Family trip to Normandy and Brittany: Chef's tips

After my internship at the DESSANCE restaurant (Chef Christophe Boucher), I went on a trip with my family to western France, which I had planned a few months in advance with one of my chefs from the Cordon Bleu – with an emphasis on food, of course (: So just before my next internship in pastry, join me on a journey through France you never knew (:

Short stop in Caen

This is the third largest city in Normandy and is the capital of the Calvados department and the Normandy region. We were in Cannes for less than two hours, stopping halfway and walking around the city center a bit. On Rue Froide. Sweet shops and you can really walk around for hours. I was excited about two specific shops. (I suppose if I had more time the list would have been longer.)

Epicerie Fine Piment Poivre&Compagnie

Address: Rue Froide 24, Caen

Cooking store. A selection of acids from the moon to the earth, as well as spices. I bought white wine mustard, rosemary honey and mango vinegar. Still, you have to carry everything back later (:

A La Folie's

Address: Rue Froide 41, Caen

A boutique store selling jewelry and accessories. There is a lot of selection and the prices are reasonable, and even cheap compared to what this boutique has to offer. We did a shopping trip there. (Well.. after all, three girls).

Mont-Saint-Michel

An island off the coast Normandy And Brittany in France. It is located about one kilometer from the coast, at the mouth of the Quanon River. Twice a day it becomes part of the mainland due to the extreme tides that characterize this area. One of the considerations for declaring the place a World Heritage Site is the many layers of construction on the island, which have created a thousand-year-old construction throughout history, an overall appearance of an island that seems to have been painted or taken from another world. For us, in a hotel located in a hotel area, a code is needed to enter the area, feels a bit like a shack. In idea. The view, on the other hand, does not come close at all. (: We took a shuttle to the mountain and started going up, went into the shops, bought souvenirs, and took pictures - lots. There is also the option to go up the stairs and look at the view, stunning.

The view from the church up the mountain is beautiful and it’s very nice to walk there. But even half a mountain is enough, depending on how much time you have allotted for yourself to stay there. We had our dinner at the famous omelette restaurant in France. If you only plan to come for half a day, I highly recommend coming in the afternoon, so you can see the mountain at night, it is simply amazing in its beauty. At midnight we woke up to the sound of loud booms, we were too lazy to go out at first to check what it was. But when we gathered our strength and went out to the common balcony on the floor, we discovered that there was a spectacular fireworks show from the fortress. I don’t know if it was a one-time thing, or a fireworks show that happens every so often. I recommend that you check with the hotel reception as soon as you arrive if it is happening while you are here.

La Mere Poulard

Address: Grand rue 50170 Mont saint Michel

The restaurant is stunning, and the omelet-making show is also very nice. Some people are very enthusiastic about these omelets, and on the other hand - those who are not at all. For me, it's an experience. But less of an experience for the pocket, an omelet costs 40 euros. You can ask in advance if it's possible to share the menu together (first, omelet and dessert) or just enjoy the show. Decide what suits you. They whip up the omelets to a musical beat in the most expensive cooking utensils in France, and they fry them over an open fire. On the walls are dozens of photos of all the celebrities who have ever eaten at the restaurant. Oh yeah, and I don't recommend their coffee at all. On the other hand, the creme brulee was excellent.

Cancale

The town is famous in France for its oysters. I recommend parking on the waterfront (Gambetta parking) and strolling through the shops. Two hours is enough to stroll around Cancale.

Au Pied D'cheval

Address: Quai Gambetta 10, Cancale
If you like it, there's no way you're missing out on the most famous oyster restaurant in the area.

Real chocolate

Address: Quai Gambetta 6, Cancale
There are branches of this chocolate shop in every France. I already fell in love with it on my previous visit here. Beyond the fact that the sellers are always so kind, “Just taste it”! “You haven’t tasted this flavor yet”, they sell chocolates by weight, and quality and delicious chocolate. I really like the chocolate-covered marshmallows. Everyone will find a chocolate they like in this store.

