Attractions
The city of Saint-Malo is famous for its old “intramuros” area, for its old churches, castles and cathedrals, but also for the views to the nearby islands and the general atmosphere of very old port city. Needless to say, a tourist will have a lot to see and do in a city like this.
Historic Landmarks
- Saint Malo Castle (Château de St-Malo)
Address: Porte St-Vincent
Open hours: April to September daily 10am to 12:30pm and 2 to 6pm, October to March Tuesday to Sunday 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm
Admission: 4.80€ for adults, 2.40€ for students and children under 19
General info: Also known as the "Bastille of the West", the towers of this ancient structure host the local History Museum (Musée de l’Histoire de St-Malo). You’ll find a lot of interesting information about Saint-Malo’s past, as well as souvenirs of the pirate days, when buccaneers like Duguay-Trouin or Surcouf ruled the ocean.
- Cathédrale St-Vincent
Address: 12 rue St-Benoît
Open hours: daily 9:30am to 6pm
Admission: free
General info: Saint-Malo’s cathedral is rather famous for its 1160-nave vault. The style used in its construction is Angevin or Plantagenet style, marking the elegant transition between Romanesque and Gothic. You’ll also notice the western façade in the Renaissance style, with some additions made in the 18th century (the tower dates from the 15th). The 14th-century choir features a triforium with trefoiled arches and chapels on the flanks.
Tourist Attractions
- Solidor Tower (Tour Solidor)
Location: in Saint-Servan (merged with Saint-Malo in 1967)
General info: This is a strengthened keep made with three assembled towers and located at the Rance river mouth in Brittany. It was built between 1369 and 1382, by the duke Jean IV de Bretagne to keep the Rance under control, in a time when Saint-Malo city did not recognize his authority. During the past centuries, the tower lost its military role and became a jail. It is now a museum about Cape Horn sailors.
- The Fort of Petit Bé
General info: This structure was built in the 17th century. It was part of the defense belt designed by Vauban to protect the city of Saint-Malo from British and Dutch fleets. Proprerty of the French army until 1885, the fort has been returned to the city of Saint-Malo. It became a Monument historique in 1921, but was forsaken until 2000. It is still in renovation but can be visited at low tide.
- the Fort National, visitable at low tide;
- the tomb of Chateuabriand sur l’île du Grand Bé, accessible à marée basse
- the Paramé villas ;
- the ruins of the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre d’Aleth;
- the Gallo-Roman walls of Alet;
- the German base of the Cité;
- the Fort de la Cité and its ancient guard unit in Saint-Servan ;
- the Rochers sculptés (“Sculpted Rocks”), at Rothéneuf;
- the Manor of Jacques Cartier, close to Rothéneuf ;
- the statues of Jacques Cartier, Duguay-Trouin, Surcouf, Chateaubriand, Louis Duchesne in the walled city;
- the Grand Aquarium with its shark ring, close to the city, on the road to Rennes.