A Walk Down Memory Lane // Normandy, France

So this evening we’re setting off to France for a little summer break with some friends, staying in Le Vay, Normandy and I thought it would be an apt time to take a walk down memory lane and share about our last visit to Normandy back in June 2013…

The first of many camping holidays, Pete and I packed our tent, loaded the car and set off on the Portsmouth -> Cherbourg car ferry for our 3rd trip to France together. Our intention was to spend the week exploring the Normandy region, with no real agenda, no plans of where to go or where to stay but just the freedom to roam –  it was a fun adventure!

Normandy is absolutely beautiful. I had been before on a school trip (circa 2004!) and had always wanted to return. The coastline is full of golden beaches, cute French fishing villages and historical interest. We spent the first few days pottering around the coastline enjoying quaint harbours where boats bobbed up and down, eating a crepe or two in towns and finding little campsites to set up for the night with a nice glass of red wine.

Meandering along the coast, we stopped in picturesque bays, the names of which we have since forgotten, but the memories are still fresh in our minds. Enjoying watching the bright blue waters and crashing white waves, we often found ourselves the only people on some of the beautiful Normandy beaches.

The highlight of our trip has to be from the 9th of June, 2013, on a beach in Granville where Pete got one down on one knee and popped the question after serenading me with a romantic medley of songs played on his guitar.

From our beachside bliss, we checked into The Best Western on Granville seafront for an evening of fine dining and champagne, the perfect finish to a beautiful day!

From Granville, we crossed over into Brittany to visit St Malo, an ancient walled port city, full of character and charm. St Malo has lots of boutique shops selling souvenirs, chocolates, macarons and caramels, as well as being home to a range of classic French restaurants selling mussels in white wine sauce and steak frites.

Heading back into Normandy, we found a perfect campsite located alongside a beautiful footpath looking out towards Mont Saint Michel. We stayed there for a couple of nights, enjoying champagne in plastic wine glasses and classic a la carte campsite dishes, looking out towards the magical island, topped with its Medieval monastery, which is beautifully lit at night.

Marking the special occasion, we lit Chinese lanterns, sending them up into the sky and watching them float away across the French countryside.

The last day of our French adventure was spent enjoying fresh bread, cheese and wine on the sand dunes of a deserted golden beach we found close to Cherbourg. No matter what people say, you can’t beat a French picnic of bread and cheese and this beautiful beach spot provided the perfect end to our holiday!

We absolutely loved our first trip to Normandy (and brief cross-over into Brittany) and loved looking back over these images marking a special time in our story together.

Look out for our new posts in the coming weeks from our return visit to the French region as we enjoy our 2016 summer holiday! #VivaLeVay ?