Hotel Alba

St. Malo, City of Beautiful Beaches

by Goner

A friend at work told me about Saint Malo, otherwise I would never have known it existed. There isn't much about it in any of the tour books about it being a very popular bathing resort, so don?t expect to find a hotel room there during Europe?s vacation time, they are non-existent. This town of 50,000 swells to 200,000 during the summer months, the closest lodging we could find was in Rennes. Even though there were no rooms in Saint Malo, but it was worth commuting by train from Rennes to visit this beautiful resort town on the Brittany coast. St. Malo by far has the best beach in France and I can see why it's such a popular destination; not only do you have the emerald waters but an enormous sandy beach with tide pools and a medieval town to explore.

Walk the Ramparts

by hquittner

Of course, this is why you have come. It takes a good hour. Instinctively, you procede clockwise heading south. The wall follows the harbor (Bassin Vaubin) past the Grande Porte to the Bastion St. Louis. This first leg is not a straight path, angling twice. It finally turns right (W; Sablons). At this corner there a few of the original old houses (not destroyed in WWII) but the replacements are so like them that we really could not tell. ( If one wants an interstingexcursion, the suburb of St.-Sevan-sur-Mer is 3km straight ahead south (see under its name). The southern walk continues west (right) ending at the bastion St.-Philippe, where a long breakwater-walkway extends SW shielding the port, the Mole des Noires. As one now heads north a beach appears (Plage du Mol) and then some rocks, followed by a second larger beach (Plage de Bonsecours) that boasts a large in-water swimming pool (piscine). Just beyond are some closeoff-shore rocks and then a path out to a prominent island the Ile de Grand-Be and beyond that in the water a further 300km, the Petit Be with a fort. We did not go out there but there are Tips by others (also see our Tip: Dangers>Tide, about the logistics with pictures). The Tour Bidouane and its Bastion end this side with a detour to the Maison de Quebec and statues. The turn leads east (left) along the North border facing the sea. The first glance is at a spit of rocks leading to the Fort National (also visitable at low tide), followed by a large beach (Grande Plage) which extends past the castle (where the walk ends), the Casino and on to Parame and a drivable distance to the Pointe de Grouin. (we have a Tip on the latter under Bretagne>Off the Beaten Path but there are several others scattered around). There are many ways (Portes) to leave the walk and descend into the town and escape if you tire of this activity.

St Vincent's Cathedral

by Kate-Me

The Cathedral has some beautiful stained glass windows and houses the remains of Jacques Cartier, the explorer who discovered Quebec and Canada.

I was particularly surprised to notice that along one side on the outside of the Cathedral, shops have actually been built into the base (see photo 2). I've never seen that before.

Saint Malo and horizon

by Toshioohsako

My dream came true and I finally returned to this beautiful Saint Malo after 20 years or more. I had only a faint memory of the splendid fort city, but, this time, I had a plenty of time to enjoy and explore this town. This Brittany city is really a masterpiece architect. This romantic city tempts you to a deep blue sea stretching far to the horizon and small islands scattered beautifully around the city. The sea at the end of August was warm alluring people to swim.

Saint Malo "fort" city seems symbolized by the past military glory, solid houses and buildings made of solid stones, lively sea city life, the heart opening blue sea and the beautiful sand beaches. Its a city for sea adventurers, a place to escape from the noise and busy city life, and one can deeply breathe a wonderful fresh sea air. Above, all fish and other sea food dishes (plus its own cider drinks!) are here.

Its a corner where one can look down upon over the shinning surface of the deep sea and enormous sand beaches. You can find ways to go down to the beaches from here if you look around and find the best way to walk down. Breath the fresh air here and plan what to do next.

Saint Malo area

by denise16

"St. Malo"

The St. Malo area is a great place to stay , there is loads to see and do and it is a great central location for Brittany & Normany. Easy to get to from the UK.
The walk around the ramparts allows a good view of the old town. The beach is also good even though it is so close to the ferry port and town. There are even better beaches within a 20 minute drive of the town

"Around St. Malo"

You can drive across the hydroelectric dam and go into Dinard with its English influences and blue and white striped beach huts. Go just a little further and you get to some wonderful sandy beaches.
Don't forget to visit the cider farms or try the crepes.

"Oddities"

About 20 minutes from St. Malo is Rotheneuf and its strange Rocher scupltures, carved into the cliff side, by a monk about 90 years ago. The are worth a scramble over, the weather is starting to take its toll.