Hotels in Saint-Malo

A stunning city by the sea, Saint-Malo is a place in France where you come to rejuvenate your senses. The walled city is right at the tip of Brittany and is rich in culture and heritage. It is also still an active port town that offers every traveller a glimpse of France away from the capital. Visitors will see scenic and dramatic sights depending on the weather. What stays constant would be its world-famous tidal ranges. For adventurers and casual travellers, Saint-Malo will hold its own. This will be a great destination because of its unparalleled location.

How to Get There

Heading to Saint-Malo requires a long period of travel. The closest airport is Dinard Bretagne Airport in Pleurtuit. However, it only services Anglo-Norman islands and England. If you’re arriving from a different location, you would have to go to Rennes Bretagne Airport. It hosts airlines coming in locally and other parts of the world like Europe, America, and Beijing.

Upon arrival, take the 57 Star Bus to get to Place de la République. Line 7 would be your next stop and this takes you to Saint-Malo. A train ride is also available. There are 20 trains a day heading to Saint-Malo. Travel time takes less than an hour. Coming in from Paris, hop on the TER or TGV. It will take three hours of travel to reach the city.

Getting Around

In the city centre, buses will be available to take you around. The system is extensive enough to take you to the beaches. The lines differ in operating hours because some end at 8 PM while others extend until midnight.

Bicycle and scooter rentals are also available through Cycles Nicole. Bike routes are available throughout the city so it would be the best option to explore it if reading bus lines are too complicated.

Top Things to Do

Saint-Malo is an impressive walled city that has been around since the middle ages. In the main city or la citadelle, the Cathedral of St. Vincent dominates the skyline. It is a 15th-century castle that has a municipal museum that tourists can come and visit. You will find a mosaic plaque on the floor where Jacques Cartier received his blessing before going to Canada. If you want a closer look at his life, Musée Jacques Cartier is open to visitors. The museum is housed in the last standing house of Cartier. A guided tour is available that narrates his life and shows all of the tools and navigation equipment he used in his travels.

For those interested in WWII, Saint-Malo has Memorial 39/45 which is an exhibition that recreates life during the war. It is set in a bunker that measures over 500 square meters that has three levels with ten rooms. You’ll see authentic weapons, uniforms, as well as documentation from the film “The Battle of Saint-Malo.” Towards the northeast side of the walls, the Château de Saint-Malo stands tall. It was built by the Dukes of Brittany during the 1400s. It is now home for the Musée d’Histoire de St-Malo which tells the life and history of the city. The lookout tower gives you an unbeatable view of the city as well as its surrounding areas.

A trip to Saint-Malo also means exploring the city’s natural attractions. Most of the visitors take a hike around the old city towards its outskirts. Plage du Sillon is a vast expanse of golden sand that runs from the east of the citadelle. People often go sailing here or families play and fly kites. It offers a good way to stroll around the beach and enjoy the sunshine. It offers an amazing view of the sea and waves crashing against the rock too. During fair weather, you will see people bathing in the rock pools.

Meanwhile, the neighbourhood of Paramé is a must if you are in the area. It is lined with stunning Belle Époque villas that are owned by wealthy holidaymakers. Popular sites are the Villa l‘Argonne on Boulevard Chateaubriand. Villa Remember is also another option because of its exaggerated Flemish architecture. Around the Plage du Sillon, Fort National would be a clear standout. Engineered by Vauban, it has a distinctive star configuration that was placed as the final piece of Saint-Malo’s defense. During the war, it became the makeshift prison of German forces during their occupation. Now, people can enjoy guided tours of the fort.

The Grand Bé is also a stunning site that is a tidal island off the coast. This area is only accessible during low tide where people can take a lovely stroll heading to the islet. Most people often come here to visit the grave of the writer François-Rene de Chateaubriand whose grave faces the sea as he requested 20 years before his passing.

What to Eat

Saint-Malo is also about Briton cuisine. Given its location, seafood should be at the top of your list. Le Chalut is the perfect place for fish and seafood in the city. It is a Michelin-starred restaurant that features high quality, fresh from the boat ingredients. Their specialties include scallop with white truffle if turbot with chanterelles. An all lobster menu is also available.

Another great restaurant to visit is Antour de Beurre. It is famous for its cheese and the restaurant still makes use of 19th-century butter making techniques. They serve butter boards and dishes infused with it. To top it off, the course always ends in having a cheese plate.

Meanwhile, Bistro de Jean is popular with the locals and serves bistro dishes. They have steak, lamb, and duck all the while having a cosy and warm vibe. In general, items to get around the city should be crêpes, galettes, and their famous cider.

Where to Stay

Accommodations in Saint-Malo come easy. The city centre brings you close to shops and restaurants so it offers the most convenient stay. Price ranges also differ and you can just choose based on your budget. A stay near its famous shores would offer a quieter alternative. The city is quite far enough to offer some peace and quiet for those who want a calmer stay.

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