So this is my last day here in St Brevin. I spent in relaxing and reading on the beach. The weather has been quite shifty during my stay, so I was lucky it was really great today. Poor little Twingo has been forgotten, and is all sad and bored on the parking lot… They should have picked him up at 09:00, but never came. I bet he is standing out there thinking “this would never happen to the big expensive cars! hrmf!”
Today there was a market here close to the hotel. I stocked up on caramel, homemade by Sophie Gariou and her husband in Nantes. In about a month one should be able to purchase the “Karamel au beurre salé de Bretagne” online at www.labretagneenboite.com (the website isn´t working yet) I was told. They had the most delicious flavors mixed into the creamy caramel. Café, vanilla, apple, dark chocolate and more. Mmm… I bought 4 small jars with different flavors and a bigger one with “café”. They said to use it on for instance crepes, ice cream and for glacing fruit. Yum! Can´t wait!
Both in Saint Brevin and Pornic I noticed a couple of stores selling flowers (fake and real) for funerals. The windows are massively decorated. It caught my attention I guess, since I´m not used to big bright colorful shop windows, advertising accessories for funerals. Maybe we´re just a little more uptight about death in the North. They make good photos though.
There is not much going on in Saint Brevin, but it is a good starting point for traveling around the area of Loire-Atlantique. It is quiet and easy, without much tourist hazzle.
On my little walk from the sea front to the town center of Saint Brevin I took some pictures of the local homes. The houses are very cute and each house has its own personality. It is a tradition that they name their houses, and put up a sign on the facade. Some come up with names like Pink Floyd and Mad Jac, but mostly there are beautiful french names like Les Fleurs and Marinette, trés belle…
I´m in Saint Brevin at the Atlantic Coast of France enjoying the holiday to the full. So far France has been a pleasurable experience. The people are much friendlier than I expected, helpful and smiling. My hotel is a Casino Hotel right on the beach. I know “casino” sounds kind of tacky, but it really isn´t that bad. It is build in 2005, so everything is quite new and clean. The people at the reception go out of their way to help and guide me, because nothing here is ever written in English (!). I am desperately looking up every word in the menu in the restaurant, and I feel kind of silly not understanding a word people say to me, except merci, bonjour etc. I guess the french I had in the 7th grade didn´t really pay off…
The beach is great. It´s broad and long, and with very few people, not crowded at all! I just love it when you can find a peaceful spot to lie down, without suddenly being a part of some family spreading out all of their beach like possessions. The constant breeze is lovely and keeps you from getting sticky and sweaty. The first day it was a bit on the cool side though.
Today they brought a car around from Europcar. A little red Twingo! It is mine for three whole days. I am so looking forward to cruising around in it!
Kiting is a big thing here. Looks like so much fun! Next time I´m going here for kiting lessons!
