In short
- About 55 km (1 hour) west of the Mont, in Brittany.
- Walk the 1.75 km of ramparts around the walled city (intra-muros), free and open daily.
- At low tide, walk out to the Grand Bé (Chateaubriand's tomb) and Fort National – check tide times.
- The old town was about 80% destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt in granite to look as it did.
Why go
Saint-Malo grew rich on the sea: cod fishing, trade with the Indies and, above all, the corsairs – privateers licensed by the king to attack enemy shipping, such as René Duguay-Trouin and Robert Surcouf. The explorer Jacques Cartier, who sailed up the St Lawrence in the 1530s, was born here. Its walled city on a granite island, joined to the mainland by a sandbar, is one of the most striking sights in Brittany.
In August 1944 the battle for Saint-Malo destroyed around 80% of the walled city. It was rebuilt over the following decade in the same granite and largely in its old form, so today it looks centuries old but feels lived-in.
The ramparts and intra-muros
The ramparts encircle the old town for about 1.75 km and are free to walk. Climb up at the Grande Porte or Porte Saint-Vincent and go round clockwise: views over the port, the Rance estuary, Dinard, the beaches and the islands. Inside, wander the granite streets, see Saint-Vincent Cathedral with its modern stained glass, and the castle, now home to the town hall.
Best time: early morning or sunset, when the light catches the granite and the tour groups have gone.
Saint-Malo: walled city walking tour in English
Two hours on the ramparts and in the backstreets of the corsair city with a local English-speaking guide.
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Saint-Malo: private corsair-city walking tour
A private guided walk on the ramparts and through intra-muros, including the cathedral.
Check availabilityBook via GetYourGuideTour listings are on GetYourGuide. Prices, times and cancellation terms are shown live on each listing and can change; MontSaintMichel.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tidal islands and forts
At low tide you can walk across the sand from the Plage de Bon-Secours to the Grand Bé, an island where the writer Chateaubriand chose to be buried facing the sea, and to Fort National, built to plans by Vauban in 1689. Both are cut off at high tide – the tides here are as big as at the Mont – so check the times displayed at the access points and come back well before the water returns.
Beaches, the sea pool and Saint-Servan
The long Plage du Sillon runs east from the walls towards Paramé, lined with breakwater posts that make for dramatic photos. Next to the walls, Bon-Secours beach has a seawater pool refilled by each tide. South of the old town, Saint-Servan has the Solidor tower, quieter streets and the Cité d'Alet with its WWII memorial in a German bunker.
Families like the Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo; a ticket there also gives the partner rate at the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey.
Eating in Saint-Malo
Crêperies and seafood restaurants fill the old town. Order galettes and cider, mussels from the bay, or a seafood platter; for oysters, Cancale is just up the coast (Cancale). Saint-Malo is also known for its butter – the town is home to the famous Bordier butter shop.
Getting there and staying
By car it is about an hour from the Mont via Pontorson and Dol-de-Bretagne. Saint-Malo has a TGV station with direct trains from Paris and is the arrival port for Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth and Condor ferries from the Channel Islands. Without a car, a guided tour from Rennes combines the Mont, Cancale and Saint-Malo in one day.
Stay intra-muros for atmosphere, or along the Sillon for beach views.
From Rennes: Mont-Saint-Michel, Cancale and Saint-Malo
A small-group day from Rennes combining the Mont, oysters in Cancale and the walled city of Saint-Malo.
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From Saint-Malo: Dinan, Fort la Latte and Cap Fréhel
A private full-day tour along the Emerald Coast to Cancale, Fort la Latte, Cap Fréhel and medieval Dinan.
Check availabilityBook via GetYourGuideTour listings are on GetYourGuide. Prices, times and cancellation terms are shown live on each listing and can change; MontSaintMichel.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hôtel France et Chateaubriand
Saint-MaloA classic hotel inside Saint-Malo's walls, by the Porte Saint-Vincent.
See on Booking.comLa Maison des Armateurs
Saint-MaloA stylish hotel inside the walls of Saint-Malo, near the port.
See on Booking.comHôtel Elizabeth – Intra Muros
Saint-MaloA small hotel inside Saint-Malo's walled city, close to the ramparts.
See on Booking.comHôtel Bristol Union Intra Muros
Saint-MaloA simple, central hotel inside Saint-Malo's walled city.
See on Booking.comGrand Hôtel de Courtoisville
Saint-MaloA seaside hotel on the Sillon beach in Saint-Malo, a short walk from the walled city.
See on Booking.comibis budget Saint-Malo Centre
Saint-MaloA budget chain hotel in Saint-Malo, convenient for drivers.
See on Booking.comSee all hotels in Saint-Malo on Booking.com
Hotel links go to Booking.com, where you see live prices and availability. We do not list prices because they change daily; MontSaintMichel.com may earn a commission.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Saint-Malo from Mont-Saint-Michel?
About 55 km, or roughly an hour by car.
Can you walk on Saint-Malo's ramparts?
Yes, for free, all year. The full loop is about 1.75 km.
When can I visit the Grand Bé?
Only around low tide, on foot across the sand. Check the access times posted at the beach.
Is Saint-Malo a good base for visiting Mont-Saint-Michel?
Yes, for a longer stay with restaurants and beaches; the Mont is an easy day trip by car or tour.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
MontSaintMichel.com is an independent guide, not the official site of the Abbey or of the Mont. Some links are affiliate links: tours and tickets go to GetYourGuide and hotels go to Booking.com, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
