This is another first by yours truly the road warrior. Well Bretagne has a bunch and I am working on it. We reach Cancale, another beauty of the Ille et Vilaine department,35 in my lovely Bretagne, in my belle France. Therefore, let me give you some curiosities of Cancale !
As we entered the city, we saw this first in the bourg or city center of Cancale! On the Place de l’église stands a fountain with a sculpture, bronze composed of two oyster washers symbolizing the work of the Cancalaises at the beginning of the 20C before mechanization, The fountain Les laveuses d’huîtres or the oyster washers is made of bronze, this statue shows local women washing oysters by hand. They represent the women of Cancale who guarded the city, while the men went to sea for months to fish. It is a true symbol for the city.
At the end of the port de la Houle, quai Administrator Chef Thomas, oyster lovers will be delighted. Freshly harvested, the hollow and flat overflow baskets on the stalls of producers. If your mouth is watering, taste them plain or lemony on the terrace of one of the many restaurants in the port or on the marché aux huîtres or oyster market facing the open sea, in a friendly and lively atmosphere. This is awesome !!!
The Houle district is located at the entrance to Cancale. It is quite traditional because it is mainly fishermen’s houses dating from the 18C and 19C that are found there, below the cliff. The district is also marked by the small niches installed in the streets, in homage to the Virgin Mary. The first would have appeared following the cholera epidemic which ravaged Cancale in the 1850s.The port, called Port de la Houle. The comings and goings of the dumpers loaded with oysters, the merchants, the return of the fishing boats at high tide. The port is bordered by a district leaning against the cliff, with narrow streets and where the fishermen lived.
The beach of the small port of Cancale is a small beach. During high tides, it disappears under the water and as a result, the sand can remain wet when the water recedes. It’s not necessarily the best if you want to tan, but it’s still very nice to be able to rest for a few moments.
The city of Cancale and its heritage : http://www.ville-cancale.fr/infos_touristiques_cancale.html
The Ille et Vilaine dept 35 tourist office on Cancale : https://www.brittany-tourism.com/discover-ille-et-vilaine/the-loveliest-places/cancale/
The Saint Malo tourist office on Cancale treasures : https://www.saint-malo-tourisme.com/nos-tresors-preserves/les-perles-de-la-cote-cancalaise-cancale-les-perles-de-la-cote/
There you go folks, a dandy of a town, and glad finally there, already looking forward to be back, eventually. See my next post on the monument of Cancale in my blog. Hope you enjoy the curiosities of Cancale as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 