Bill and Kathy's European Adventure and Engagement

Visit to Mont St Michel, Normandy, France

Half-way from Paris to Mont St. Michel, we stopped for brunch at a castle. 
 

Mont St Michel

Le Mont-Saint-Michael is a rocky, cone-shaped islet in northwestern France, in the Gulf of Saint-Malo. It is connected by a causeway with the mainland. The islet, famous for its Benedictine abbey, has small houses and shops on its lowest level. Above these stand the monastic buildings, many of which date from the 13th century and are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire islet is crowned by the abbey church, which sits about 240 ft above sea level.

First view of Mont St. Michel.

View from the top.

Inside the abbey.

 

Inside the abbey at the top of this enormous and beautiful structure is a ancient chapel. I asked a French friend of ours from Montgomery to call ahead and arrange that a monk pray with us that God will bless our relationship.

The proposal

View from hotel balcony in Paris.

 

Day trip to Belgium 

We took a high-speed train and a worldwind tour of Belgium. We first visited Bruges, a small town notable for its beautiful canals, architecture and cobbled streets. A second leg of the train journey took us to Brussels, where we enjoyed shopping and looking at the amazing architecture of the historic buildings.

At the Gare du Nord -- one on the larger Paris train stations.

 Leaving from the Gare du Nord heading to Brussels, Belgium

In the old town square in Brugge, Belgium
 

Ste. Chappelle, Paris 

Ste. Chappelle, built in 1248, this magnificent chapel has 50-foot-high windows containing the oldest stained-glass windows in Paris. They include over 1,100 scenes from the Old Testament.

Sacre Coeur

View of Paris from the steps of Sacre Coeur. 

The Louvre

 

 

Eiffel Tower

By day, you are more aware of the 15,000 metal parts and 2.5 million rivets; but by night, the Eiffel Tower is breathtaking!

"Last night in Paris--dinner at the Eiffel Tower." (After dinner, we took a taxi at midnight to Sacre' Coeur, "The Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre." Construction on this enormous and beautiful church began in 1875. It stands high above Paris and a beautiful view of the city can be seen from its steps. Although we missed Mass by 5 minutes, we ended the evening and our trip with a prayer of God's blessing on our marriage and His guidance in our lives for whatever it is He has for us to accomplish together.)