November 5th – 6th, 2022
David gave me several recommendations on where to visit and how to utilize my weekend to explore France and visit interesting sights. He had already done a long hike from his house to Mont Saint-Michel and really loved it. I took his advice and started my weekend journey.
Mont Saint-Michel
November 5th, 2022
It was about a 3-hour drive to get there. I had to make a few stops on the way, so by the time I got to the parking near Mont Saint-Michel, I had a bit more than 2 hours of daylight left. It was an overcast day so it was getting dark quickly. I parked the car, took my bike, and wasted no time.
The castle was constructed at the 8th century and played an important role during various periods as a stronghold for different groups. It is now considered a small municipality and has shops, hotels, restaurants, and houses. The main castle is also a museum.
Cancale and Saint-Malo
November 6th, 2022
Concale and Point de Grouin
Concale is a small town with a medieval vibe. There is not much to it, but right outside the town is a beautiful cliff overlooking the ocean. It is usually quite crowded and I was lucky that I managed to find a parking spot. The area has a few hiking tracks that attract many visitors. Despite being crowded, you can still find quiet places to just stare at the waves crashing the cliffs.
Saint-Malo
Usually, Saint-Malo is a quiet town known for its old town as well as the big port it has. But the day I visited was the opening of a sailing competition from Saint-Malo to Guadelope. Guadelope is a French island in the Carrebians. Interestingly, the new friend I made, Mathilda, is originally from Guadelope.
Around the port, due to the competition, were fences and gates. I had to go through the security check to enter the area. On the other side of the port, on a small island, lays the old town of Saint-Malo. The whole old town is surrounded by a wall and has several gates. You can walk on the wall around the whole town.
