Had a leisurely start to the day as it was raining. By mid morning we were on our way to Allecon, the largest town in the Orne region of Normandy. It was a very nice town with a nice church and some lovely cobbled lanes and buildings. We spent a very pleasant hour or so wandering around.
Hotel de Ville
Chateau Des Ducs, old town castle,now a prison. Was used by Nazi troops during WWII.
Eglise Notre Dame
From there we headed to St Ceneri De Genai, which is on the 100 prettiest villages of France list. Pretty it certainly is. Apparently the village dates from the 7th century, when an Italian called Ceneri decided to settle there, having witnessed a miracle, the town soon attracted a group of disciples who constructed a monastery on the site (destroyed by the vikings in the early 10th century). We wandered around the town for over an hour. We spent some time in the 11th century church while it was raining. There was also a tiny 15th Century chapel in the village.
The Chapel at St Ceneri
From there we headed back home. In the evening we headed out to a vegetarian restaurant which had been recommended to us by Florence and Jean (our hosts at Le Ferme de Florence), Le Maison Vert, in Ticheville. It was absolutely superb. The best meal we have had in a while. John leaves Perth today at 10.30, and I should see him tomorrow. Very exciting.
The vegetable gardens at Ticheville
Isn't St Ceneri lovely and the chapel is set so peacefully by the river. We only discovered the village because of a vintage postcard of what looked like a shed in a field! Postcard here http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-many-legends-of-saint-ceneri-le-gerei/
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays!