A town of fascinating History
Founded by the Welsh monk Mac Low, the old walled town is protected by its ramparts, the oldest dating from the XIIth century. Walk in the footsteps of fascinating characters such as Chateaubriand, Surcouf, Jacques Cartier or Anne of Brittany …
Visit the castle museum, built by the Dukes of Brittany in the XVth century, the hotel Asfeld, the cathedral, then stroll along the beach to see the Fort National and the tiny islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé only accessible at low tide. Enjoy a shopping trip to the walled town full of small shops and sunny terraces, then the charm of a stroll along the ramparts, make the most of the fresh sea air as you return by foot along the beach.
Saint-Malo also holds many cultural and sporting events such as La Route du Rhum yacht race and the Tall Ships Race as well as the Etonnants Voyageurs and Quai des Bulles literary festivals…
To see and do in Saint-Malo
Cité d'Aleth
A beautiful walkway with panoramic views of the Solidor harbour, the Rance estuary and its tidal energy plant, Dinard and the old walled town. See the remains of the cathedral and the WWII memorial museum built into the air defence bunkers dating from the occupation.
Tour Solidor
Built during the XIVth century to control the town of St Malo, then converted into a prison, Solidor tower now houses the International Museum of the Cap Horn Long-Course in honour of the sailors of Saint-Malo, the first French explorers to cross the formidable Cap Horn a the end of the XVIIth century. Address : Tour Solidor – Saint Servan -Saint-Malo. Tel.: 33 (0)2.99.40.71.58 – Price: 6 €
Manoir de Limoëlou
The manor is the only remaining legacy of its illustrious owner, Jacques Cartier, a native of St. Malo and discoverer of Canada in 1534, this great explorer of the renaissance opened the North American continent to France through the St. Laurent River.
Address : Manoir Jacques Cartier –Rothéneuf –Saint Malo.
Tel. : 33 (0)2.99.40.97.73 – Price: 5 €
www.musee-jacques-cartier.com
Grand bé and petit bé islands
Small uninhabited island at the entrance to the Rance estuary and below the ramparts, the Grand Bé is a tidal peninsula where at low tide you can visit the grave of Chateaubriand, the famous writer born in Saint-Malo. Close by, Le Petit Bé, a small castle built by Vauban in the 17th century to defend the town. Open depending on tides and weather conditions Tel. : 33 (0)6.08.27.51.20 – Price: 6 € www.petit-be.com
Fort national
A historic building built in 1689 by the military architect Vauban to protect the port of Saint Malo. All tours with an experienced tour guide. Accessible by foot at low tide, the Fort National, with its granite walls built into the rock will give you an experience more than three centuries of military history. Tel. : 33 (0)6.72.46.66.26 Adult Admission: 6 € http://www.fortnational.com
Les rochers sculptés
5 km from Thermes Marins, towards Cancale, the carved rocks (rochers sculptés) at Rothéneuf, a strange world populated by characters from another time. In the 19th century Father Fourré started sculpting the rock creating a huge naïve style sculpture. Address : Rochers Sculptés – Rothéneuf –St Malo Tel. : 33 (0)2.99.56.23.95
Le Grand Aquarium
Home to one of the finest collections of sharks and fish from the oceans and seas around the world. Unique : the 360° shark ring aquarium and the Nautibus ride! Tel. : 33 (0)2.99.21.19.00 www.aquarium-st-malo.com Special Rate: ask for your Aquarium Pass at the reception.
Saint-Malo Golf
Along the Emerald Coast, 15 minutes from Saint-Malo, the Saint-Malo Hotel Golf & Country Club *** is a must. The 27 hole domain is spread over more than one hundred hectares, bordering the Mesnil forest (hunting grounds to Robert Surcouf, the famous privateer (1773-1827), whose flag can be seen from the greens…)
Tel. 02.99.58.96.69
http://www.golf-brittany.com
Special Rate: ask for your Golf Pass at the reception.
Surf School
A sailing school next to the Thermes Marins offering water sports such as windsurfing, sand sailing, catamaran, surfing…
Tel. : 33 (0)2.99.40.07.47
http://www.surfschool.org
Special Rate: Ask for the Surf School Pass at reception
The beaches of Saint-Malo
Devant les Thermes Marins Grande plage du Sillon, de Saint-Malo Intra-Muros à Paramé Aux pieds des remparts de la cité Corsaire. Plage Bon Secours et sa piscine naturelle d’eau de mer face au Grand Bé. Plage du Môle. Plage de l’Eventail, devant le Fort National. A proximité : Plage du Pont et Plage du Minihic de Paramé à Rothéneuf. ...et de multiples plages à découvrir de Rothéneuf à Cancale
Tidal Energy plant of the rance estuary
At the foot of the ramparts, Bon Secours beach and its seawater swimming pool in front of the Grand Bé. Mole Beach, also below the ramparts. Evantail beach in front of the Fort National. The vast Sillon beach which stretches from Saint Malo to Paramé. Minihic Beach and Pont Beach from Paramé to Rothéneuf. And many more beaches to discover from Rothéneuf to Cancale …
Touring the region
Cancale
A resort located 15 km from Saint-Malo, Cancale is a picturesque fishing port which nestles under the cliffs, renowned for its oysters with oyster beds visible at low tide.
Dinard
A holiday hot-spot for the British during the 19th century, Dinard is a beautiful holiday town which still contains the charm and architecture of the past with plenty of tourist attractions (great market on Saturday mornings all year round).
Dinan
Former medieval town of the Dukes of Brittany, Dinan rises above the Rance Estuary. Visit the medieval ramparts and streets and the English garden.
Le Mont Saint-Michel
55 km from Saint-Malo, the second and most remarkable tourist site in France …
Our hotels in Saint-Malo
Le Grand Hôtel des Thermes *****
Located in front of the Sillon beach, Le Grand Hôtel des Thermes has been part of the great hotel tradition since 1881. Discover this majestic monument facing the sea, its atmosphere “ Belle Epoque” and be enchanted by this exceptional site for a unforgettable stay.
100 Boulevard Hébert | 35400 - Saint-Malo
Tél. +33 299 407 500
Hôtel le Nouveau Monde ****
Just 5 minutes from the train station and the old walled town, the Nouveau Monde immerses you in naval history and the great discoveries … This 4-star hotel offers direct access to the beach, a wellness area (swimming pool, spa, steam room, …), a restaurant, a bar and sea view rooms.
64, Chaussée du Sillon | 35400 Saint-Malo
Tél. 02 99 40 40 00
Résidence Reine Marine ****
This luxurious residence (warm pool, spa, steam room…) offers 66 apartments all fully equipped. Perfect for a family or with your friends, the residence Reine Marine can accommodates up to 6 people in each apartment and offers a direct access to the Minihic beach.
67, Avenue Kennedy | 35400 Saint-Malo
Tél. 02 23 18 48 58