These photos bring a lot of joy to me. They were taken at the Abbaye Val Notre-Dame monastery in the fall of 2022. I spent a joyful day with my mother, whom I hadn’t seen in a very long time. Aside from the stunning natural beauty, the shop at the monastery was amazing! The staff prepared delicious homemade chocolate and served some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. (Yes, I’m a huge coffee enthusiast.) They also sold fresh vegetables and exceptional hand-picked mushrooms.

This is one of the few places I feel compelled to return to every year. There’s something truly special about it. Next year, I hope to go hiking on the trails with my mother. We both love nature, and these moments help us bond even more.