Awaiting Your Return From Shore |
Situated at
the mouth of the Rance River, Saint Malo is one of the prime tourist
destinations in Brittany. In the 17th and 18th centuries this Channel port
was already of great importance for merchant ships and government-sanctioned
pirates, more politely known as privateers.
Saint Malo was the home of the famous explorer Jacques Cartier who sailed
from here to explore and colonize Canada. Today visitors flock to Saint Malo
to experience the unique "intra-muros" (meaning within the walls) streets of
the old citadel. Much of the old town’s appearance is due to faithful
reconstruction, necessary after heavy bombings that almost totally destroyed
Saint Malo in 1944. Only the ramparts withstood the ravages of war and are
original for the most part.
Exploration of the old town should include the Saint Vincent Cathedral,
noted for its medieval and modern stained glass windows. Another highlight
is the museum in the Château de Saint Malo. Exhibits illustrate the city's
most prosperous time during its heydays of piracy, colonialism and slave
trading. Various staircases allow access to the ramparts, affording great
views over the roof tops and the harbor. Photos mounted along the walls give
an idea what the city looked like after the fighting in 1944.
Saint Malo also serves as a gateway for excursions to the legendary Mont
Saint Michel, about an hour’s drive away. Crowning the mount's summit is the
Abbey of Mont Saint Michel with its ensemble of buildings soaring high above
the sea. This is one of the country's most spectacular monuments. As amazing
as the abbey itself are the extraordinary tide variations that leave the
mount to look out on stretches of bare sand at low tide, while the same
expanse of land is totally submerged during high tide.
About 25 miles south of Saint Malo is the medieval town of Dinan. Once
totally surrounded by ramparts, 14 towers and a good part of the walls are
still standing, encircling beautiful 15th-century timbered houses. |
Awaiting Your Return
From Shore |
Complimentary
Spirits Await |
Return to Your
Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure |
Entertainment
and Dancing Await You |