Nesting in Brittany, northwest of France, Saint-Malo is a fascinating port city that exudes an old town kind of vibes. It showcases expansive granite walls and gorgeous stone structures that add charm to the city. Located in the heart of Saint-Malo is the Romanesque-inspired church called Saint-Malo Cathedral. Check out this significant heritage site and marvel at the beauty of its stained glass windows when you visit this side of France. While in the city, you should also not miss the Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo, Fort National, Grand Bé, and other top-visited attractions. For a more in-depth guide of the best things to do in Saint-Malo, France check out this informational article. Feel free to browse below.
1. Visit the Saint-Malo Cathedral for a true Saint-Malo experience
There’s no way you should miss out visiting the Saint-Malo Cathedral while you are in the city. This cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in Saint-Malo and has been visited by tourists around France and the world. It showcases majestic architecture and intricate details that will leave you breathless. When you visit the cathedral, be sure to take as many souvenir photos as you can.
Saint-Malo Cathedral
Address: 12 Rue Saint-Benoist, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Saint-Malo Cathedral
Opening hours: Tue - Thu, Sat: 6:30pm; Fri: 6pm; Sun: 11am (no mass on Mon)
2. Travel back in time at the Saint-Malo Walls
Showcasing fascinating stone walls, castles, and fortresses, Saint-Malo in France is popular for its old-town vibes and medieval architecture. The Saint-Malo walls play an important part in the city’s history and architecture and up until the present time, tourists take comes to the city to see these historic walls and take amazing pictures of them. The walls tell a story of war and victory and the foundation of the walled-city called Saint-Malo.
Saint-Malo Walls
Address: Saint-Malo, Brittany, France
3. Make the most of the warm summer days at the Grande Plage du Sillon
If your idea of a perfect vacation is a day at the beach with your family or your lover, why don’t you visit the Grande Plage du Sillon and set up a picnic by the beach? Imagine long walks on a sandy shore while marveling at the beauty of the picturesque views. Plus, you can see the beautiful architecture of the city from the Grande Plage du Sillon. Don’t forget to bring sunblock, and everything else will definitely be worthwhile.
Grande Plage du Sillon
Address: Brittany, France
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4. Discover the Chateau de Saint-Malo
Connected to the Quic-en-Groigne tower, the Chateau de Saint-Malo is a famous tower and iconic landmark in Saint-Malo that symbolizes power in ancient times. Its design is strategic to protect the royals from danger. It was constructed in the year 1395 and is now used as the home of the town hall and the city’s History and Ethnography Museum. If you happen to visit Saint-Malo, don’t miss out on this fascinating landmarks with great significance to the city’s history.
Chateau de Saint-Malo
Address: Place Chateaubriand, 35400 St-Malo
Website: Chateau de Saint-Malo
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 12:30pm, 2pm - 6pm; Mon: 10am - 12pm, 2pm - 6pm
Price: From 3.36 USD
5. Soak in the tranquility of the Grand Parc de la Briantais
Showcasing a majestic 17th-century chateau and gorgeous vast lawns, this peaceful and beautiful park is a must visit tourist attraction in Saint-Malo, France. You will see the beautiful cityscape and the estuary of Rance from this location. Enjoy a day of marveling at the beauty of architecture and nature in one in the Grand Parc de la Briantais. To top it all off, it is free admission for everyone.
Grand Parc de la Briantais
Address: 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Grand Parc de la Briantais
Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)
Price: Free admission
6. Tour the oceanside Sculptured Rocks carved into the granite
Aside from its medieval architecture and old-town vibes, Saint-Malo is also popular for its fascinating artifacts, stone walls, and unique sculptured rocks. If you want to see these iconic symbols of the city’s culture and art, head over the Chemin des Rochers Sculptés. These rocks are masterpieces of a deaf and mute priest Abbé Fouré in the years 1839 to 1910. He used the granite of a cliff to carve and create the work of art.
