Day 15 - June 19 - Walking Paimpol

Founded in 1202. That's what Wikipedia says about the Abbaye de Beaufort. The remains of this old Abbey have been beautifully preserved, and it now is restored for walking tours and art exhibits. We had perfect weather for walking and enjoying both the art and the history. 

We had our picnic lunch on the lawn in front, and the little cafe was decorated with handmade hot air balloons and carved birds. All the food was local and "Bio".   

The first art exhibit was in the Cloister, "designed for spiritual refreshment and quiet contemplation". The exhibit, The Nomadic Tribe, are made of pottery, each unique in its design and character.  The collection (tribe) has traveled since 2017 to different installations and events.  

https://gitedelapoterie.fr/tribu-nomade/

From this website: "She returned to the abbey cloister on May 1st and throughout the season she will play hide and seek with visitors. "

It was fantastic. 

We were able to wander through the ruins and see the Abbey Church, the Refectory, the Kitchen, the walled garden (where they still grow herbs), and then another art installation in the Sacristy.  This was sculpture, made of chain link.  Very surreal. Like ghosts floating about. 

The final exhibit was just being installed which meant we got to speak to the artist. She makes hooked wall hangings of images. She is working on a satellite image of the property of the Abbey (including the sea and the seashore and surrounding gardens and woods). She is using wool from local sheep and dyes from local vegetation. Seriously.  Talk about a labour of love. We just got to see the dyes tested on cotton, but she explained and showed us the rest of the tools.  

From the Abbey there is a view to the sea, and to the many amazing trees and flowers. 

On our walk back we enjoyed the sea, the wind, the sun and the amazing plant life here. I think the lack of extreme heat and cold allows the plants to remain super healthy, and of course, we know they get plenty of rain. But seriously, they are so big and healthy. 

Amazing front yard meadow. 

And check out this hedge. 

We had hoped to go to Isle de Brehat but the ferry was too far away (7km) and we just couldn't bring ourselves to get on our bikes. So we walked and walked and enjoyed the good weather and the charming Port of Paimpol. 

And the Boulangerie 😉

We have had a lovely rest and have dried out at this impressive Bed & Breakfast, Saint Michel. 

The third storey walk up (see arrow) is our room. Lovely view, great breeze, but tiny circular wooden stair case is a bit of a challenge. 

Cheers to the local cider. 

Strava recorded steps not pedal strokes today. A nice change.

Thanks for coming along to the Abbey and the art with us!