May 2 Gien

The weather looked iffy today so we decided to visit a nearby town called Gien which has a famous china manufacture called Faiencerie de Gien (www.gien.com). 

Here are a few shots from Gien (47°41'06.9"N, 2°37'49.7"E).  The last one of Cindy on the stairs with pink apple blossoms falling around her reminded us of Thunder Bay's weather yesterday, although there it wasn't pink blossoms but rather snow in May!

We also walked around the town a bit then returned to St Benoit sur Loire (see April 23) to revisit the cathedral and visit the adjacent shop run by the monks.  The first time we went there, a service was on so we couldn't explore much and the shop was closed, althought the Gregorian chanting was amazing in the cathedral.  This time I got down into the crypt where a brass box is on display and is reported to contain the remains of St. Benedict who founded the Benedictine Order.  The Benedictines also make one of my favourite liqueurs, B&B.

(47°48'34.5"N, 2°18'20.8"E)

This brass box is reported to contain the remains of St. Benedict.  If you click the photo to enlarge it, you may be able to make out the inscription in the plaque beneath the box.  It says "Reliques de Saint Benoit, 480-547".