Sculptured Rocks
Address: Chemin des Rochers Sculptés, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Sculptured Rocks
Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 10am - 12pm, 2pm - 6pm (closed on Wed)
Price: From 2.80 USD
7. Pay homeage to the romantic writer Chateaubriand at Grand Bé
Located near Saint-Malo, Grand Bé is a charming little tidal island that nests in the heart of the Rance River. It is a popular island where the romantic writer Chateaubriand used to live and create his inspirational and romantic novels. He is considered one of the best literary artists that France had ever produced. In the island, aside from picturesque views of the beach, you will also see remains of an ancient fort.
Grand Bé
Address: Saint-Malo, France
Website: Grand Bé
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Unleash your adventurous spirit by hiking through the beautiful landscapes of GR-34
There’s nothing more exciting than discovering Saint-Malo’s landscape and breathtaking nature by taking a hike at the GR-34 route. This route is a popular hiking destination. It is safe and boasts of wonderful sights and exotic flora. If you and your friends love hiking, you should try this route and make wonderful memories that are just one for the books. Don’t forget to bring your smartphones for photo souvenirs.
GR-34
Address: Saint-Malo, France
9. Tour the lavish Malouinières that the ship-owners left behind
Saint-Malo, France has lots of lavish Malouinières throughout the city. Most of them were built by ship-owners in the 17th century and were abandoned as time went by. Some of them are even too lavish that will make you wonder why they were left behind. During the month of September, Saint-Malo conducts these “Heritage Days” that allow tourists to visit these stunning Malouinières.
Malouinières
Address: Saint-Malo, France
10. Dig deep into the Canadian history at the Jacques Cartier Museum
Jacques Cartier Museum is a legacy of the retired seaman named Jacques Cartier. Jacques Cartier was a legendary explorer of the Renaissance era. He was the one to discover Canada and open France to the rest of the North American countries. He was a native of Saint-Malo and decided to retire and spend his last days on earth in this property now known as the Jacques Cartier Museum.
Jacques Cartier Museum
Address: Manoir de Limoëlou, Rue David Macdonald Stewart, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Jacques Cartier Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am -11:30am, 2:30pm - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)
Price: From 13.70 USD
11. Explore the bunkers and park at Memorial 39/45
Learn more about the history of the fascinating Saint-Malo by visiting the Memorial 39/45. This landmark is a remarkable museum that provides tourists with a glimpse of WWII in the past. It showcases bunkers, armories, and hidden passages and weaponry. The way to the museum is a pleasant one and there is plenty of open spaces where you can roam around and take souvenir pictures.
Memorial 39/45
Address: Allée Gaston Buy, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Memorial 39/45
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 2pm - 4:30pm; Thu - Sun: 10am - 10:30am, 2pm - 4:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: From 6.70 USD
12. Soak in the views at La Cite d'Aleth
Nesting adjacent to the sea, La Cite d'Aleth is a charming tourist destination in Saint-Malo that showcases a majestic view of the Dinard, Estuary of Rance, Solidor Tower, the Bay of Saint-Malo, and others. This destination is ideal for swimming, watersports, picnic, and even souvenir shopping and trying out restaurants. You can also see here an 18th-century fort that used to be a German base during WWII.
La Cite d'Aleth
Address: Allée Gaston Buy, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: La Cite d'Aleth
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: From 4.20 USD
13. Try your luck at Casino Barriere de Saint-Malo
If you have extra time to spare and extra cash to burn during your Saint-Malo visit, why don’t you try your luck at the Casino Barriere de Saint-Malo? Enjoy a few spins at the slot machine or a few rounds of blackjack and poker. You can also roll and be lucky at the roulette. Plus, this casino has an on-site restaurant and bar. Come and visit because who knows, the day you come might be your lucky day.
