★ 4 · last edited Jun 30, 2020
Saint-Malo
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Saint-Malo
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With its ramparts and magnificent walled city, the home of Surcouf and Jacques Cartier is one of the most visited places in the region. You can also enjoy its beaches.
Overview of Saint-Malo
With its ramparts and magnificent walled city, the home of Surcouf and Jacques Cartier is one of the most visited places in the region. You can also enjoy its beaches.
Key facts
- Type of place: small town.
- Tourist interest: (must-see or highly recommended).
- Location:
- Distances:
- Local time: .
- Population: 46,097 inhabitants (2017).
- Area: 36.58 km².
- Altitude: sea level.
- Website: http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.com
History of Saint-Malo
What to see in Saint-Malo
Saint-Vincent Cathedral
The building dates from the 12th century and was constructed with a "blend" of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The cathedral lies at the heart of the old town.
The building dates from the 12th century and was constructed with a "blend" of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The cathedral lies at the heart of the old town.
Walled city
Enclosed by its famous ramparts, with its gates and posterns, the walled city features cobblestone streets and beautiful historic façades (some of which were rebuilt after the war), as well as the castle (now the town hall and a museum) and the cathedral. It is the main attraction of the city.
Enclosed by its famous ramparts, with its gates and posterns, the walled city features cobblestone streets and beautiful historic façades (some of which were rebuilt after the war), as well as the castle (now the town hall and a museum) and the cathedral. It is the main attraction of the city.
Fort National
A military bastion dating from the Vauban era, perched on an islet facing the ramparts. It’s part of the city’s "landscape" and can be visited on a guided tour during holiday periods.
A military bastion dating from the Vauban era, perched on an islet facing the ramparts. It’s part of the city’s "landscape" and can be visited on a guided tour during holiday periods.
Grand Aquarium
Opened in 1996, it showcases several hundred species from the world's seas. The Shark Ring, a reconstructed galleon shipwreck, and the *Nautibus* submarine are its main attractions.
Opened in 1996, it showcases several hundred species from the world's seas. The Shark Ring, a reconstructed galleon shipwreck, and the *Nautibus* submarine are its main attractions.
Briantais Grand Park
This is a 27-hectare estate overlooking the Rance estuary. In addition to the lovely panorama, you can also enjoy the exhibitions hosted by the château, as well as the gardens.
This is a 27-hectare estate overlooking the Rance estuary. In addition to the lovely panorama, you can also enjoy the exhibitions hosted by the château, as well as the gardens.
Grand Bé Island
Opposite the ramparts, this small uninhabited island, accessible on foot at low tide, is home to Chateaubriand's tomb. Nearby, Petit Bé Island with its 17th-century fort built by Vauban can also be visited.
Opposite the ramparts, this small uninhabited island, accessible on foot at low tide, is home to Chateaubriand's tomb. Nearby, Petit Bé Island with its 17th-century fort built by Vauban can also be visited.
Memorial 39/45
Housed in an anti-aircraft defence bunker, the site is dedicated to the history of the German military occupation of the city during the Second World War.
Housed in an anti-aircraft defence bunker, the site is dedicated to the history of the German military occupation of the city during the Second World War.
Museum of the History of Saint-Malo and its Region
Housed in the town’s château, it traces the history of Saint-Malo and the key figures who lived there.
Housed in the town’s château, it traces the history of Saint-Malo and the key figures who lived there.
Cape Horn Long-Distance Sailing Museum
Housed in the 14th-century Solidor Tower, this museum recounts the discovery of Cape Horn and the lives of Cape Horn sailors.
Housed in the 14th-century Solidor Tower, this museum recounts the discovery of Cape Horn and the lives of Cape Horn sailors.
The Sculpted Rocks of Rothéneuf
On the outskirts of Saint-Malo, by the sea, these monumental sculptures are a century-old example of outsider art, created by Abbé Fouré.
On the outskirts of Saint-Malo, by the sea, these monumental sculptures are a century-old example of outsider art, created by Abbé Fouré.
What to do in Saint-Malo
Climate and weather in Saint-Malo
Like the rest of the coast, the city has a temperate oceanic climate with fairly high rainfall spread throughout the year. The temperature range is relatively small, with neither very low winter temperatures nor very high summer ones.
Sea temperature throughout the year
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Malo | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 |
Transport
Getting there
Getting around
Where to stay
Where to eat
Useful addresses
Nearby
Some interesting places to visit around Saint-Malo:
Cancale
This rather pretty fishing port, best known for its oysters, has several beaches. Nearby, the Pointe du Grouin and its beautiful coastal landscapes.
