France 2026—May 9-16, Exploring Cancale and the Coast

May 11th—the Emerald Coast and St. Malo

We took the Emerald Coast Avenue out of Cancale today to St. Malo. Our goal was to "get lost" (our code for wander) along the coastal road and then inside the walled medieval town of St. Malo.

We stopped a few kilometers north of Cancale. As you can see the Brittany coastline is stunning.

We parked about a mile from St. Malo's medieval town center and strolled along the promenade, enjoying the semi-warmish breeze.

St. Malo and its walled medieval old town.

This is a private residence.

It takes all kinds.

One of many fortifications inside St. Malo's walls.

This shop was our first stop.

The seagull was keeping a sharp eye out for 

gallette crumbs.

This gallette shop is on the corner the seagull had staked out.

St. Vincent Cathedral is on this square and its
history ranges from the 12th-20th centuries, but
a hermitage was founded on the site as far back
as the 6th century.

Just outside the cathedral we saw these clown cars, for want

of a better description, parked nearby.

The picture to the left is a partial view of the plaque about the "Enclosure of Resistance". This is a must read before looking at the memorial pictured below.

We used this portal to exit St. Malo, because 
it opened to the harbor.

Pedestrian walkway through the wall
is to the left and in the background is
the vehicle exit.

Looking back at the east portal facing the harbor.

The Scotch Less Peel.

Back in Cancale, we strolled around the main square to get a picture of St. Meen, a 19th century church built in the Neo-Gothic style. In front of the small park in the middle of Cancale's town square is a fountain of two oyster washers.

A succinct description of the church and fountain
can be read below.

The Fontaine des laveuses d'huitres is a fountain with a bronze statue by the sculptor Jean Fréour, which pays tribute to the women of Cancale who washed oysters at the beginning of the 20th century, before mechanization. The fountain is located in the square of the Saint-Méen church, in the center of Cancale, a city famous for its oyster production. The Saint-Méen church is a neo-Gothic building dating from the 19th century, dedicated to Saint Méen, a Breton monk who is said to have founded Cancale in the 6th century. (Willem VS, https://www.komoot.com/highlight/475853)

Looking up the road from the house.

Home at last.

After walking almost 6 miles today, we were happy to get back
home and have lunch on the back deck overlooking the garden.

Can't go wrong with three different cheeses, dry
sausage all purchased at the Sunday market, 
olives, bread (of course), assorted nuts, and 
cheese bops. The beer was Belgian.

Oh, and besides the garden there's this other site
just across the bay. We'll be staying overnight
at Mont Saint Michel in five days.