Tomorrow we head home for a week before we leave for the States (and I go to BlogHer). It will be a frenzy of laundry and weeding and re-packing and all that, but at least we have a busy and fun summer, which – except for last year – has not been the case.
I wanted to share one last Breton tourist site, and that is St Malo. A few of you mentioned it in the comments on Dinard, so the subject seems especially relevant. St Malo (pronounced Sahn Mah-lo) is a walled city that was built in the Middle Ages, and has a convoluted history, which includes piracy. It was even an independent country at one time. Now it’s all about tourism.
Let’s take an outside look at the walls.
And now a peek from the inside.
You’ve got your old parts
and you’ve got your new.
Actually, St Malo was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, and the architect my mother-in-law worked for was the one who rebuilt the façade.
There are tons of places to shop
and tons of places to eat.
There is indoor entertainment
and outdoor entertainment … 
outdoor seating in all kinds of weather.
You find your share of tourist attractions
and galettes (salty crêpes) (recipe here)
and personalized bowls with a Breton design.
Like every other city in France, it has its own Town Hall. Careful – a Hotel de Ville is not a place to stay, but rather a Town Hall, called the “Mairie” in French. Its elegance is in direct proportion to the wealth of the city, I might add.
Matthieu and I get, like, one date a year and it’s usually in St Malo.
We eat out
(this year we chose a salon de thé, which had a small dinner menu but a cozy setting).
We climb the walls and direct our eyes as far as they can see.
We breathe in the history.
We feel the wind on our faces and make each other laugh.
And we watch the sun set. I’d follow this guy anywhere.
It’s no wonder I love St Malo.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if you did too.
I love St Malo… it’s one of my favourite places in the whole world. That said, I love Essaouira in Morocco for the same reason – there’s something wondeful about ramparts and fishing villages.
Emma recently posted…Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
Now I have to go there. One of my best friends is Moroccan so I’ll have to get her to take me.
Sigh…I want to go to there.
Katie Sluiter recently posted…The Way You Are Now {Charlie age 16 months}
That blouse in the photo is stunning. I squeeed out loud when I read the part about BlogHer.
Jennifer recently posted…Summer Loving {Creative Writing}
I have a feeling we’re going to be joined at the hip. 😉
Beautiful! I can’t imagine anyone not liking it or wanting to go there.
I am looking forward to meeting you at BlogHer!!
Jackie recently posted…Monday Menu – Super Simple Jello Salad
Me too Jackie!
I want that blouse and i love that picture of you…..so windswept and natural……..what a gorgeous summer!!!………
Thanks Melissa!
The French have such sophisticated stuff don’t they?
How beautiful…and dare I say, romantic? I want to be there, too. Much congratulations on BlogHer! Squee!!
Again, we’ll miss you guys when you’re in the States (we must time our individual visits to NY much better!). Matt misses his old roomie and of course, I miss you.
Enjoy rest of vacation and safe travels!
Melanie recently posted…Spring
I know – we totally need to time that one better. 🙂
Our once-a-year dates involve pizza on Perry Street, so yeah, I’m jealous!! Beautiful.
anymommy recently posted…Ripping off the bandaid
Okkkkie doke, now I need to travel. (LOVE the pic of you, you look so happy!!)
Keely recently posted…Cold Cereal Would’ve Been Faster.
Heeeee 🙂
And just like that Saint Malo got n°1 on my ‘things I MUST do in Brittany’ list. Right next to Carnac and Mont St.Michel….
We’ll be in Plouguin btw, near Ploudalmazeau.
Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes recently posted…When Special Need Kids have Kids of their own…
I don’t know the area you’re staying in, and I’ve not heard of Carnac either (or maybe it sounds vaguely familiar). Love Mont St Michel, though! Neither that nor St Malo is great for beaches (non-existent for Mont St Michel and small for St Malo) but they’re very good for history.
I want to join you next year. xoxo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted…Me Myself And I #girlsaretrippin
Those are amazing photos and a great description. I almost felt like I was there with you. It’s nice to learn a bit more about where my friend Gab is from!
Alexa (Kat) recently posted…Come Get Your Sverve On!
I miss France so much!!
Love St. Malo and the crepes in Bretagne are the best!
Wish I could attend BlogHer, but we have to be in NY in late Aug.
Carole recently posted…Vintage Signage
I’ve said this before, but between you and my parents…
At least you’re home now and they get home on Sat night so I can stop being inundated with such gorgeous photos of a place I can’t go right now. 😉
I kid. 😉
Laura recently posted…In Limbo
—I’d be GIGANTIC if I lived in France because I’d eat pastry all day long 🙂
You’re going to BlogHer? HOW fun. Get lots of photos Xxx
My Inner Chick recently posted…Just For The Pure Fun Of It
I love your little secret smile in the pic – you look so happy!
And why wouldn’t you be? St Malo looks like heaven! One date a year? Looks like you picked a good place for it.
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