Saint-Malo

The city has been inhabited since Celtic times. It is a walled port city. Its maritime history and impressive fortifications have made it a favorite tourist destination in the Brittany region. There were also pirates here called “corsairs”, who operated under the license and supervision of the French government, and collected taxes from British ships that passed through the canal. The most fun is to walk around the old city and stroll along the wall and among the shops. Must eat: Quinamen - a local dessert, based on dough croissant Caramelized.

The Butter House

Address: 9 Rue de l'Orme

The best butter I've ever eaten, and the best in France. On my previous trip I made a big purchase at this store. This time, due to the length of the trip and my family's lack of movement, we just looked (and on Sunday we already wanted to buy, of course it was closed after 12:30). If you're in Saint-Malo for a whole day, I recommend that you buy a good baguette, seasoned butter, Cheeses, sausages and quinnaman (the local pastry) for dessert. You can sit on one of the benches, or on the waterfront and just enjoy life, that's basically the essence of this butter for me.

Emerald Wave

Address: 4 rue porcon de la Babinais
The first shop we fell in love with belongs to a husband and wife (there is a separate shop for the wife and a separate shop for the husband). We are a family that loves art, especially sculptures. Actually, mostly ducks (my father is a big collector of ducks, he has over 100 duck sculptures - and this is just the beginning). We fell in love with several ducks, including the sculptures that the lady sells. She is kind and nice and bargains excellently - for the benefit of the customer (:

Emerald Coast

Address: 18 Dinan Street
The shop of the lady above's husband, it's amazing how different their styles are. We didn't miss this shop either.

Sanchez

Address: 9 rue Vielle butchery
We enjoyed it so much we went back again. The coolest ice cream cups I've ever seen. The coffee was good too (which is hard to find in France). The waffle was excellent too. I recommend sitting right inside, even if you just want ice cream. The line was so long it went on to the next street.

Funky Shop

Address: 13 Rue de l'Orme

My sister has great taste in clothes, and she found this store (a block from the butter shop I love so much). I wouldn't say it's cheap, but the stuff is so cool and unique that it's worth walking away with an item or two. I snagged about six pairs of earrings, some of my weaknesses. Yes, even the ones with the donuts.

Java

Address: 3 Rue Sainte-Barbe
I don't know how many dolls there are in this bar. I can only say that there are a lot! You'll be lucky if you manage to see a piece of the wall. The place is magical, you sit among porcelain dolls and historical maps. Among signs that look like they were torn from a fairy tale and the entrance to the bathroom was definitely taken from the book Narnia. If you want to sit at the bar, you'll be happy to know that you'll sit on wooden rocking chairs or beams. What's more, there's no food, no popcorn or bread, I recommend coming with seventy. You'll always have topics for conversation in this doll bar, that's what's so beautiful about it.

 Creperie des Lutin

Address: 7 Main Street
And here is another magical place. The creperie (crepes) of the elves. Open drawers on the walls, witches on the ceiling and potions on the shelves. “The fairies and elves wish you a delicious feast”, that’s what the menu says. Order yourself a galette (crepe Salty) alongside apple cider (a carbonated alcoholic apple drink. According to tradition, you must drink cider alongside the galettes). Then order the sweet crepes (the batter is completely different), if you like shows alongside your food and alcohol, order a crepe from the flumbe category. Choose your favorite crepe flavor and the waiter will come with a siren and a match and light the crepe on fire for you. Always nice (: Important point: book a place in advance, the place is small and always full: 02994000729

Saint Suliac

On our way to our next destination we drove to Saint-Suliac, the lady at the hotel said it was the most beautiful village in France. So we went to check it out. And it was. A charming village located on a river with stone houses and colorful windows. If you have 20 minutes to spare I highly recommend driving and enjoying the architecture and the view. Across the river there is a small cafe (if you can even call it a cafe) I recommend sitting down for a beer or coffee and just enjoying the view and togetherness - an experience! The meditation of nature. If you have time you can stop in Dinard and Dinan, a recommendation I received from my chef, we didn't have that much time.

 Normandy and Brittany travel map

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