Cancale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cancale
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Cancale, Port de la Houle
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 Cancale
Location in France
Cancale
Location in Brittany
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| Country | France | ||
| Region | Brittany | ||
| Department | Ille-et-Vilaine | ||
| Arrondissement | Saint-Malo | ||
| Canton | Saint-Malo-1 | ||
| Intercommunality | CA Pays de Saint-Malo | ||
| Area
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12.6 km2 (4.9 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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5,435 | ||
| • Density | 431.3/km2 (1,117/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | ||
| INSEE/Postal code |
35049 /35260
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| Elevation | 0–56 m (0–184 ft) (avg. 45 m or 148 ft) |
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| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |||
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Cancale is a charming town located in Brittany, a region in northwestern France. It's part of the Ille-et-Vilaine department. Cancale is famous for its delicious oysters and beautiful coastal views. It's also known as the hometown of Saint Jeanne Jugan.
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About Cancale's People
People who live in Cancale are called Cancalais in French. In 2021, about 5,435 people lived in Cancale. The number of people living here has changed over the years. For example, in 1968, there were 5,019 residents.
Where is Cancale Located?
Cancale is found at the western edge of the beautiful Mont-Saint-Michel bay. It sits on the coast of Ille-et-Vilaine, which is part of the Emerald Coast. The town is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Saint-Malo.
The bay of Cancale has two main points. The pointe des Roches Noires is to the south. The pointe des Crolles is to the north. These points mark the edges of the bay.
Visiting Cancale: A Tourist Guide
Cancale is a very popular place for visitors. It is a lovely fishing port located east of Saint-Malo. Many people come here because it's known as the "oyster capital" of Brittany.
Even though it's a small town, Cancale has many restaurants. Most of these restaurants specialize in seafood. You can enjoy fresh meals while watching the busy port. There are also many stalls selling all kinds of shellfish.
Oyster Market Fun
At the harbor, you can visit the oyster market (marché aux huîtres). It's at the end of Quai de l'Administrateur en Chef Thomas. Here, you can buy many types of local oysters directly from the people who grow them. When the tide is low, you can even walk out and see some of the huge oyster beds.
Coastal Walks and Views
There's a nice path along the coast. You can take a circular walk from the town to the Pointe du Grouin. From there, you get amazing views across the bay towards Mont Saint-Michel. It's a great spot for photos!
Artists and Cancale
Many artists have been inspired by Cancale's beauty.
- Eugène Feyen painted Cancale and its oyster pickers for many years, starting around 1865. Vincent van Gogh admired his work. He said Feyen showed real life, not just fashion.
- John Singer Sargent also painted scenes from Cancale. His famous works include Fishing for Oysters at Cancale and Low tide at Cancal Harbour.
Cancale's Famous Oysters
Did you know that King Louis XIV used to have his oysters brought all the way to the Palace of Versailles from Cancale? That's how good they are!
Centuries later, growing oysters is still a very important activity in Cancale. The oyster beds cover about 7.3 square kilometers (2.8 square miles). You can easily see them from the pier at the harbor. These beds produce about 25,000 tons of oysters every year. That's a lot of oysters!
Cancale's International Connections
Cancale has special connections with other towns around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities."
Arnstein, Germany (since 1988)
Saint Clement, Jersey (since 2010)
Historically, Cancale's location made it a target during wars. In 1758, an English army landed here to try and attack Saint-Malo. They caused damage to the town. The English also attacked Cancale again in 1779.
Images for kids
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Cancale, Port de la Houle
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Coat of arms of Cancale
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Flag of Cancale
See also
In Spanish: Cancale para niños
