Traveling in France #1 (Part 5 of 6)

Our trip to Normandy continues with a visit to the picturesque seaport St. Malo, in nearby Brittany.

The town was founded more than 2,000 years ago and has a colorful history.  After the Roman era, there was an influx of Celtic Britons fleeing England.  So, the area has a unique culture--language, music and food.  Over the centuries, the town (pictured below) was fortified against attack.  

St. Malo has a rich seafaring history.  Privateers, acting for the French king, attacked and seized cargo from ships sailing under flags of countries warring with France.  So, the sailors from St. Malo were highly skilled and some became extremely wealthy as a result.  

In the harbor of St. Malo, the Etoile du Roy (the King's Star), a replica of an 18th English ship   

One of St. Malo's favorite sons is sailor, explorer Jacques Cartier who claimed Canada for France in the 16th century.

Another favorite son was privateer Robert Surcouf (pictured below).  He was known for capturing many British ships.  After Surcouf captured one ship, a British officer told him, "You French fight for money while we fight for honour." Surcouf replied, "Each of us fights for what he lacks most."

(The statue of Surcouf is pointing at England)

Another favorite son was Chateaubriand, an influential French writer.  Chateaubriand was also a foodie.  Supposedly, his personal chef created the Chateaubriand steak for him.  

St, Malo is home to a lovely 12th century cathedral, the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent-de-Saragosse de Saint-Malo.  The church, built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles, was partially destroyed during WWII and was eventually rebuilt.  

The blessing of Jacques Cartier

The bronze altar and lecterns from 1991 are especially interesting.

We walked along the walls of the town and enjoyed some beautiful seascapes.

The resort town pictured above, Dinard, is located on the harbor opposite St. Malo. 
Pablo Picasso visited and painted there in the 1920's.

The photo below depicts something odd in the water.  If you look closely, you can see a diving platform.  

It turns out that the diving platform is part of tidal pool.  At low tide, the water recedes far from the beach.  So, a pool was installed.  Check it out.

  

We strolled around the town and enjoyed some shopping and local cuisine.

It was a lovely day in St. Malo.  Thankfully, no pirates harassed us.

Next Up:  Mont. St. Michel