As world travelers and photographers, Henderson Productions joined forces with our friends from Poggio Amorelli B&B to explore culinary France. Master Chef contestant Angela Perkins contacted chefs in five distinct regions and asked us to design and document the trip. We knew it would be a journey for our senses: to see, taste, smell and touch France. Above all else, we aimed to enjoy the adventure. We are delighted to report those goals were met and more. Along the way many chefs gave us permission to include their recipes to help you recreate some of our experiences. We invite you to appreciate the bounty of their gifts. Bon Appetit et Bon Voyage.
First Glimpse of Mont St Michel
The next morning, we departed for the less than 2-hour trip to Mont Saint Michel – the shining symbol of the country perched on the edge of both Brittany and Normandy and twice daily foot washed by the insistent sea. We first glimpsed it from the highway and had timed our arrival intentionally for high tide only to learn the current drought meant it was only surrounded a couple times a month! So we made lemonade and walked out onto the windy mud flats to capture interesting angles.
The low tide mud flats
One can spend several hours pacing up the steep lanes and staircases to as high as allowed to go. It was a glorious day with plenty of sun and shadows to enjoy the ramparts and soaring arches of the cathedral on the mont.
The pulley wheel inside the convent to help bring supplies up the steep architecture
Buckwheat savory crepes
Our afternoon was complete with a visit to La Sirene Creperie and the extreme talent of Chef Nicholas Loucher wielding a large spatula to expertly turn the buckwheat crepes into savory masterpieces. We shared three savory and one sweet with great joy with every bite. If you’re headed to Mont St Michel, it’s through the shop and up the turret staircase into the creperie. The crem de la crem is Norvegienne with raspberry sauce, ice cream and flaming Grand Marnier. Memorable.
Pouring the flambe over the sweet crepe
Finding our home for the night owned by Paul in the tiny village of Guiberol was a navigational challenge. By hook and crook and intermittent GPS signals combined with our detailed map – with no Guiberol on it – and the pre-printed directions, we pulled in well before nightfall and time for a light pasta meal ala our Chef Angela. Rick and I went in search of and found a perfect perch to watch sunset over the Mont and capture that magical moment in each evening before it gets pitch black and after the sun is glaring toward the lenses. We loved the pics we captured and the romantic nature of both the City and the sunset.
