Photo mash-up #43

Today's theme will be: Brittany flowers!

Happy flowers day!

Hydrangeas

How could I visit Brittany and not take pictures of its infamous hydrangeas, which you can find at almost every place? 

Shades of blue near Paimpol

Hydrangea bushes near Beauport

GR34 path

The Sentier des Douaniers (also more recently referred to as the GR34 way) is an old path along the coast, very well preserved and maintained in Brittany. It was used in the past by coastguards to watch the sea shore and defend against smugglers. 

Today, it is a wonderful path along the coast where you can have a breathtaking view on the sea, while discovering beautiful flowers and plants on the way. 

Thin fence by the Pointe de Guilben

Soft seaside path towards Pointe de Guilben

View on the sea and the Chapelle de la Sainte-Trinité

Bréhat islands

As I was frequently reminded during my trip, the island of Bréhat is in fact not one island, but a full archipelago of islands, where the main island is the one most often visited. The main island itself is itself split into a southern and a northern part, with a very thin bridge linking both parts.

Here are a few pictures of the north of the main island, which I found very impressive due to its rugged coastline and the view on the never-ending sea... 

A sea of rocks in the north of the main Bréhat island

Islands of Bréhat at low tide

Croix De Maudez on Bréhat

Beauport abbey

These are the ruins of an old abbaye by the seaside - from the first glance at its magnificent gothic stone walls and its ancient rooms (which now stand in the open air), the emotion was truly unforgettable... 

The Abbaye of Beauport

Ancient graves of husband and wife in Beauport

Flying buttress details in the Abbaye of Beauport

Apple trees in the Abbaye de Beauport gardens

Trip to Paimpol

After those long (and rather lonely) months, I had been yearning for the sea... And as soon as I could safely make a trip again, I took the opportunity to visit Paimpol, in northern Brittany. 

This place is just wonderful: I could visit everything simply by walking, and the weather was deliciously warm - just look at this vibrant blue color! 

Turquoise sea from Plouha cliffs

Ferns by the sea near Pointe de Guilben

Sea and island view from the Pointe de Guilben

Fern kingdom near Plouha