On June 23, 2023 we visited Saint-Malo for the first time after an early morning excursion to Mont Saint Michael. We loved Saint-Malo with its charming cobbled streets and interesting squares. So, one year later we were looking forward to visiting a second time. On our first go-round the weather could not have been nicer, sunny and warm. Perfect for strolling. Have a look back at June 23, 2023 and the little square where we enjoyed a wonderful mussel lunch.
That was then and this is now, a grey, windy and cloudy day with rain in the offing.
Following lunch and after a tender ride from the Sojourn, we were on our way into this lovely town. It’s not the weather that makes the place, it’s the people and environment. Saint-Malo, on this visit, was still inviting, just in a different way. After all, weather does, notwithstanding what I just wrote, make a difference.
We were in no hurry and, upon arriving at the dock, we walked the same way into the walled city as we did a year ago. But first, how about a couple of photos taken today from our cabin as we lay at anchor off the coast? The first photo is of the area outside the ancient walled city, perhaps of Saint Servan. And the second photo shows the ramparts and what lies within. Our tender dock is to the right of the lighthouse in picture 2.
An interesting fact, at least to me, is that the harbor has electric generators installed in such a fashion as to work with the tidal flow which, in Saint-Malo, is significant. According to my research, at maximum tidal flow 15,000 cubic meters of water per second flow through the system producing enough power to provide current to 200,000 households.
Once inside, I grabbed my camera, I’m using my iPhone 14 Pro on this trip, and started snapping away. It’s interesting to me that all of us were experiencing the same weather and temperatures but some people were dressed in tee shirts and others were in sweaters and heavy jackets.
I do so like roofs and chimneys and those in Saint-Malo are no exception.
When I began this post I started with a photo from a year ago. Here is the same square on July 8, 2024. As you can see, not much has changed. It’s just not sunny and the flowers are different.
I thought this was an interesting scene so I snapped it. I like the depth it provides, the graffiti on the walls and the multiple steps. And, it seems to accurately represent many of the little side streets inside the ramparts.
As on our prior visit, we slowly made our way to the Saint-Vincent Cathedral. Here is a photo of the exterior with the tower, a buttress and some gargoyle water spouts.
We came across this fellow as we went. The red on his bill is curious and its as though he is looking right at me.
Once inside, I took this shot and a couple more of the rose window which was reconstructed after World War II. By-the-way, Saint-Malo suffered greatly during the war from Allied bombing and was substantially rebuilt between 1947 and 1972 so that the city within the ramparts one visits today is almost entirely new. What a wonderful job and a monumental undertaking. I hope you enjoy my “study” of Saint-Vincent’s rose window.
A photo of graceful arches and the various lights reflected.
The last time we were here I took this photo of the Madonna and her son.
Interesting how I saw things differently this time. Here is this year’s offering. It’s a matter of perspective; perhaps the direction I walked in. Who knows. I like them both.
On our way back to the tender and the Sojourn we came across this shop with its boots’ decor.
And now, a closer look at the boots.
As we walked, we looked over the ramparts at the beach beyond. Two times in Saint-Malo, two different perspectives. I hope you enjoyed this visit as much as we did.
Now, look beyond the ramparts, . . .
. . . and, before we are back to the tender look beyond the ramparts one more time. Makes me think what it must have been in 1943 or 44 when the Allies liberated Saint-Malo.
Good afternoon Saint-Malo but not goodbye.