Retired Rats: Saint Malo

A few years ago I read Anthony Doerr’s historical fiction masterpiece All the Light We Cannot See partially set in Saint Malo during WWII. I know it was fiction, but it resonated so deeply with me, I had to visit. (BTW - his latest book Cloud Cuckooland did not work for me at all. You can read my review on the book review tab of my blog.)

We looked at the tall stone buildings, many with a tiny window at the top, and imagined Marie-Laure and her grandfather sending music over a hidden radio to bring some solace anyone lucky enough to receive it.

We had Saint Malo almost completely to ourselves. We walked the rampart walls and across the tidal basin to some of the remote islands. We could see the island of Guernsey in the distance. It was just magical. Sunny and warm and beautiful.

To celebrate my big 6-0, we had our first dine-in restaurant meal since June. No one was allowed entry without the QR code from the government proving they had been vaccinated, so we felt reassured. Glad we were able to get that! It was the best fish and chips we have ever eaten!

After lunch, we walked out to the lighthouse. The weather was starting to change and we had 2 1/2 hours until our train was scheduled to leave. The big beautiful building across from the train station is Saint Malo‘s Médiathèque. That is what they call some libraries in France. We went inside, the security guard asked for our QR and he admitted us to a beautiful brand new space. We were in heaven. We spent a couple of hours there and hopped the train home while viewing a gorgeous sunset.

Brittany has been absolutely beautiful. We have two more unscheduled days here. I wish we did not have to leave.

Layover at a train station. Visiting our favorite ducks. France really needs to get control of the mistletoe that is taking over their trees. It is everywhere and it is prolific. These poor trees also have English ivy.