Saint-Malo, Fortified port city in Brittany, France
Saint-Malo is a walled coastal city in Brittany on the English Channel, surrounded by massive granite fortifications. The narrow lanes of the old town lead to small squares with stone houses, while towers and bastions mark the outline of the historic settlement.
A monastery from the 6th century gave the settlement its name and later developed into a fortified harbor. Privateers operated from here starting in the 16th century and conducted raids against English merchant ships, bringing the city wealth and military importance.
Locals call themselves "Malouins" and maintain a long seafaring tradition that still shows in the restaurants and fish markets today. Fishermen return each morning with fresh catch and sell it directly at the harbor, where visitors experience the daily rhythm of coastal life.
A walk along the city wall takes about an hour and offers views over the sea and surrounding islands. At low tide you can walk to the offshore forts on foot, but watch the tides carefully to avoid being caught by rising water.
The entire old town was rebuilt after World War Two destruction using original techniques and matching materials. Stonemasons used the same granite quarries as the original construction, so the houses today are almost indistinguishable from the historic originals.
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