From the Other Side

 

View of St. Malo from across the port

It was Rick's birthday in mid-November, and as a surprise and treat Emily and her family came to meet us in St. Malo to celebrate. It was very gratifying as Rick was entirely unsuspecting. After careful clandestine planning between Emily and myself, we happened to run into their family as we were taking a stroll on the walls. Rick was gobsmacked.

One thing we did while they were here was to visit the Corniche d'Aleth, a small peninsula located on the other side of the port, offering us a view back towards St. Malo.

St. Malo commercial port seen from the Corniche d'Aleth

The Corniche d'Aleth, (the tree-lined peninsula in the distance) as seen from St. Malo commercial port

The first place to be inhabited in this area was at this spot, the Gallo-Roman city of Alet (1st century BC), founded on the ancient capital of the Coriosolites, Iron Age Gauls. The original walls were built in the 4th century.

Entrance into the City of Alet

From the Corniche d'Aleth, you can see the entire harbor: the Bay of Saint-Malo, the Rance estuary, the Corsair City (which is what St. Malo, intra muros is affectionally known as locally), the seaside resort of Dinard, plus the entire coastline as far as Cap Fréhel.

Rick, Zinnie and Quinn on the edge of the world

Here was also located the German fortified position during WWII, to defend St. Malo, and the occupied Channel Islands.

View west towards Dinard

Emily, Jos and Quinn walked, the rest of us drove. In either case, it's not far and well worth the trouble. The views are simply spectacular and much more expansive that in St. Malo intra muros itself. 

Gazing out to sea

As I mentioned once before, St. Malo is actually, by both area and population, a rather large city. Although intra muros is undoubtedly the most charming part, it is much less practical as a place to actually live. The section where the ancient City of Alet is located is called Saint-Servan. We have stayed here before and it has quite a lot to offer and has its own long and storied history.

Looking towards the Rance River estuary from Saint-Servan

We had a lovely meal together at the Comptoir Breizh Cafe, quite famous in these parts. They serve high-end Breton galettes (crepes). Michelin mentions them in their guide to St. Malo.

Contemplating the options

Since scallop season is upon us, several ordered the scallop galette. Quite tasty, and beautifully presented.

A meal here is always lovely, delicious and exotic

On our way back to the apartment from our meal, we noticed the fishmonger's shop sign, which I found rather amusing.

It reads: Open, Tuesday from 8-12:36 and 3:30-7:02. Thursday the same as Tuesday. Friday the same as Saturday. Saturday the same as Thursday. Sunday 8:17-12:45. Closed Monday and Wednesday. 

How could it be more straightforward?