Fort National is accessible only at low tide; Plage du Sillon is a three-kilometre-long sandy beach. These two details show how different a stay in Saint-Malo can be: you can focus on historic buildings, experience the coast, or combine both. When choosing places to visit, it is worth first considering tidal access, then choosing between history, nature and activities.
City Walls, Forts and Historic Buildings
The city walls of Saint-Malo have been listed as a historic monument since 1886. The protection dates for Fort National are more specific: the fort was listed on 17 May 1906, and the surrounding walls received a separate listing on 20 August 1913. Its layout helps put the site in context: the fort has a double enceinte, with a barracks for the troops in the second. A guided visit explains its history and shows both enclosures. Access is possible only at low tide, so check the tide timetable before your visit.
The Îlot du Grand Bé also brings together the history of a monument and access that depends on the tide. Chateaubriand’s tomb and the Îlot du Grand Bé complex were listed as historic monuments by decree on 24 November 1954. From Bon Secours beach, the island can be reached for only a few hours each day at low tide; it offers panoramic views of the corsair city. The fort is also accessible only at low tide, while Grand Bé has the additional restriction of a short daily access window. Plan your visits to both sites around the tides.
Tour Solidor offers another perspective on Saint-Malo’s history. It and its outlying structures have been listed as historic monuments since 12 July 1886. Construction appears to have begun at the end of the 14th century at the behest of Duke Jean IV of Brittany, to control Saint-Malo. At the beginning of the 15th century, Duke Jean V had Tour Solidor extensively remodelled.
Jacques Cartier and the History of the Bunkers
Manoir de Limoëlou is the only surviving heritage site associated with Jacques Cartier. He was from Saint-Malo and discovered Canada in 1534. The restored and furnished manor illustrates the everyday life and voyages of its former owner. Here, the focus is on Cartier himself, while Tour Solidor and Fort National tell stories mainly of architectural, defensive and urban history. Guided tours of Manoir Jacques Cartier date back to 1984.
MĂ©morial 39/45 offers a different perspective on the past. It is housed in bunkers built in the courtyard of a former 18th-century fort. The tour takes visitors through a three-storey air-defence bunker. This adds a site focused on its bunker construction and tour to the exploration of history.
Coast, Nature and Trails
Pointe de la Varde is a protected natural area 32 metres above sea level, offering expansive views over the Bay of Saint-Malo. Visitors are directed along a single path so that vegetation can grow in areas where people do not walk. Stay on the designated path during your visit. At Plage du Sillon, by contrast, the expansive beach is the main attraction: it is Saint-Malo’s largest beach and stretches for three kilometres. It offers good conditions for kite-flying, land sailing and windsurfing; what is possible in practice also depends on the conditions and the service providers.
For a planned hike, the designated GR®34 route from Saint-Malo to Dinard is an option: it starts in Saint-Malo, is 14.4 kilometres long and is rated moderate. Check current trail conditions before setting out. The Cité d'Alet peninsula lies along this route and offers views of the Rance estuary, the city, the Bay of Saint-Malo and Dinard. It is also home to numerous Second World War bunkers. Here, coastal views meet military relics from the Second World War.
A Different Focus: the Grand Aquarium
As another option, the Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo turns the spotlight on the seas and oceans of the world. It showcases 10,000 fish from 600 species across ten themed worlds; these figures may change. The Nautibus experience uses a simulator for a descent to a depth of 300 metres, followed by a ride in small submarines. As the attraction’s configuration may change, check what is currently included before your visit. The aquarium can therefore be considered a distinct itinerary highlight alongside historic buildings, the coast and walking trails.
Discover more destinations: La Chapelle-Chaussée, Sougéal, Gahard, Saint-Suliac, Pleurtuit, Mellé, Monthault, Saint-Gilles.
For the main travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