This rather pretty fishing port, best known for its oysters, has several beaches. Nearby, the Pointe du Grouin and its beautiful coastal landscapes.
Cape Fréhel
This peninsula is one of the most beautiful in Brittany, with its cliffs and coastal landscapes. You can enjoy short hikes here.
This peninsula is one of the most beautiful in Brittany, with its cliffs and coastal landscapes. You can enjoy short hikes here.
Fort-la-Latte Castle
Built on a rocky spur facing the sea and Cap Fréhel, in the commune of Plévenon, this beautiful 14th-century fortress has served as a filming location for many movies.
Built on a rocky spur facing the sea and Cap Fréhel, in the commune of Plévenon, this beautiful 14th-century fortress has served as a filming location for many movies.
Emerald Coast
From Cap Fréhel to Cancale, straddling two departments (22 and 35), this coastal area owes its name to the green hue the sea can take on here. It features several seaside resorts and some beautiful landscapes.
From Cap Fréhel to Cancale, straddling two departments (22 and 35), this coastal area owes its name to the green hue the sea can take on here. It features several seaside resorts and some beautiful landscapes.
Dinan
A beautiful medieval town with its ramparts, castle, and half-timbered houses. It is one of the prettiest towns in Brittany.
A beautiful medieval town with its ramparts, castle, and half-timbered houses. It is one of the prettiest towns in Brittany.
Mont Saint-Michel
Perched on a rocky islet in the middle of its bay and dominated by its abbey, this is a unique place. Mont Saint-Michel is also one of France’s most visited sites, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Perched on a rocky islet in the middle of its bay and dominated by its abbey, this is a unique place. Mont Saint-Michel is also one of France’s most visited sites, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Pointe du Grouin
This is the headland north of Cancale. You can enjoy beautiful coastal scenery and numerous birds, especially in the small bird sanctuary on Île des Landes, located a few hundred metres off the coast.
This is the headland north of Cancale. You can enjoy beautiful coastal scenery and numerous birds, especially in the small bird sanctuary on Île des Landes, located a few hundred metres off the coast.
Saint-Suliac
This port village with typically Breton architecture is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France". You can hike in the surrounding area.
This port village with typically Breton architecture is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France". You can hike in the surrounding area.
Further reading
Must-see & highly recommended
Walled City (Saint Malo)
★★★★ Enclosed by its famous ramparts, with its gates and posterns, the walled city features cobblestone streets and beautiful historic façades…
Worth a look / Other
Fort National (Saint-Malo)
★★ A military bastion dating from the Vauban era, perched on an islet facing the ramparts. It’s part of the city’s "landscape" and…
Grand Aquarium (Saint-Malo)
★★ Opened in 1996, it showcases several hundred species from the world's seas. The Shark Ring, a reconstructed galleon shipwreck, and the…
Grand Bé Island
★★ Opposite the ramparts, this small uninhabited island, accessible on foot at low tide, is home to Chateaubriand's tomb. Nearby, Petit Bé…
Museum of the History of Saint-Malo and its Region
★★ Housed in the town’s château, it traces the history of Saint-Malo and the key figures who lived there.
Saint-Vincent Cathedral (Saint-Malo)
★ The building dates from the 12th century and was constructed with a "blend" of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The cathedral lies at the…
Briantais Grand Park
★ This is a 27-hectare estate overlooking the Rance estuary. In addition to the lovely panorama, you can also enjoy the exhibitions hosted by…
Memorial 39/45 (Saint-Malo)
★ Housed in an anti-aircraft defence bunker, the site is dedicated to the history of the German military occupation of the city during the…
Cape Horn Long-Distance Sailing Museum
★ Housed in the 14th-century Solidor Tower, this museum recounts the discovery of Cape Horn and the lives of Cape Horn sailors.
The Sculpted Rocks of Rothéneuf
★ On the outskirts of Saint-Malo, by the sea, these monumental sculptures are a century-old example of outsider art, created by Abbé Fouré.
- Walled City (Saint Malo)
- Museum of the History of Saint-Malo and its Region
- Grand Aquarium (Saint-Malo)
- Fort National (Saint-Malo)
- Briantais Grand Park
- Saint-Vincent Cathedral (Saint-Malo)
- Grand Bé Island
- Cape Horn Long-Distance Sailing Museum
- Memorial 39/45 (Saint-Malo)
- The Sculpted Rocks of Rothéneuf