Casino Barriere de Saint-Malo
Address: 2 Chaussée du Sillon, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Casino Barriere de Saint-Malo
Opening hours: 10am - 3am (daily)
14. Visit the tomb of François René Chateaubriand
François René Chateaubriand was a famous French writer and an icon of literature in France. He is the founder of Romanticism in France and some of his famous works include Mémoires d'Outre-Tombe, Les Aventures du Dernier Abencerage, The Genius of Christianity or the Spirit and Beauty of the Christian Religion, and hundreds more. He was a native of Saint-Malo and his resting place is at the majestic Grand Bé. If you have extra time, try to drop by and pay a visit to the tomb of this legendary man.
Tomb Of François René Chateaubriand
Address: Grand Bé, Saint-Malo, France
15. Shop seafood delicacies at Sarl Tombelaine Coquillages
Saint-Marl is a fascinating port city. Aside from charming medieval architecture and old town vibes, there is another thing that they are extra proud of - their fresh seafood. If you love seafood as much as most people in the world, there is a fantastic place in Saint-Malo that you should visit, the Sarl Tombelaine Coquillages. Located on the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, you will be greeted by mouthwatering shellfishes, mussels, oysters, and more that are ready to be cooked and feasted on.
Sarl Tombelaine Coquillages
Address: 17 Quai Duguay-Trouin, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Sarl Tombelaine Coquillages
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9:45am - 12:45pm; Sun: 9:45am - 12:45pm
16. Treat your eyes at the Long Course and Cape Horniers
Treat your eyes at the Long Course and Cap Horniers. One of the most majestic landmarks in Saint-Malo is the remarkable Long cours et Cap Horniers. It is a marvelous coastal area with a fascinating medieval fortress that looks like its guarding the waters. The story of the tower is actually related to the mariners that once traveled and sailed the Cape Horn. You should check it out and see significant artifacts that are definitely food for thirsty thought. Not to mention, the gulf is another sight for sore eyes.
Long Course and Cap Horniers
Address: Quai Solidor, 35400, Saint-Malo, France
17. Satisfy your foodie soul at Restaurant Gilles St. Malo
If you are looking for a place to celebrate an important occasion or just a regular dinner, you might wanna try Restaurant Gilles St Malo. It features a semi-fancy setting with a romantic vibe that will make you savor every bite of your food. Restaurant Gilles St. Malo has been in operation for almost 25 years now, serving mouthwatering French cuisine dishes to its customers. Plus, they guarantee that their ingredients are from carefully sourced local producers.
Restaurant Gilles St. Malo
Address: 2 Rue de la Pie Qui Boit, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Restaurant Gilles St Malo
Opening hours: Fri - Tue: 12pm - 2pm, 7pm - 9:30pm; Thu: 7pm - 9:30pm (closed on Wed)
18. Explore the white-tip and black-tip sharks at the Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo
Thinking of a fantastic tourist destination to bring your kids while in Saint-Malo France? If so, why don’t you bring them to the Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo and watch them marvel at the beauty or friendly and rare water animals? This delightful museum features different aquariums that represent the different habitats of the animals from the Meditteranean room to the Atlantic Room to Tropical room and more. Visit Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo with your family and enjoy discounts.
Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo
Address: Rue du Général Patton, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo
Opening hours: 11am - 7pm (daily)
Price: From 11.20 USD
19. Make the most of the night time at L'Alchimiste
If you are in the mood for some casual drinking, visit L'Alchimiste and enjoy a night socializing and making friends at the L'Alchimiste. The L'Alchimiste is a charming bar with a lovely laid back ambiance. Whether you are a beer kind of person or the cocktail type, L'Alchimiste is ready to be of service to you. Plus, there is delightful live music that adds color to your night. Both locals and tourists frequent this wonderful establishment.
L'Alchimiste
Address: 7 Rue Saint-Thomas, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: L'Alchimiste
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 7pm - 2am (closed on Mon)
Stunning Saint-Malo
A fascinating port city in France, Saint-Malo is a stunning city with an old town vibe and a rich heritage. It boasts of fascinating history ready to be told and its landmarks are definitely a must-visit. If you are a curious tourist, make sure to remember this article by heart and use it as your guide to making your Saint-Malo visit a more worthwhile and memorable experience.
History
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