Things to Do in Saint-Malo

by sue_stone,
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stained glass

Located in the old town, the impressive Cathedrale St-Vincent dominates the St-Malo skyline. The cathedral was constructed between the 12th & 18th centuries. It was damaged in 1944 by bombing, but rebuilt by the early 1970's and given a nice new spire. There is a mosaic on the floor which marks the spot that, back in 1535, Jacques Cartier was blessed before sailing forth on his voyage of discovery to Canada. His tomb (only containing his head these days) is located in a cathedral, in a chapel close to the choir. Inside there are also some lovely stained glass windows. It is free to visit the cathedral, and we found it to be a nice quiet place for reflection when we visited.

Address: Place J. de Châtillon


	Ramparts	Tip Rating:

By sue_stone

on July 25, 2006

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enjoying the views from the
Ramparts

St-Malo has a fabulous old city which is surrounded by some very solid looking ramparts (walls). So solid are they that much of them survived the bombings in 1944 when around 80% of the old city was destroyed. The walls are a few metres wide and were built over several centuries. You can walk around the top of the walls, a full circuit is about 2km. There are several places that you can access the walls, and there is no charge. From the top of the walls there are not only great views across the old town, but magnificent views across the bay and small islands at the mouth of the River Rance. You can also check out one of St-Malo's beaches, and watch the ferries arrive from the UK.

Website: http://www.saint-malo.fr/en/index.php4


	Intra-muros	Tip Rating:

on October 27, 2004

Unknown Madonna

This is the old walled city and very picturesque both from within and as you view it from a distance. The streets are narrow and filled with all kinds of shops and restaurants. The ramparts are intact and you can climb up and walk virtually the whole perimeter of the old city. The small things are sometimes as interesting as the big attractions and this Madonna fits that category for me. I have no idea of its significance, but found it very appealing set in an arched recess above one of the old city gates. You can get great views of the sea and the small off coast (at high tide) islands.


	Wander the ramparts	Tip Rating:

on October 28, 2004

Part of the ramparts

You can go all the way around the old city (Intra-muros) on the ramparts. It affords great views of the bay and some of the little islands, views of the old walls and severa statues of historic personages. There are also several places where you can descend onto the beach but beware of fast moving tides which can be quite high at times.


	St. Vincent's Cathedral	Tip Rating:

on October 28, 2004

St. Vincent's at the end
of a narrow street

This church dates its beginning to the 12th C but has a mixture of several architectural styles. It is a quiet place to explore and admire a wonderful rose window as well as other stained glass. The church is set in the middle of the narrow intra-muros streets so it is difficult to get a good view or photo, but the spire can be seen from all around the ramparts. The church is actually no longer a bishopric but the locals still designate it as a cathedral. It was severely damaged in WWII but has been very nicely restored. Its major "inhabitant" is Jaques Cartier, born in St. Malo in 1491, whose tomb is within. He made several royally sponsored voyages up the St. Lawrence in Canada in search of a passage to the Pacific. He never found it, but was the first to explore and map this region and is generally regarded as the "discoverer" of Canada.

Directions: Close to the center of the Intra-muros


	Mont Saint Michel	Tip Rating:

Updated By rexvaughan

on November 8, 2004

Wow!

This 250 foot piece of magnificence greets you from a distance. It is a one of a kind sight and has been welcoming pilgrims of various kinds (religious then, more secular now) for about 1000 years. In my opinion the best thing here is the abbey seen as you approach it, but it is well worth going up the few hundred steps to explore the whole thing. The island only has 30 residents and one street which Rick Steves very accurately calls "the most touristy street this side of Tijuana." Its character may have always been this as it probably has been filled with pilgrims for centuries, and even in the past everyone probably wanted some souvenir of the journey.


	Museum of History	Tip Rating:

Updated By rexvaughan

on June 22, 2006

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Museum entrance

This museum concerns the history of the city and is housed in the old city hall which is a grand old castle. The central tower is from the 15th C. It is an excellent display on St. Malo's past with very good paintings, busts of illustrious figures, model ships, armor and some archeological items. The entrance shown here is just inside the main gate into the intra-muros. You can also get some great views from the tower of the museum.

Phone: 02 99 40 71 57


	The Intra-Muros	Tip Rating:

Updated By Goner

on May 5, 2004

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Saint Malo Street

The Intra-Muros (meaning within the walls) has a walled medieval nucleus with narrow cobblestone streets. The streets are fascinating to explore and have street names that translate as Dancing Cat and Fat Calf. Many of the building house hotels, eateries and some amazing art stores. The buildings look as though they have been there since the 14th century, however much of the city of damaged from World War II and has been rebuilt.

Directions: Inside the city walls.


	Mont St. Michel Cloister	Tip Rating:

on November 8, 2004

Picture from silent
cloister

I think the Benedictine monks who lived here 10 centuries ago were under a vow of silence. It should have been easy at times - after climbing all the stairs to the abbey they probably didn't have enough breath left to speak. Actually this beautiful spot in the cloisters inspires silence. I did not hear anyone speaking as we walked through and admired the view through the pillars at the spires of the church. There are not a great many "things to see" up here, but it is worth the trip for the atmosphere and reflection on how it would have been to be a monk building this structure, hauling rock long distances before there was a bridge and then getting them high into their proper places.


	Porte St Vincent	Tip Rating:

Updated By Goner

on May 17, 2004

by Goner
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Entrance to the Intra-Muros

The Porte St. Vincent is entrance we took to enter the Intra-muros. It's quit impressive, looking like the entrance to a great fort and next to this is the Musee de la Ville Grand Donjon built in 1424 and the Hotel de Ville. However, it's the Grand Porte which is considered the main entrance. There is no entrance fee for the Intra-Muros as many hotels are located within the intra-muros as well as full-time residents. There is parking in front of and across the street from the entrance.