Malo-les-Bains (Malo-aan-Zee) on the North Sea (by K2)
Mar 3, 2014 18:23:56 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2014 18:23:56 GMT
Once again, I find myself more attracted to the cities of the north than to the rest of France. I feel more at home in the foul weather and among the sensibly dressed eaters of frites than those "south of the Loire," which is the psychological division between the north and the south in France. Even when you watch the weather in France, it is explained using this expression: "storms north of the Loire and fine weather to the south." Of course, the actual storm systems don't really respect this division, but we all enjoy the folklore of the idea. I would imagine that the people who actually live along the banks of the Loire might be a bit more confused.
The concept of the "North Sea" is confusing even to the French, though. Most people think of the North Sea as being the part of the Atlantic across from Belgium and the Netherlands, to the east of Great Britain, and bathing Germany and Scandinavia. Most people don't think of it as touching France, since that would be the "English Channel." Actually, however, the French coast east of Calais is on the North Sea and not the English Channel. Okay this might be a bit boring, but think of how you will shine with intelligence when you correct a stupid pedant at a cocktail party (more towards the end of the party).
Anyway, Malo (which I hope that nobody will confuse with Saint Malo in Brittany) is not even an independent town. It used to be part of Rosendaël until 1891, but it was detached to become part of Dunkerque (Dunkirk, Duinkerke -- all of these cities have disputed and multiple names). It has a famous beach and is now considered to be the "beach resort" part of Dunkerque, if the concept does not cause you to guffaw. It was spared from Allied bombing much more than Dunkerque itself because it is quite far from the industrial port and the rail lines, so quite a bit of the original architecture remains.
The concept of the "North Sea" is confusing even to the French, though. Most people think of the North Sea as being the part of the Atlantic across from Belgium and the Netherlands, to the east of Great Britain, and bathing Germany and Scandinavia. Most people don't think of it as touching France, since that would be the "English Channel." Actually, however, the French coast east of Calais is on the North Sea and not the English Channel. Okay this might be a bit boring, but think of how you will shine with intelligence when you correct a stupid pedant at a cocktail party (more towards the end of the party).
Anyway, Malo (which I hope that nobody will confuse with Saint Malo in Brittany) is not even an independent town. It used to be part of Rosendaël until 1891, but it was detached to become part of Dunkerque (Dunkirk, Duinkerke -- all of these cities have disputed and multiple names). It has a famous beach and is now considered to be the "beach resort" part of Dunkerque, if the concept does not cause you to guffaw. It was spared from Allied bombing much more than Dunkerque itself because it is quite far from the industrial port and the rail lines, so quite a bit of the original architecture remains.
However, the first thing that I saw was that the North Sea was angry, like all of the shores of the area this winter.
looking back in the direction of the port of Dunkerque
I really must remember to come back here sometime during the summer.
looking back in the direction of the port of Dunkerque
I really must remember to come back here sometime during the summer.
