10 Top Things To Do In Saint-Malo, France

Are you looking for the best things to do in Saint-Malo?

Saint-Malo was named after the Welsh monk Malo, also known as Maclou or Mac’h Low, who founded this commune in the 6th century.

Situated in Îlle-et-Vilaine in France’s Brittany region, Saint-Malo is a very popular tourist destination. It is, in fact, the most visited place in the region and it’s not hard to see why.

10 Top Things To Do In Saint-Malo, France

Read on to find out the top 10 things to do and see in Saint-Malo.

1. Explore La Ville Intra-Muros (walled city) of Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is a medieval city with a complex and bloody history. The tall granite walls that surround the old town was a former stronghold for privateers who were pirates approved by the king.

However, the walled city that we see today is just a replica of the former medieval city prior to World War 2.

On August 6, 1944, Saint-Malo was almost completely destroyed by the heavily bombings of the Allies to drive out the German troops.

After the war, reconstruction of the city was proposed. It was completely rebuilt to its original aesthetic in 1960.

Stroll through the cobblestoned streets of this reconstructed historical district and journey back in time at the splendid 18th-century corsair mansions and the 13th-century Saint-Vincent Cathedral. The Old Town is also filled with quaint bars and restaurants, as well as arts and crafts shops.

Please remember to drop by the Tourist Office on Esplanade Saint-Vincent to get a guide map before navigating the maze of streets of Saint-Malo Intra-Muros.

2. Walk on the Saint Malo ramparts

Saint-Malo extends far beyond its walls.

Take a walk on its ramparts to see the city and its surroundings from a different angle. The 2-km walkway overlooks Saint-Malo, with its houses and statues of famous Saint-Malo privateers and ship owners and other interesting sights. It has broad lanes and nice places where you can stop to rest.

Whether you walk quickly or at a leisurely pace, you will enjoy the views of the sea, the lovely beaches, and the old city. Add its history and it becomes an absolute must-visit. A couple of hours is suggested to fully enjoy walking on the Saint-Malo ramparts.

3. Learn privateering, weaponry, and shipping history at the Privateer’s House 

La Demeure de Corsaire (the Privateer’s House), a local history museum, is an imposing mansion with splendid interior owned by a wealthy Saint-Malo privateer called François-Auguste Magon. Built around 1725, it is one of Saint-Malo’s significant historic sites and monuments.

Magon’s house is open to the public with exhibits related to Saint-Malo’s privateering history. In case you’re wondering, Saint-Malo’s privateers were sort of like “legal pirates” – approved by the king.

Full-fare costs € 6.5 to visit the Privateer’s House.

Address: 5 Rue d’Asfeld, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 2 99 56 09 40
Website: www.demeure-de-corsaire.com

4. Get to know the man who discovered Canada

Here’s another proof of just how significant seafaring is in the history of Saint-Malo. It was literally a city of pirates and some mariners like Jacques Cartier really made it big back in the day. It is one of the must-see places in Saint Malo.

Manoir de Limoëlou was the summer residence of Jacques Cartier, the man who discovered Canada.

Its interior has been redecorated with period furniture and numerous rooms now functioning the way they would have back in Cartier’s time (16th century). It is now a museum where you will learn about the life and explorations of the French navigator.

Manoir de Limoëlou, also known as Musée Jacques Cartier, is a short drive or a bus ride from the walled city.

The friendly guides will speak mostly in French, but worry not: you will be provided an English guidebook which pretty much contains everything the tour guide will cover.

Admission fee is 6 euros.

Address: Rue David Macdonald Stewart, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 2 99 40 97 73
Website: www.musee-jacques-cartier.fr

5. Ride a mini-submarine in Saint-Malo

The Grand Aquarium is a fun activity in Saint Malo, especially if you have kids in tow.

Ride the Nautibus for a submarine-ride experience and have close encounters with sharks and the rest of the 11,000 marine animals housed there.

The Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo is the second most visited tourist destination in the Brittany region. With that being said, you may want to book ahead online to skip the queue.

Entrance is free for children under 4 and costs 12 euros for kids aged 4 to 12. For everyone else, ticket price is 16-17 euros.

Address: Rue du Général Patton, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 2 99 21 19 00
Website: www.aquarium-st-malo.com

6. Walk through the maze of the Labyrinthe du Corsaire

There is another attraction that you and your kids will love in the southern outskirts of Saint-Malo. There’s quite a handful of play areas to keep them entertained. There’s also a food and drink hut which is rather basic but serves its purpose.

The Labyrinthe du Corsaire is a maze made of corn fields with castles scattered throughout. It is one of the largest attraction parks of this kind in Europe.

However, please note that while the mazes themselves are pleasant, the Engish translations make them hard to follow. Also, the maze gets muddy when it rains so try to come on a sunny day.

Entry tickets are 12 euros for adults and 9 euros for children.

Address: Route de Quelmer – La Passagère, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 2 99 81 17 23
Website: www.labyrintheducorsaire.com

7. Go on a kayak excusion to Saint-Malo’s islands of Petit Bé and Grand Bé

This fun water activity in these tidal islands can be enjoyed by your whole family.

Île du Petit Bé is a cultural landmark housing a 17th-century fort which was made a Monument historique (national heritage site) in 1921. It is best visited at low tide so you can walk to the island from Bon-Secours beach.

Close by is the larger Île du Grand Bé, your first stop to reach Petit Bé. It is home to the ruins of an ancient fort and the tomb of the French author François-René de Chateaubriand, a Saint-Malo native.

Tides rise quickly on Grand Bé, so make sure to pay careful attention so you don’t get caught on the island.

8. Trek to the Sculptured Rocks

Les Rochers Sculptés are oceanside sculptures carved into the granite by abbot Adolphe Julien Fouéré from 1894 to 1907. You will see fishermen, pirates, mythical creatures, and sea monsters among these sculptures.

A famous face to behold is the French explorer and navigator Jacques Cartier, as well as famous Breton saints like Saint Budoc.

You will have fun searching out these sculptured forms and faces – a perfect example of devotion to hard work. Well worth a visit.

Entrance ticket to the Sculptured Rocks costs 2.5 euros.

Address: Chemin des Rochers Sculptés, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 6 68 98 23 95

9. Visit the Pointe de la Varde Natural Park

This protected natural site that rises 32 meters above sea level is a magnificent landscape with history. It was a strategic place for defense against attackers coming from the sea.

A number of fortifications were built over time on the Pointe de la Varde for this reason. You will love the panoramic view of the Saint-Malo Bay from here.

To reach the Pointe de la Varde Natural Park, you can take the bus lines 4 and 8.

10. Take a sailing lesson in Saint-Malo. 

This is an interesting activity to do in this beautiful destination. If you’re interested in sailing or windsurfing, Saint-Malo has schools that will teach you how to windsurf and sail dinghies and catamarans. This is perhaps the most interesting way to enjoy Saint-Malo’s teal-colored waters.

Here are some of the sailing schools in Saint-Malo:

Bateau Ecole De Saint-Malo Permis Bateau
Address: 49 Quai Duguay-Trouin, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 2 99 40 95 60
Website: www.bateauecoledesaintmalo.fr

La Mer Et Nous
Address: 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 6 11 13 09 91
Website: www.lameretnous.com

Abeps – Auto Boat School Plaisance Services
Address: 19 Rue des Bas Sablons, 35400 Saint-Malo
Phone: +33 2 23 52 33 58
Website: www.abeps.fr

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