Saint-Malo: The Walled Jewel of Brittany

• HelloBonjour
  [bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [seel voo pleh / duh ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi / Désolé
  [ehk-skew-zay mwah / day-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mahn sah vah?]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byan. ay voo?]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay?]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr luh muh-new, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh suh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [ah-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-play lah poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-play uh mayd-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray ash-tay...]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gard zhust]
• How much is it?Combien cela coûte?
  [kohm-byen suh-lah koot?]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-vay voo bay-say luh pree?]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell uhr ay teel?]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel ay oon uhr]
• Half past (10)Dix et demi
  [dees ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-man]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [trwah]
• 4Quatre
  [kah-truh]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [sept]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nurf]
• 10Dix
  [dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo ay...?]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell ay la-dress?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)?]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn ay luh proh-shahn (bus)?]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor ...)]

Saint-Malo, located on the Brittany coast of France, traces its origins back to the 1st century BC, when it was a small Gallo-Roman settlement. The town was named after Saint Maclou, a 6th-century monk who was one of the seven founding saints of Brittany.

During the Middle Ages, Saint-Malo became a fortified island to protect against invasions. Its impressive ramparts, which still stand today, were constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. These fortifications helped Saint-Malo become a formidable maritime city.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Saint-Malo was notorious for its corsairs, privateers authorized by the French crown to raid enemy ships. The city's wealth grew as these corsairs, including the famous René Duguay-Trouin and Robert Surcouf, brought back treasures and goods from their exploits.

During the French Revolution, Saint-Malo experienced significant upheaval. The city was a hotbed of revolutionary activity, and its citizens played a crucial role in the political and social changes sweeping across France during this tumultuous period.

Saint-Malo was heavily bombarded during World War II, particularly in August 1944 during the Battle of Saint-Malo. The city's historic center was largely destroyed. However, post-war reconstruction efforts meticulously restored Saint-Malo to its former glory, preserving its historical charm.

Today, Saint-Malo is a popular tourist destination known for its rich history, stunning coastal views, and vibrant cultural scene. The city's historic walled center, picturesque beaches, and annual events like the Route du Rhum sailing race continue to attract visitors from around the world.

Saint-Malo is located in the Brittany region of France. The nearest international airport is Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport, approximately 75 kilometers away. From Rennes, you can take a direct train to Saint-Malo, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can fly into Paris and take a TGV high-speed train from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Malo, with a transfer in Rennes. The entire journey from Paris typically takes about 3 hours.

Saint-Malo is a compact city, and many of its attractions are within walking distance. Local buses operated by the MAT network connect various parts of the city and neighboring areas. For more flexibility, consider renting a bicycle or a car. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available. Boat shuttles offer a scenic way to explore the coast and nearby islands, such as Dinard and Cézembre.

The official currency in Saint-Malo is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments, markets, and transportation. ATMs are readily available in the city center and at major tourist spots.

Saint-Malo is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, like any popular tourist spot, it is wise to take standard precautions. Avoid leaving valuables unattended and be cautious in crowded areas where pickpocketing can occur. The area around the train station can be less safe at night, so it's best to stay vigilant and avoid walking alone in that vicinity after dark.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Saint-Malo. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are plentiful, and many staff members speak some English. For minor health issues, you can purchase over-the-counter medications from these pharmacies.

Fashion: Do dress stylishly but comfortably. Avoid overly casual attire when dining out in finer restaurants. Religion: Do respect local religious customs. When visiting churches, dress modestly and keep noise levels down. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding buses. Don’t talk loudly on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a polite 'Bonjour' and a handshake. Don’t use overly familiar language with strangers. Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties like galettes and seafood. Don’t rush your meal; dining is a leisurely affair in France.

To experience Saint-Malo like a local, visit the morning markets like the one at Halle au Blé where you can buy fresh produce and local delicacies. Take a walk along the city walls, known as Les Remparts, for stunning views. Engage with locals in small talk, as they are often friendly and willing to share tips about the best places to eat and visit. Don’t miss the chance to explore the nearby tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel, which is a short drive away.