Day 4 – Sunshine, History & Alligators!
Wow! What an absolutely amazing final full day we’ve had here in France! It’s hard to believe our trip is nearly over, but today was the perfect way to round it all off. The sun was shining all day, making everything from sightseeing to ice creams that much better!
We started our day at the Bayeux War Cemetery, where we learned about Corporal Sidney Bates, a brave British soldier from Camberwell who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his incredible courage. Despite being shot multiple times, he single-handedly charged the enemy, forcing them to retreat. It was a powerful and emotional visit, especially when we saw how young many of the servicemen and women were. A moment we won’t forget.
Then it was on to the breathtaking Mont Saint-Michel. Even though we’d heard all about it, nothing quite prepared us for how stunning it would be in person. The sun made the sea sparkle and the views from every angle were just incredible. We explored the winding walkways, climbing higher and higher as we soaked in the history and beauty of this magical place. According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Aubert in a dream in the 8th century and told him to build a sanctuary on the rocky island. After three dreams, Aubert finally listened, and here we are centuries later, marvelling at what was built!
We found a quiet spot to enjoy our packed lunches with views that were postcard worthy, before continuing to explore, climbing steep steps and browsing through the many little shops to pick up some souvenirs.
Next up: Alligator Bay! We had so much fun walking through the reptile enclosures and getting up close to turtles, snakes, iguanas, and of course, all kinds of alligators. A highlight was seeing one of the big iguanas feeding, and spotting a super rare Albino Alligator, there are only 40 in the world! Between exhibits, we had a break to run around the playground and cool off with some ice creams, which were definitely well-earned after all the walking.
We ended the day back at the château with a delicious barbecue dinner outside, enjoying the warm evening sunshine. Then came one of the most anticipated activities of the week, the disco! We danced, sang, and made the most of our last night. Plus, we finally got to spend our leftover euros at the tuck shop, with many of us choosing a much-needed milkshake or a sweet treat.
Bonne nuit from Normandy—we can’t wait to share more with you when we’re home!