Saint-Malo
Neither french nor breton, but a corsair
am i !
Such is the motto of St. Malo?
History - Visits
 |
The fortified city
of St. Malo dominates the harbor of the Rance
estuary.
The foundations of the city were laid by hermits
in the 4th century.
This city was built on a promontory composed of schist and granite.
St. Malo is said to be "like Venice, but
without the doges (Venetian magistrates)".
Throughout history, it has been known for its insularity and independent
spirit.
As a matter of fact, St. Malo became the first Republic of France
in 1590.
|
the
land of famous sailors and corsairs
|
 |
DUGUAY TROUIN (1673-1736)
SURCOUF (1773-1826)
were
two famous corsairs from St. Malo who inflicted significant
losses on the Dutch, the Spanish and the English.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, these sailors received from the King a
special license to pirate allowing them
to attack ships without fear of being hanged from the highest mast.
JACQUES CARTIER (1491-1557)
was commissioned by King Francis I in 1534 to find the Northwest Passage
to China, thought to be a trade route by water across the United
States or Canada. In fact,
he discovered the St. Lawrence river and Canada, but neither
the passage nor gold. Cartier named the country after a word taken from
the Huron Indian language meaning "camp."
In St. Malo, nearly as many ships were fitted out for piracy as for legitimate
trade with the East Indian Company.
St. Malo was also the land of fishermen.
Its fishing boats were nicknamed "Terra-Neuvas,"
or Newfoundlanders, after the far-away coast they sailed to in order to
fish for cod. These arduous expeditions usually lasted six months.
Today, ferry-boats departing for England, Ireland or to the Channel islands
have largely replaced fishing traffic.
 |
St. Malo boasts France's largest home port for pleasure boating and for
sailing competitions.
The visitor will also discover sailing schools and boat rental facilities.
CHATEAUBRIAND (1768-1848) and LAMENNAIS (1782-1854)
the most famous of France's romantic-period writers, lived in St. Malo.
Walking in Saint-Malo
St. Malo is a fortified city. Its city walls are a must visit.
Their construction started in the 12th century. They were extended and modified in the 18th century.
· Enter the city by the Grande Porte, and head in the direction of the Bastion St. Louis-Philippe. Climb the stairs and walk along the ramparts, which originally protected the houses of St. Malo's most successful ship-owners.
· Proceed to the Tour Bidouane and enjoy the splendid view of the Emerald coast (côte d'Emeraude).
>From the same tower you can discover a number of islands. Looking to your left you will see Harbour island, to your right the Grand Bé and Petit Bé islands, and further out to sea a little to your right, Cézembre island.
Continue on to the Porte de St. Vincent and discover the Fort National.
FORT NATIONAL
It's a 15-minute walk at low tide.
GRAND BE ISLAND
This is a 45-minute walk (round
trip) at low tide.
You can get there via the porte des
Champs-Vauverts. Chateaubriand's tomb is located on the far
side of the island, looking out to sea. The inscription on the tomb
reads roughly, "Here lies a great writer who asked to be buried
where he would hear only the sounds of the wind and the ocean. Passersby,
respect his last wish."
[Other sights and some useful addresses]
[Tourism index] [
Rennet Index]