After arriving at Saint-Malo, we decided to go exploring in the town. Saint-Malo has a reputation as a haven for privateers, as the governor of the city gave out letters of permission for captains of ships that sailed from there to plunder non-French ships and seek refuge there. The tides and the fortifications of the city made it an easy place to defend. As a result, it became a very wealthy town.
Approaching Saint-Malo from the water feels like going back in time. The skyline from the sea is beautiful.
We are approaching the 'sill' at the marina entrance. The sill keeps the water at a minimum depth. The sign shows that the water level right now is still 5.31 metres ABOVE the sill!
Wow, the tides must wildly vary here.
Yes, they do. 9 metre tides. Crazy.
Big tides means every twelve hours it is easy to dry your boat out for a coat of bottom paint.
Here I am.
Street art, too!
Emma tied up to the city wall. Thank goodness for her high freeboard.
Emma is parked right outside the old city gate.
One of the city gates
Tromping around the ramparts of the city fortifications
After being pummelled in World War II, much of the city was rebuilt to a museum-quality example of a 18th century port town. It is gorgeous here.
Statue of Jacques Cartier, one of the first Europeans travel across the Atlantic and start trading with the First Nations of North America
A beach that vanishes twice a day when the tide comes in.
Logs provide additional protection from crashing surf along the seawall. Storms can be frighteningly awesome here.
This is why the logs are there.
Look, the Australian blokes aren't the only ones who like a 'ute.
In France, it is important to read the labels carefully when buying milk.
A view down at one of the beaches outside the ramparts
Same beach, different angle
A beautiful beach that gets well-used. The tide is approaching in this photo, so it is almost empty.
Sunset from the ramparts
The city's emblem, a ferret wearing a cape, in the cobbles. We are on our way to find some dinner.
Interesting fact: Saint-Malo is the only French city that flies their city flag ABOVE the French tricolour. If you ask a resident of the city why this is so, they will likely reply,
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