Dinard/St Malo visit

**greatwhite** · 01-03-2018, 04:00 PM

Hi folks due to go over in April, a quick bit of research tells me St Malo was heavily bombed by the the US despite being occupied by only 70 German soldiers (not sure how true that is).
Has anyone been over and could give me a dew tips of anything left to see or visit.
Thanks Steve.

**Carlo3** · 01-14-2018, 01:51 AM

Hi greatwhite,if you are in St Malo you must visit the the island of Cezembre,it was heavily bombed,and it is not very easy to go there,but in 2009 I had a chance to visit the island of Cezembre,the island is NOT open to the public..but may I suggest you to try to get there.....it must see!!!
here is some pics and a couple of links can help you...good luck!

http://bunkersite.com/locations/fran...o/cezembre.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9zembre

I have no time now but if you like I will post more pics tomorrow.........good night!

**greatwhite** · 01-14-2018, 12:18 PM

Thanks Carlo, how did you manage to get there, i understand St Malo itself was heavily bombed due to the occupation, only a few weeks left before we visit really looking forward to it.

**Carlo3** · 01-14-2018, 07:00 PM

I manage to get there with diplomacy,first of all you need to find a private water taxi to reach the island,I do not think you can find a public ferry in april,they usually are in service from the end of may/june to september as only a small island beach is open to the public,see pic..........then you have to talk to the guy who runs the small restaurant on the island,he is also the guardian of the forbidden zone,he speaks english quite well,be quiet and polite with him better if you have a meal in his restaurant,the food is not really bad,it is all frozen!

this guy is the key to the success of the whole operation,he will talk with gendarmerie/french police which usually is often on the island and if you look as a quite guy perhaps you have the chance to get in the forbidden area,so someone will open the gate for you............the island is a scenic war history area. 90% of the island is forbidden to visitors because of the risk of unexploded ordnance,more than 20,000 bombs hit the island,the damage caused by the heavy bombardment still clearly visible today,it is very interesting to visit the forbidden area as it is not affected by mass tourism and you have the chance to visit an historic ww2 site as it was left after the war,do not try to pick up any suovenir,the police or someone else may check your backpack,you will be advice about everything.
during the visit you will be in company only by the sound of silence and the screeching of the seagulls
do not try to tip the police officers,otherwise you will visit another place.

I think I told you everything that could help you....good luck!

**Carlo3** · 01-14-2018, 07:11 PM

forgot,take with you a good torch,here is some more pics about my visit

**Carlo3** · 01-14-2018, 07:25 PM

**Carlo3** · 01-14-2018, 07:40 PM

**BlackCat1982** · 01-14-2018, 08:25 PM

Great set of photos Carlo, sure I can see remains of a MG34 zwilling munition box! Like a time capsule, just as left, fascinating. Shame they could not restore the artillery pieces.