St Malo, St Suliac & Ile de Re - 5 to 7 Sept

Next morning we headed to St Malo & St Suliac. At St Malo we walked completely around the old city along the top of the ramparts or city wall – this provided many views both into the old city & outwards to the rest of the city & out to sea & the surrounding islands (many with their own fortifications). An impressive city despite 80% being destroyed in WW2. We also checked out the St Malo Barrage crossing the Rance River & the power station. Power is generated by tidal flows turning turbines beneath the Barrage. We were able to climb down into the Barrage to see the workings – very impressive.

A lovely windmill along the way

St Malo jetty from city wall

St Malo city wall

We then headed to the beautiful little village of St Suliac – more narrow winding lanes & beautiful old buildings with a riverside setting.

St Suliac

We had booked a B&B for the night but had great difficulty locating it? Our GPS refused to acknowledge it’s existence & so we asked at a shop. After an animated discussion between the shopkeeper & two customers, a look at google maps & more discussion (all in very excitable & speedy French) the customer insisted on showing us the way. We followed his car for several kilometres to the street we wanted. We thanked him, shook hands & headed down the street. After much searching we asked another local who said it was the right name but wrong street (two the same) – the correct one was back nearer town. So back we went & rang our host who came to get us. She was very nice & after giving us some cider & biscuits we soon recovered – though we were several hours later than expected.

Today we had a longer drive (about 350kms) as we headed towards the Bordeaux region. Bopped along to the latest English language French pop song on the radio – Thunder! Thunder! Stopped at the small village of Mareuil-sur-Lay-Dissais for lunch & a walk through the streets – another quaint little old town.  Then headed to Ile de Re, an island off La Rochelle. One of those little gems you find unexpectedly – a lovely seaside feel with good beaches, lots of interesting old buildings, narrow laneways with all sorts of shops, bars, restaurants etc. The island is overrun with people on bicycles for whom road laws do not apply? Well worth the visit.

Finished a good day with seafood platter & duck confit & stayed on the island.

Yum!!

Next morning we drove around the island to see the sites & also walked around the village of Saint-Martin-de-Re which is surrounded by a complex series of fortifications built in the 17^th century. The small marina sits inside these fortifications & is surrounded by lovely shops & restaurants – a beautiful setting.

St-Martin-de-Re

Then drove to Gites Lacale at Vignonet near Bordeaux – our home for the next 5 nights. A beautiful setting overlooking the Dordogne River.