General info about Saint Malo?

Question

I'm going to be going to St Malo this summer, and I was just wondering a few things:

1. Where do most of the people live in Saint Malo? Is it in the walled city or the outer parts or in various suburbs?

2. Where are most of the shops located?

3. Do the people there mostly speak French or Breton?

If you can answer any of these questions, or just have some other information (I've already looked at all the websites) then I would really appreciate any answers! Thanks!!

Answer 1

I have spent only a few hours in St-Malo but can't wait to go back and visit it. You're lucky to go there. Don' miss the Pink Granit Coast, further west, I find it one of the most beautiful coastal regions in the world, the rock formations are absolutely spectacular and the sand is so fine and white.

I don't know the city well enough to answer your questions accurately but you should ask this girl, she is from around there I think: http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt...

As far as I know, most old towns have most of their shops in their old, walled center. Outside the center you find the large businesses like car dealers, furniture shops, etc and of course at least bakeries and convenience stores. Most people speak French only but a growing minority now speak Breton as well (between 10% and 20%, most of them older people but now that bilingual education is allowed in schools there are more and more young people who can speak it or at least understand it).

@ Likeitornot: you are talking about Mont St-Michel in Normandy, not St-Malo in Brittany.

Answer 2

St. Malo has shops lined up along the main street which winds up the mountain.  They are mostly tourist souvenir shops.  There is a restaurant at the entrance called "Mere Poulard" which makes crepes, it's good but touristy.   The whole place is tourist driven and not many people live there except the people who own hotels and the monks.  Try to get to the church at the top and take a tour because there are some interesting facts and stories i.e. it used to be a prison and the prisoners would try to escape and would get washed away and drowned by the tides.  It will be very crowded in the summer with lots of buses and cars along the causeway to the entrance - be patient.  Enjoy the view from the mainland and, if you can, try to see it at night when it's all lit up.

It's one of those places that is more enjoyable at a distance.

Bon voyage!