岛屿上的海盗城

THE "CITY OF CORSAIRS" ON THE ISLAND

直插大西洋的布列塔尼半岛,位于英吉利海峡的入口处,是法国大西洋海岸的重要口岸。岸边有一座岛屿小城圣马洛,它的名字起源于6世纪在这里传教的一个名为马洛的英国传教士。它位于法国的西北角,其老城部分原本是完全独立的岛屿,13世纪时通过地峡和大陆连在了一起。这里在1000多年以前曾是凯尔特公国的领地,1532年被法国所合并,但其独特的地方色彩依然非常浓厚,和法国别处的风格大有不同。

Saint-Malo is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern France on the English Channel.Traditionally with an independent streak,Saint-Malo was in the past notorious for privateering.The city had a tradition of asserting its autonomy in dealings with the French authorities and even with the local Breton authorities.Saint-Malo became notorious as the home of the corsairs,French privateers and sometimes pirates.The corsairs of Saint-Malo not only forced English ships passing up the Channel to pay tribute,but also brought wealth from further afield.In World War II,during fighting in late August and early September 1944,the historic walled city of Saint-Malo was almost totally destroyed by American shelling and bombing as well as British naval gunfire.Saint-Malo was rebuilt over a12-year period from 1948-60.The ancient walled city of SaintMalo is extremely popular with visitors from all over Europe and in particular the UK.Today,Saint-Malo is considered by many to be the most attractive channel port in France and its cobbled streets are brimming with hotels,restaurants,bars and shops.