C'est Ma Vie

I was expecting to go to the land of the Ch’tis this weekend, but a surprise began to unfold rigt in front of my eyes when I saw that we passed the exit to Lille and headed towards Caen instead. We went to visit some great cities with great food and breathtaking scenery. Caen wasn’t our destination since we have been there the last time but we headed towards Trouville instead – northeast of Basse-Normandie and found a lot of tourists (majority from Paris) and enjoyed the nice weather. I couldn’t believe that there was one point wherein the temperature was 20 degrees celsius!

Anyhoo, according to the French, the stretch of coast from Trouville to Cabourg is known as the riviera of Normadie – with Trouville being “Nice” and Deauville as “Cannes” (village beside Trouville).  I will talk about Deaville next time – I haven’t been to the south yet so I have no comparison – but the place kinda reminded me of Beverly Hills.

Trouville

I find the little streets  of Trouville very charming. I saw a lot of art shops and jewelry shop (mostly very cool costume jewelry made of different colored stones), bookstores, coffee shops that are so typically French, ready to wear clothing boutiques, and of course, seafood restaurants.

Little streets of Treauville

Trouville is also famous for its seafood market. I was almost salivating when we passed by – fresh seafood all over! If only our hotel had a small kitchen, I would’ve bought and cooked these delish goodies myself. If we come back next time or come to another place like this – I will bring an ice box and buy a big, live lobster and some crabs.

Coquille Saint Jacques

Fish

Had one of these for lunch today in a seafood restaurant – it was full of crab fat – very sinful and addictive. It was very challenging to eat “tourteau mayonnaise”. I thought at first that this was turtle (when I read the menu). I got tourteau (crab) and tortue (turtle) confused.

Crab

We took a walk around and found the houses very colombage and enchanting.

Houses of Trouville

This area reminds me of Talented Mr. Ripley (yeah – coz Jude Law was always going around Italy by boat).

Harbor Trouville

Trouville was truly beguiling. This is the last photo I took before heading to our next village destination – Deauville. I would guess these guys are fishermen he he.

Trouville fishermen