La Belle France

The French country is every bit as beautiful as its reputation and more. I can't imagine anything more peaceful than waking up to the sound of ringing church bells, the odd 'moo' of a cow, and the faint rooster's cry from a nearby farm. Each day brings a sense of complete clarity when I open the window to let in the morning air, scented with the mist that rests on forty different shades of green.

Market fresh produce, a dream for anyone who enjoys cooking and eating!

Cooking in a rustic kitchen. Normandy's cuisine is extremely rich, especially its creamy cheeses. Other specialties of the region include apple cidars, Calvados, and the lamb from Mont Saint Michel is sweet and tender.

Mont Saint Michel. Legend has it that the archangel Michael appeared in a vision to Saint Aubert in 708 A.D., instructing him to build a monastery atop an island. Saint Aubert repeatedly ignored the visions until Michael burned a hole in his skull. I guess that moved him to action.