Walk Round the Intra-Muros Ramparts
1 h · 1.8 kmAll ages
A free one-hour walk along the 1,754 metres of intra-muros ramparts, with the sea, the islands and the granite rooftops in view.
From the borderAbout 720 km
TideUp to about 13 m
Best timeMay · Jun · Sep
Minimum time1 day
The tide comes in fast. The Grand Bé and Fort National can be reached on foot only an hour and a half before and after low tide. If it catches you out there, you wait six hours.
What to do
What to do in Saint-Malo
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Walking to the Grand Bé at Low Tide
1 hAll agesAll year, depending on the tide
A walk at low tide to the islet with Chateaubriand's tomb, opposite Bon Secours: 1 h, free, only at low water.
Fort National
45 minEaster and All Saints holidays, May long weekends and from 1 June to 30 September, depending on the tide
Vauban's fort facing the Grande Plage: a 35-minute guided visit at low tide, from June to September; adults €5.
From €5
How to do it
Plan the trip
Saint-Malo, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Saint-Malo
May, June and September: long days, room in the car parks and the islands just as accessible. In July and August the city fills up and you need to book everything. From November to March it is windy, many things close and the spring tides remain, which are a spectacle.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
Saint-Malo your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
Getting here is easy; park outside the wall
From the border it is about 720 km. The toll ends before Nantes; Breton expressways are free. In the city the car is a nuisance: leave it outside and go in by bus or on foot.
90–140 €per person per day, approximate
- SleepingMalouinière Le Valmarin, with parking…
- Getting aroundPaul Féval park and ride…
- EatingGalettes in intra-muros, ten minutes…
- ServicesTide table at the tourist…
Sleeping
- Malouinière Le Valmarin, with parking in Saint-Servan
- Hotels on the Sillon, with the car in the garage and the beach in front
Getting around
- Paul Féval park and ride, €3.30 a day with bus included
- The Bus de Mer to Dinard avoids going round the Rance by car
Eating
- Galettes in intra-muros, ten minutes by bus from the car park
- Butter and cheeses from Bordier for a picnic
Services
- Tide table at the tourist office
- In August, reach the car park before ten
The city is explored on foot
With a train to the station and a bus to the rampart you need nothing else. The islands, the beaches, the boat to Dinard and the GR 34 start at the door.
80–130 €per person per day, approximate
- SleepingHôtel France et Chateaubriand, inside…
- Getting aroundRegional trains from Rennes and…
- EatingLe Comptoir Breizh Café for…
- ServicesFrom Spain, fly to Nantes…
Sleeping
- Hôtel France et Chateaubriand, inside the wall
- Ty Al Levenez hostel in Paramé, five minutes from the station by bus
Getting around
- Regional trains from Rennes and TGV from Paris
- Bus de Mer to Dinard every twenty minutes in season
- City buses to Rothéneuf and Cancale
Eating
- Le Comptoir Breizh Café for a galette with cider
- Crêperie Le Tournesol, cheap and inside the wall
Services
- From Spain, fly to Nantes and continue by train
- The tourist office is next to the Porte Saint-Vincent
Well served, with the area far from the centre
A motorhome does not fit inside intra-muros. There is an area with facilities at Rothéneuf, space at the park and ride and campsites that admit large vehicles.
45–70 €per person per day, approximate
- SleepingLes Ilots area, a hundred…
- Getting aroundPaul Féval park and ride…
- EatingSupermarkets at the city's exits
- ServicesWater and waste emptying at…
Sleeping
- Les Ilots area, a hundred metres from the beach, from €15
- Camping de la Cité d'Alet or the Domaine de la Ville Huchet
Getting around
- Paul Féval park and ride: €7.50 for 24 h and a bus to the centre
- The streets of Saint-Servan are narrow: enter by the main avenue
Eating
- Supermarkets at the city's exits
- Market and Bordier cheese shop inside the wall
Services
- Water and waste emptying at Les Ilots
- In August, reach the area before mid-afternoon
Two campsites, one with the rampart in front
Wild camping is not allowed on the urban coast or on the beaches. There are campsites with tent pitches in Saint-Servan and at Quelmer, open in season.
