Location: Saint-Malo
Top Things to do in Saint-Malo
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Saint-Malo, France
Saint-Malo, originally built as a walled citadel guarding the mouth of the Rance river, was for centuries home to feared pirates. They’ve all gone to Davy Jones’ Locker, though, and now it’s Brittany’s most-visited city. Walk the bustling streets of the reconstructed old city and the vast beaches, making sure to stop at the Grande Porte, Porte St-Vincent, the town’s castle with its Musée de la Ville and the Grand Aquarium.
Restaurants in Saint-Malo
1. Les Remparts de Saint-Malo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Susan B - Hythe, United Kingdom
We were on a special festive mini cruise organised by our local English marina and after driving to Dinard ( Xmas market), lunch at the port of Dinan we decided to park by the Vauban marina and take a half walk around the ramparts rather than experiences the cobbles and the crowds of the city.
It is easy walking along the ramparts. There are various access stairs and the views over the sea are great.
It was a wintery day but it was popular and most people were well wrapped up and even 1 person was swimming in the open air sea swimming pool ( the week before Xmas with predicted force 10 winds due!)
It was good to hear local carol singers and see the Winter ice rink in action too.
The day was only spoilt by the local dockers who decided at lunch time to strike and we could not board our ship Brittany Ferries’ Pont Aven for our journey home and our special ore Xmas meal.
2. Promenade du Clair de Lune
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 681 reviews
Reviewed By Mark S - Willunga, Australia
We started out at Plage du Prieure where plenty of free parking is available. Had coffee in a lovely outdoor cafe overlooking the piscine (swimming pool). Then walked along the Promenade du Claire de Lune - lovely on a sunny day. Up around the headland to Pointe du Moulinet and on to the Plage de l'Ecluse - wonderful villas and luxury hotels. Recommended!
3. Plage du Sillon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Dudley H - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Low tide nice walk to the island outpost that help guard the port. Then sit and enjoy the beach actives, sand sailing, kite skiing/sailing, suffering
4. Pointe du Moulinet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By weberwest - Bellingham, Washington
We started our walk at the beach and then advanced towards the Chemin de Ronde du Moulinet. First nice beach views, then a narrower path leads into slightly hilly terrain with view over the bay and the majestic homes at the other end of the bay. Eventually we rounded the promotory and across another bay, Saint-Malo came into view, and with it the estuary of the Rance river. Great walk for photography - of the actions at the beach, the bay, and particularly the silhouette of Saint-Malo. To potograph Saint-Malo, a walk in the afternoon would be more recommendable, as then the sun will be at the back.
5. GR 34
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By David B L - Los Angeles, California
Remarkable drive along the Brittant / Normandy coastline. We drove over from Mont St. Michel & caught the GR 34 & loved it. Picturesque sights & stops along the way. Drive it or walk it - you'll enjoy...
6. Plage de l'Ecluse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By Bobbledog - Rochdale, United Kingdom
A centre of town family beach with good clean sand and safe bathing. Lots of facilities and services. It can get busy at holiday times especially weekends and parking nearby is limited. You can park in the residential streets a little inland and walk through the shops and restaurants to the beach.
7. La Cite d'Aleth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By John C - Melbourne, Australia
We spent 4 nights in St Malo staying in area roughly between the Solidor Tower and Ferry Terminal in Saint-Servan. We had self-contained accommodation and visited the northern Beaches of St Malo and Dinnard by car when we had it and then spent the rest of the time walking to the Intra-Muros and the ramparts, to the Solidor tower and around the area of la Cite. Within the park area of la Cite (or more specifically la Cite d’Alet) is the memorial 39-45 where German armaments and underground complex were built over an old medieval fort in WWII. It was interesting to view the steel observation cupolas that were pock-marked with mortar or artillery shells when US troops stormed up the hill from the land-side. It’s a great walk around from the beach along Quai Solidor adjacent to the Solidor Tower, then from the Tower climbing up the path surrounding the park area of the la Cite with the view toward Dinnard, entering the 39-45 memorial area and then climbing down the other side of the park, with the view of the walls of the Intra-Muros and the ferry terminal. From that view-point in the park there is the remains of an old Roman wall. St Malo is a great place to walk around and we were pretty lucky to have dropped off a hire car after the first night as a petrol strike had started. On leaving, we were able to walk to the ferry terminal 10-15 min from where we were staying in Saint-Servan, to travel to Portsmouth. We found St Malo pretty relaxing with a walk like that around la Cite d’Alet.
8. Le Grand Be
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By JohnPaul2010 - Dubai
I confess that I hardly spent 10 minutes swimming. The water was probably as warm as 18°C. But the warm sun was encouraging me to do so and this gave me strenghth and energy to continue our journey to Normandy then Paris.
9. Demeure de Corsaire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By Lisa B - Paris, France
We attended a private function (wedding party) in this most unusual and spectacular place.
Beautiful courtyard and lovely reception rooms on main floor.
Each level tells a different story.
Down one, beautiful stone walled rooms, perfect for a delicious dinner for many guests. Slit windows towards the ceilings, and full French doors to stairs back up to front and back courtyards.
The great surprise is downstairs, with four or five stone walled rooms. Desert, then dancing...awesome place!
10. Villa les Roches Brunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By cuartodetula - Marlborough, United Kingdom
This typical and rather magnificent villa was the owner's legacy to a town he loved. It houses various Exhibitions. Last year we feasted our eyes on the fantastic Otero paintings but this year we were hosted by French wine magnate Bernard Magrez who wished to share his art collection with the public. Whilst pleasant with a range of modern media on show (and with the inclusion of two Bernard Buffet paintings), the exhibition itself is nothing to write home about. The setting, however, is exceptional particularly on a sunny day and you cannot fail to be seduced by the magnificent sea views of this exceptionally beautiful region (shame about the modern St Malo harbour but the local economy needs it!)
