St. Michel/St. Malo

Another beautiful day comes to an end on tour. Today we visited the medieval cities of Mont-Saint-Michel and St. Malo. Both of these walled cities were incredible. St. Michel started as a monastery in the 8th century, which was built at the top of a rocky "island" (only at high tide though, at low tide this rock is protected by the surrounding quicksand). 

After visiting the monastery, we enjoyed some sightseeing, shopping, and lunch before heading to St. Malo. Here in St. Malo, we have a hotel within the city walls. St. Malo has history in battling pirates throughout the ages, and the original fortifications are still in existence. However, most of these fortifications and the city itself have been rebuilt since the end of WWII. Due to extensive bombings  by the U.S. and British air units trying to rid the city of the German occupation, more than 90% of the city needed to be rebuilt. 

Tomorrow it is off to Rennes and the Loire Valley. Goodnight from St. Malo!