 5 #3
Gouache is basically opaque watercolor. drray23 Apr 5 #4
Gouache is my favorite to use, BigmanPigman Apr 5 #11
I'm sure you've seen Old Cranks posts on Mont Saint Michel (and many other places) erronis Apr 5 #5
Sounds great. Old Crank Apr 5 #6
I just saw your thread on mont-saint-michel. drray23 Apr 5 #7
We finally got us there in Feb. Old Crank Apr 5 #8
wow! AllaN01Bear Apr 5 #10
Ah, Mont-Saint-Michel! On the bucket list. paleotn Apr 5 #12
Safe travels! HeartsCanHope Apr 5 #13

True Dough

(27,222 posts)
9. Not one of the places you wanted to be during WWII,
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 05:56 PM
Apr 5

but that was true of many locations in Europe at that time.

drray23

(8,819 posts)
4. Gouache is basically opaque watercolor.
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 05:07 PM
Apr 5

It has a binder which makes it opaque. It is a water based medium. They do make acrylic gouache which behaves differently. Traditional gouache can be reactivated by water. It dries fast so you can keep layering as you go.

BigmanPigman

(55,475 posts)
11. Gouache is my favorite to use,
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 06:14 PM
Apr 5

Better than oil, water colors or acrylics as far as my technique goes. I'm an illustrator and do not paint well but gouache is great, especially with glazes.

I went to Mt. St. Michelle in 1997 on a tour of France and our guide told us that school kids visit on field trips and a few times the tide came in so quickly they got stuck. I hope you're in good shape since it is really high and some people on the tour couldn't climb all the steps.

erronis

(24,423 posts)
5. I'm sure you've seen Old Cranks posts on Mont Saint Michel (and many other places)
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 05:18 PM
Apr 5

Here's a recent one: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1036159856

Since I'll probably never get in an airplane (and rowing takes too long), please take pictures so we can live vicariously.

Old Crank

(7,186 posts)
6. Sounds great.
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 05:30 PM
Apr 5

I have just recently been there. Pictures on the DU photosite, Mt. Saint Michel, about 3 entries. We took the tour, worth it.
We had dinner at the Auberge Mere Poulard. I don't recommend it. Their breakfast buffet was good and it came with our room. We had lunch at the creperie La Belle Normandie, savory and sweet crepes.

If you have time, Saint Malo is close to MSM. We stayed there 2 nights at. The Hotel Universe. It is inside the walls. You can park outside the walls for really cheap compared to the underground place. I also have pictures in Photography, St. Malo.

Any questions just ask or dumail. I'll answer as best I can.


drray23

(8,819 posts)
7. I just saw your thread on mont-saint-michel.
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 05:35 PM
Apr 5

Great pics. I know Saint-Malo quite well. Been there many times. My wife, who was born in America (I am a dual American French citizen), never experienced these places, She has been in France many times but usually we would hang out in the south. This time we decided to go drive around Normandy.

Old Crank

(7,186 posts)
8. We finally got us there in Feb.
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 05:41 PM
Apr 5

Normally we have been in PAris, Lyon and the massif Central area. 3 bike tours down in that area and the Dordogne.

Very nice, HAve a great trip.

paleotn

(22,621 posts)
12. Ah, Mont-Saint-Michel! On the bucket list.
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 06:27 PM
Apr 5

Been on the other side of the Channel several times. But not the French side. Back in the 90's my sister and I tried to get Dad to go back to Normandy and we'd go with him and mom. It was a thing then with WW2 vets. Dad declined. He'd seen the Normandy coast and countryside and didn't care to see it again. I haven't had the opportunity since but will go before I expire.

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