Lily is visiting so I have been busy showing her my new world. For the most part I think she likes it. She has been charmed by the sweet animals we encounter on our morning walks, the stone villages and the delicious food. We decided to head to Pontmain on Wednesday because the sun was shining and we were told it was best to visit the Cathedral in the sunshine to most appreciate the stained glass.

Pontmain is a little village about 10 km from St. Denis de Gastines. Much like my town, there is a restaurant or two, boulangerie, and a cathedral. This, however, is some kind of cathedral. It is massive and beautiful. It was built to commemorate the sighting of the Virgin Mary which occurred there on January 17, 187

As the story goes, some young children were walking in a pasture in the evening when the Virgin Mary appeared to them in the sky. After some controversy, the Bishop Casimir Wicart of Laval acknowledged the apparition:

“We judge that the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God truly appeared, on January 17, 1871, to Eugène Barbedette, Joseph Barbedette, Françoise Richer and Jeanne-Marie Lebossé, in the hamlet of Pontmain. ”

Soon after the investigation and confirmation, the building of the Cathedral commenced. The end product is beautiful. Massive stained glass windows with strong accents of blue give the affect of looking through a kaleidoscope. The vaulted ceiling is a marvel of engineering. Lily and I wandered through and lit candles. It was beautiful and so still.

Back out in the sunshine, we took a few pictures and then headed to Fougères for a quick visit. By the time we got there, we were getting rained on but made our way into a few different clothing shops that kept us entertained.

We went back home, and I made Lily a fire to warm her up and a home cooked meal which she really appreciated. She likes the University food but says she misses my cooking. Steak, risotto, and salad. Yum.