Saint Malo, Brittany FRANCE

The history of Saint Malo goes back to Medieval times, and although it has suffered two devastating fires (in 1661 and during WWII, August 1944), it maintains much of its original charm. The town was rebuilt most recently after WWII, in the 1950s & 60s, faithful to its early design and architecture. Our group, led by our Accent tour guide, Mirek, viewed the old town with a walk around its charming walls. 

This little guy was just hanging-out, enjoying the sun. I don't think he truly appreciatted the beauty of his surroundings.

The writer Chateaubriand is one of the most famous people to have come from this city. He chose to be buried in an unmarked grave on the small island just off of the coast, which is accessible by foot during low tide (you can see the island below, on the right). Speaking of which, the tides here (as in the Mont Saint Michel) are dramatic. Here is a salt-water pool with a high-dive platform. The water is replaced in this pool twice each day with the tide alone.

Here is the same pool at high tide. You can just make out the rim of the pool under water!

In addition to its historic charm, this town is a lovely place to spend a day by the sea -- the English Channel, that is. 

In its early history, privateers operated out of Saint Malo. The difference between privateers and pirates, I learned, is that privateers were working for their king/country, stealing from the ships of other countries. Pirates were independent agents, theives with no protection from a government. Privateers could actually receive a title and retire comfortably, if they lived long enough!

Still a thriving port city, there is a very large marina just outside the city's Medieval walls. Much of France's lumber is shipped through this port.

Kristina, Jessica, Nicole, Megan and Robert

Rebecca, Iris and Dara

Above: One of the few remaining original buildings. This is reputed to be one of the places where Anne of Britagne had lived. The town was originally part of Britain, but when it looked like France would take it over, Anne agreed to marry the French King, Charles VIII in 1491 in order to preserve the  autonomy of Brittany within the kingdom of France. When the king died, she married the next heir to the French throne (as had been in her marriage contract) and they proceeded to have several children.