St Malo -- A Walled City | Correr Es Mi Destino

St Malo — A Walled City

By Zhu • March 16, 2008

Earlier this week, we decided to take a trip to Saint Malo, in the heart of Brittany. This relatively small city has a particularity: a seaward fortress since the Middle Ages, St Malo still has a 1.8 km wall circling the city. Designed by Vauban, Louis XIV’s military engineer, the wall offers a great view of the city and the harbor.

The old “Château de St Malo” (castle of the city) is now the City Hall. The small and narrow streets are typical of France… yes, parking is difficult!

Saint Malo was the birthplace of Jacques Cartier, who discovered Canada, and the city is also famous for its… pirates. Growing up by the sea and close to major trade routes can do that do you I guess!

St Malo has the highest tides in France… it’s quite impressive! A 14 meters difference between low tide and high tide is common.

Because it was still low-season, the city was very quiet and relaxing. We walked on the wall around the city, then on the beach, before feasting on a seafood dinner… and before heading to Rennes, capital of Brittany, the following day.

Filed under: Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys
Tagged: Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys, France, Snapshots

About the Author

Zhu

French woman in English Canada. Occasionally: speaks Mandarin or Spanish, bitches about the Canadian weather, writes left-wing rants, gives test to her students so that she can read the paper and have breakfast, speaks of cultural difference or goes backpacking across the world. And enjoys Canada as her new home.

18 Responses to “ St Malo — A Walled City ”

Spyder Mar 16th, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Sounds like you are having a great time.

Spyder’s last blog post..I rule my little World!
Jessica Mar 16th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

I love your photo tours! Mmm, Brittany seafood! I’d love to visit and I’d love to try crepes there, too.
Cool face in the sand. I love that shot!

Jessica’s last blog post..Delectable Weekend Dinners
Linguist-in-Waiting Mar 16th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

Thanks again for the pictures. They provide your readers with a window to places we cannot see for ourselves.

I like your sand etching. I find it amazing that I still can see your artistic style even if you have a different medium. I find it very very similar to the art work I find in your site.

Linguist-in-Waiting’s last blog post..LIW Presents a Poster and Encounters a Dilemma
shionge Mar 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Hey Zhu, thank you for the birthday wishes, truly appreciate ti

This place is so rich in culture and what a nice relaxing day to spend time with your love ones too

Thank you for sharing.
Ghosty Mar 17th, 2008 at 6:21 am

Fascinating pictures. A waled city, that’s something I would have enjoyed seeing!

Ghosty’s last blog post..Lack of Motivation

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