Normandy trip - Day 3

Saturday morning - market day - in Honfleur. I wish we'd had more time to look around but we had a busy day ahead. The fishermen had delivered the days' catch and the fish and shrimp were still wriggling as they were placed on display for sale. Now that's fresh!

On the way to the car I popped into a patisserie and bought a couple of baguettes, then James and I shopped at a local supermarket where the fish was still jumping there too. We bought cherry tomatoes, a Camembert and red wine for our picnic lunch. All packed and ready to go, we reluctantly left Honfleur and headed east to the outskirts of Paris.

On the way we passed motorways signs to Vernon, the town just next to Monet's garden at Giverny. It was soooo tempting to pull off and drive the mere 5 km's but instead the signs flew by and we kept going. Our focus was the grand Château de Chantilly, in the village of the same name, 'The Town of Princes, the Capital of Horses'. A French friend of ours had recommended it and as we couldn't get to the Loire Valley we thought this would be a good compromise.

Cresting the hill the Château was spread out below us - just incredible! Along with the impressive (total understatement!) Château was the Horse Museum. We haven't been to Versailles to compare this but it was a spectacular sight. We parked the car and had our picnic on the grass overlooking the Chateau. I never wanted that cheese to end! Afterwards we heaved ourselves up and spent some time exploring the apartments and treasures within. At 2pm there was a little train to take us around the extensive parkland and gardens. James fell asleep, full of food and little legs worn out.

The sat-nav took us back onto the motorway and onto Lille. We had visited here last November with friends and it was a totally different atmosphere this time, but still a lovely place. We found our hotel, Couvent des Minimes, a renovated convent int he heart of the city, then wandered about to find some dinner. There were plenty of people about in the evening and we were happy to see some of the familiar buildings then relax over dinner and beer!

Photos are here.