Best Places to visit in Saint Malo and Best things to do. Walking through the cobbled streets of St Malo’s old town feels like you’ve stepped back in time. This popular tourist destination and busy ferry port offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Brittany’s important seafaring past.
Brittany is a cultural region in the west of France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica during the period of Roman occupation. Below you will find Saint Malo travel guide.
Best places to visit in Saint Malo
1. The ramparts: ancient city enclosure made up of towers (14th to 15th centuries), curtain walls and bastions from the 17th and 18th centuries
Some houses are still intact after the bombings of 1944. Beyond the Great Gate you’ll find a view over the narrow isthmus which links the old town to the suburbs.
2. The castle: large keep (1424), the Générale tower (1475), Quic-en-Groigne tower (1498 – 1501), and Dames et des Moulins tower (16th century)
Construction of St. Malo Castle started in 1424 by John V, Duke of Brittany, with the purpose of ensuring his hold over the town of Saint-Malo. John began by building a D-shaped keep at the east corner of the walled island town where an isthmus was the only crossing point between the town and the mainland at that time. His keep incorporated a part of the 14th century town walls and a wall tower.
3.Fort National, built by Vauban and Garangeau (That’s one of the best places to visit in Saint Malo)
While visiting St Malo, you will have the chance to discover amazing historical monuments, as the Fort national, symbol of the Corsair City. Historical monument built in 1689 by the great military architect Vauban to protect the port of St Malo, the history is very closely linked to the corsair city.
4. Petit Bé Fort (‘the best and most beautiful of all our forts’, Vauban 1695)
Fort Petit-Bé, locally known as Fort du Petit-Bé, lies on a small tidal island, in front of the city of Saint-Malo, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in France.
5. The cathedral of Saint-Vincent (That’s one of the best places to visit in Saint Malo)
Viviers Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in the town of Viviers in the department of Ardèche, France. It is the seat of the Bishop of Viviers.
6. The 16th century Solidor tower, with three linked towers
Solidor Tower is a fortified dungeon, situated at the mouth of the Rance, opposite Dinard. It is composed of three towers linked together by short curtain walls.
7. The 18th century Cité d’Alet fort (That’s one of the best places to visit in Saint Malo)
Constructed in the mid-18th century, Fort de la Cité d’Alet was used as a German base during WWII; one of the bunkers now houses this memorial, which depicts St-Malo’s violent WWII history and liberation. A visit is an evocative and moving experience.
8. The churches of Sainte-Croix and Saint-Ideuc
This Roman Catholic church of the 18th century is located in Saint-Servan. It stands out in the landscape with its blue granite architecture and its square tower surmounted by a dome. Inside are 2 organs classified as historical monuments.