Savouring ST MALO

Enjoy a taste of Brittany inside this historic walled town. French children eat out from an early age, and if you’re travelling with youngsters, you’ll find plenty of child-friendly food with added atmosphere in Saint Malo. Brittany’s most popular fast food is sweet or savoury crêpes, served with a variety of toppings. For the perfect accompaniment, try a glass of local apple juice or, for adults, a traditional bol – or pottery bowl – of Breton cider.

If you’re walking the ramparts with children, stop off at the Crêperie Le Corps de Garde, a bustling restaurant that occupies the 17th century guard room of the town militia. Sea views, speedy service, and friendly staff in corsair costumes make this a perennial favourite with families.

Prefer a touch of magic? Then try the Crêperie des Lutins on Grand’Rue – a tiny restaurant dedicated to small-sized people. Not just your small-sized people either, but the fairies, sprites and other mythical creatures that abound in Breton legends. And of course crêpes aren’t only for children. La Touline in Place Poissonnerie overlooks the fish market and square. Eat in the dining room to watch your dishes being cooked, or, in fine weather, outside on the terrace. Under the same ownership is La Brigantine on rue de Dinan in the heart of the walled town.

When you’ve time to linger over lunch, there are few more authentic Breton meals than fresh local seafood. Try La Fourchette de Leonie in Place de la Roulais where chef Christophe Dubois and his wife Marielle serve imaginative seafood dishes at lunchtime, Monday to Saturday, alongside their delicatessen business. If you’re renting a gîte or seaside villa, you can buy daily specials here ready to serve in your holiday kitchen - starters, main courses and desserts that take the ‘self’ out of self-catering.

Whatever your taste in fish or shellfish, you can entrust your tastebuds to Jean-Philippe Foucat who serves up seafood with surprises at Le Chalut in rue de la Corne de Cerf. Or try the eat-and-sleep package offered by La Porte Saint-Pierre in Place du Guet. This third-generation family business combines 21 cosy bedrooms with a popular restaurant, serving both fish and meat dishes.

Details of all these restaurants and more can be found at www.brittanytourism.com