Real Blue｜La Mère Poulard, Stay Report

La Mère Poulard

Stay Report

October 2021

Posted by AO/あお

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About this Stay

Mont Saint-Michel, one of France’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is located in the Bay of Saint-Malo in western France.

Home to a historic Christian abbey, it attracts visitors from all over the world.

Near the entrance to Mont Saint-Michel, there is a hotel that also operates a famous restaurant known for its soufflé omelet, which has been served to pilgrims since 1888. I stayed at this hotel during my visit.

In the 1880s, Annette Poulard, who ran an inn with her husband, began serving large, fluffy omelets to pilgrims visiting Mont Saint-Michel. The hotel has continued operating this renowned omelet restaurant for over 130 years.

After checking in at the reception near the restaurant entrance, guests stay in rooms located in separate buildings.

During my stay, I visited the restaurant three times—for dinner, breakfast the next morning, and lunch. On my third visit at lunchtime, I ordered the famous omelet set.

Hotel Exterior & Surroundings

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Hotel Exterior & Surroundings

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Mont-Saint-Michel

This is the entrance to the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Once you go inside, you will find a shopping street where La Mère Poulard’s hotel and famous omelette restaurant are located.

Streets Around the Hotel

The streets around the hotel are lined with shops like this.

If you walk up these narrow lanes, you will reach the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Hotel Entrance

This is the entrance to the omelette restaurant and the hotel.

It is located not far after entering the Mont-Saint-Michel complex.

The restaurant displaying a photo of Madame Poulard, who created the famous omelette, is on one side, and next to it is a small reception area for the hotel.

Hotel & Restaurant Entrance

This is the entrance to both the hotel and the omelette restaurant.

The small door on the right with the red “H” sign marks the entrance to the hotel reception.

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Hotel

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Reception

This is the view inside from the hotel reception.

The omelette restaurant is located further inside.

Staircase to the Hotel

This staircase leads to the hotel rooms.

After checking in at the reception next to the restaurant, you go up these stairs to reach your room.

The walls are covered with photos of famous visitors, including politicians and actors who have stayed here.

Pathway to the Guest Rooms

To reach the guest rooms, you go up to the second floor from the reception on the ground floor and then step outside.

You walk along this balcony-like passageway to reach rooms located in a separate annex-style building.

Guest Room (Bed)

This is the bed in the guest room.

Guest Room (Bathroom)

This is the bathroom.

View from the Room (1)

This is the view from the guest room.

Beyond the buildings, you can already see the sea.

The tidal range here is said to reach as much as 15 meters.

View from the Room (2)

This is another view from the guest room.

Morning View from the Room

This is the morning view from the guest room.

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Dinner

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Copper Pans

Before the restaurant opens for dinner at 6:30 p.m., you can see the omelette kitchen from outside.

There are many copper pans used for cooking omelettes. Copper has excellent thermal conductivity, allowing heat to spread evenly across the pan, which helps prevent uneven cooking or burning.

Guests Waiting for Opening

These are guests waiting for the restaurant to open before dinner.

Opening Time

The restaurant has opened. At the tables, the chefs begin whisking eggs.

The omelette-making process is open for guests to watch.

Omelette Kitchen

This is the kitchen where the omelettes are made.

Eggs are whisked at the table in the front, and the omelettes are likely cooked in the wood-fired oven at the back.

Preparing the Omelettes

The eggs for the omelettes are being whisked.

Table

We entered the restaurant and sat down for dinner.

Interior

The interior of the restaurant incorporates natural rock walls, creating a unique atmosphere.

Champagne

This is the champagne we ordered, a brand called IRROY.

It is not commonly seen in Japan. The label on the neck indicates the house was founded in 1820.

Champagne in a Wine Glass

We enjoyed champagne with bread.

It was generously poured into a wine glass. In Japan, champagne is often served in narrow flutes with a small amount, but in France it seems to be enjoyed more casually.

Bread and Appetizer

We had champagne along with a complimentary appetizer served to those who ordered champagne.

Salad

This is the salad.

Main Dish

This is the main dish I ordered, a traditional French home-style dish made with organ meats.

Dessert

This is the dessert from the dinner course.

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Breakfast

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Breakfast

This is the breakfast buffet area the next morning.

Breakfast Buffet

This is a typical Western-style breakfast. While the variety is not extensive, it includes the essentials.

• Coffee
• Cereal
• Bread selection
• Two kinds of juice
• Ham and bacon
• Scrambled eggs
• Cheese

Breakfast Plate

This is the breakfast I had. It’s quite typical of a standard European hotel breakfast.

• Scrambled eggs and cheese
• Salami, ham, prosciutto
• Four types of bread
• Cereal and yogurt
• Coffee and orange juice

Photos of Famous Visitors

Displayed in the breakfast area are many photos and autographs of famous visitors who have been here.

Japanese Diplomat

I noticed a Japanese visitor and took a photo.

The name reads Sueyoshi Okamoto, who stayed here in July 1956 and wrote that he had a pleasant visit.

(Editor’s note)
Sueyoshi Okamoto (1897–1967), a Japanese diplomat who was serving as Ambassador to the Netherlands at the time of his visit.

Lounge Area

This is a lounge area on the second floor of the hotel, accessible via stairs from the restaurant.

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Lunch

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Restaurant Reception

The next day, we returned for lunch to try the famous omelette, since we hadn’t ordered it the previous evening.

The sign displays the restaurant name, its founding year “1888,” and a message in multiple languages including French, English, Italian, and Japanese asking guests to wait to be seated.

Omelette Kitchen

This is the kitchen. There are many eggs and plenty of butter stored in small barrels.

Copper pans for cooking omelettes line the walls.

Table Setting

This is the table setting.

Omelette

This is the signature soufflé omelette. It is very light and fluffy.

It is not sweet, but slightly salty and delicious.

It was served with a large piece of salmon and buttered potatoes on the side.