Saint-Malo Things to Do Tips by Goner

St. Malo Beach

St. Malo has a very impressive tidal range. Spring-tides sometimes rise 15 metres above low-water level, and the sea sometimes washes over the ramparts. I read where the tidal waves are some of the largest in the world. In August when we were there, you could walk out nearly a mile in shallow water to investigate what the tide left behind. The beach area is so large it never seemed crowded. Some people lay among the rocks and other preferred the nice sandy beach. The two best beaches are Plage de Bon Secours, near the northern tip of the Vieille Ville, and La Grande Plage du Sillon, a longer stretch of sand at the eastern perimeter of the Vieille Ville.

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Things To Do: The Intra-Muros

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Updated by Goner

on May 4, 2004

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.

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Directions: Inside the city walls.

Things To Do: Fort National

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Updated by Goner

on May 14, 2004

Fort National

As you can see in the picture during low tide you can walk out to the Fort National Monument. The Fort was designed to defend the Malouins from the British and Dutch seeking revenge from the harassment of Malouin pirates on their vessels. It was built in1689 and is used sometimes to house conferences of French high functionaries. The Fort is only reachable at low tide, from Easter to September. It is a genuine bastion built by Vauban, the master architect for fortresses and military constructions. If you exit through its Porte St. Pierre, you will find a public swimming pool.

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Directions: You can see it out in the sea from the walled city.

Things To Do: St. Vincent's Cathedral

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Updated by Goner

on May 15, 2004

Cathedral

We made our way throught the maze of streets to Saint Vincent's cathedral and as we approached we heard beautiful music. We entered the church and found a choir and muscians playing with a full audience. After our eyes became accustomed to the dark we noticed a couple of seats available in the second row . As we made quietly down the aisle my sandle caught in the stone floor and made a slapping sound. I cringed and took a seat. As the music came to a stop, the conductor turned and looked directly at me and made a comment in perfectly English, "can't you tell we are practicing for a concert, must you be so rude" - well, I won't forget St. Vincents Cathedral.... or the French conductor.

Saint Vincents cathedral was built over 7 centuries (the 11th to the 18th) but was only finally completed when the spire was fitted ? in 1987! . It is well known for it's old and new stained glass windows.

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Address: Place J. de Chatillon
Directions: inside the walls

Things To Do: Who discovered Canada?

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Updated by Goner

on May 4, 2004

Cartier Statue

In 1532, the French King Francois went on a pilgrimage to Mont St Michel. On his way back, he asked Jacques Cartier from St Malo to find a path to Asia through North America. The adventurous captain discovered the St Lawrence River and the east coast of Canada, but the severe winter stopped his trip at a place called now Montreal. He traveled back and forth three times with more and more French immigrants who are still, almost five centuries later, the "French cousins from America".

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Things To Do: Chateaubriand - Where's the Beef

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Updated by Goner

on May 21, 2004

Chateaubriand

The most famous inhabitant of St Malo Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand (yes, like the cut of meat) was born in 1768 and lived 9 years in St Malo. He lived for one year in Ohio and visited the Mississippi River and then became Secretary of Foreign affairs in France. Chateaubriand is also know as a famous French author that every French pupil has to study in class.

Legend has it Chateaubriand had a great craving for tender meat and he asked his chef to cook it between two raw steaks to ensure that it remained very bloody and very hot. The nearby H�tel du Ch�teau in Combourg(take the N137 from St-Malo and turn left when you hit the D3) still serves the dish today.

You can see a statue of Chateaubriand at the address listed below. At low tide, it�s a 25-minute stroll to the Ile du Grand-B�, the site of the tomb of Chateaubriand, (1768-1848) marked by a cross. Warnings are posted of the dangers of attempting to return from the island when the tide has risen too far � if you're caught there, there you have to stay.

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Address: Rue de la Crosse

Things To Do: The Walkway

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Written by Goner

on May 14, 2004

Walkway

The walkway (breakwater) extends out nearly a mile. It's a nice refreshing walk in the salt air. When you look back you see some great views of St. Malo, the beach and boats.

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Things To Do: The Museum

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Updated by Goner

on May 21, 2004

View from the Museum

Another highlight is the museum in the Ch�teau de Saint Malo, called the Bastille of the West. Exhibits illustrate the city's most prosperous time during its heydays of piracy, colonialism and slave trading. Various staircases allow access to the ramparts, affording great views over the roof tops and the harbor. Photos mounted along the walls give an idea what the city looked like after the fighting in 1944.

Admission costs 4.40� for adults and 2.20� for students and children 18 and under. It's open daily from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm (closed Mon).

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Phone: tel. 02-99-40-71-57),
Directions: Porte St-Vincent

Things To Do: Porte St Vincent

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Updated by Goner

on May 16, 2004

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.

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Things To Do: The Ramparts

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Written by Goner

on May 16, 2004

The Ramparts