Chateaubriand Square and Saint-Vincent gate

Now, let’s go over to Chateaubriand Square, where you’ll be greeted by stunning townhouses and a plethora of cozy cafes and restaurants. Keep an eye out for the Saint-Vincent Gate – it’s the main entrance to Saint-Malo’s center. To really admire its opulence, you’ve got to make your way to the other side. There, you’ll spot arches and two coats of arms perched on top. The one on the left is the town’s emblem, featuring an ermine wearing a cape on top of an old castle portcullis. If you’ve got sharp eyes, you might even catch a glimpse of Saint-Malo’s motto: Semper Fidelis, which means “always faithful”! And here’s a fun tip: as you wander through the city, don’t forget to look down every now and then – you’ll spot the town’s coat of arms and motto on the sewer covers! Now, let’s talk about the one on the right – it belongs to the Dukes of Brittany. You’ll recognize the symbols, which are the same as the ones on the Breton flag. But did you know that they also represent ermines? Yep, those furry little creatures are the ultimate emblem of Brittany. They’re depicted either realistically or in a stylized form, resembling a cross with three rays pointing downwards. Now, that’s quite the artistic touch, but the real reason behind it is actually pretty practical. Back in the day, coat of arms were essentially shields with blazons painted on them, often covered with squirrel or ermine fur. This fur was mostly white in winter, except for the tail, which stayed black. They’d stitch the pelts together, arranging the black tails in the middle in a cross shape. And that’s the how and the why behind it! Now, why is the ermine so closely tied to Brittany and its motto, “rather death than defilement”? Well, according to the legend, during a hunting excursion organized by Anne of Brittany, a noble ermine found herself cornered by a pack of hounds. Instead of crossing a muddy pond, the brave rodent, chose to face death with dignity. Touched by its courage, Anne spared the ermine’s life, making it the emblem of her duchy!