Travel by ferry to Brittany's most visited town. With the highest concentration of seafood restaurants in Europe, St. Malo and the nearby Cancale are famous for oysters.
As your ferry from Portsmouth approaches the harbour at St Malo, the view of the impressive ramparts of the ancient walled city confirms this as the most beautiful Channel port in France.
The Breton capital Rennes is just 45 minutes away.
Mont St Michel is 34 miles along the coast with wonderful views on the way. The stunning abbey is a World Heritage Site with waves rolling all around at high tide and expansive flat sands at low water.
Caen is 90 minutes by car, offering the possibility of sailing into St Malo and back from Caen on your return journey.
Head 20 miles south for the charming medieval town of Dinan, a prettily preserved delight.
To the west are the traditional holiday beaches of the Emerald Coast.
St Malo has reputedly the best butter in the world, made by Jean Yves Bordier and sold at his Maison du Beurre shop, a heavenly outlet of all things dairy.
From 1490–1493 St Malo called itself an independent republic, with the motto ‘not French, not Breton, but Malouins’.
Adventurer Jacques Cartier, credited with discovering Canada, sailed from St Malo and his house is now open to the public.
The city is twinned with Cowes on the Isle of Wight, another destination in love with the sea.
Brittany Ferries operate daily sailings to St Malo
For more information on St Malo visit www.st malo tourisme.co.uk
Visit www.google.co.uk for more information on St Malo