40–60 €per person per day, approximate
- SleepingCamping de la Cité d'Alet…
- Getting aroundFrom Alet you walk to…
- EatingCheap galettes in intra-muros
- ServicesMost campsites close from October…
Sleeping
- Camping de la Cité d'Alet, facing intra-muros
- Domaine de la Ville Huchet, with a pool, to the south
Getting around
- From Alet you walk to the port and take a bus to the rampart
- The GR 34 passes the Alet headland
Eating
- Cheap galettes in intra-muros
- Shop at the neighbourhood markets
Services
- Most campsites close from October to March
- Book a pitch in July and August
The GR 34 leaves from the beach
Saint-Malo is a stage on the customs officers' path. Eastwards it is about 30 km to Cancale, by points and coves; westwards you cross to Dinard by boat and continue along the Emerald Coast.
50–80 €per person per day, approximate
- SleepingTy Al Levenez hostel, next…
- Getting aroundSaint-Malo – Cancale stage in…
- EatingSandwiches and takeaway galettes in…
- ServicesCheck the tide: some beach…
Sleeping
- Ty Al Levenez hostel, next to the GR 34 in Paramé
- Camping de la Cité d'Alet for anyone with a tent
Getting around
- Saint-Malo – Cancale stage in one or two days
- Bus de Mer to Dinard to continue westwards
Eating
- Sandwiches and takeaway galettes in intra-muros
- At Rothéneuf there are cafés halfway
Services
- Check the tide: some beach shortcuts close at high water
- City bus to get back to the starting point
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Saint-Malo for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Sand, boats and fish
With small children Saint-Malo works through the beach, which is enormous at low tide, and through short activities. The rampart has steps: a baby carrier rather than a pushchair.
- What works bestSillon beach, with a flat…
- SleepingHotels on the Sillon, with…
- EatingA sweet butter and sugar…
- Bear in mindThe tide rises fast: do…
What works best
- Sillon beach, with a flat sea wall for the pushchair
- The Bus de Mer to Dinard: ten minutes by boat
- The Grand Aquarium, free for under-4s
Sleeping
- Hotels on the Sillon, with the beach in front
- Camping de la Ville Huchet, with a pool
Eating
- A sweet butter and sugar crêpe never fails
- A picnic with Bordier bread and butter on the beach
Bear in mind
- The tide rises fast: do not leave children alone on the rocks
- The water is about 18 °C in August: they swim only briefly
- The rampart and the Rothéneuf rocks are not for pushchairs
What to do with young children
A city played with the tide
For children of various ages, the challenge is to walk to an island and come back before the water rises. That, and a galette at the end, makes the day.
- What works bestThe Grand Bé on foot…
- SleepingCamping de la Cité d'Alet…
- EatingCrêperies in intra-muros: a savoury…
- Bear in mindCheck the tide the night…
What works best
- The Grand Bé on foot at low tide
- The walk round the rampart, one hour
- The Bon Secours pool, free and with a diving board
Sleeping
- Camping de la Cité d'Alet, with views of the rampart
- Hotels at Paramé, near the beach
Eating
- Crêperies in intra-muros: a savoury galette and a crêpe for dessert
- The Grand Aquarium and the boat to Dinard for the grey day
Bear in mind
- Check the tide the night before
- In August, book weeks ahead
- The carved rocks of Rothéneuf have steps without railings
What to do as a family
Diving board, sand sailing and a path
A teenager finds cold water, wind and some freedom here: the city is small and they get around on foot.
- What works bestThe Bon Secours diving board…
- SleepingTy Al Levenez hostel, if…
- EatingCheap galettes in intra-muros
- Bear in mindChar à voile depends on…
What works best
- The Bon Secours diving board, at mid-tide
- Char à voile on the Sillon at low tide
- The GR 34 to Rothéneuf, and back by bus
Sleeping
- Ty Al Levenez hostel, if they are with friends
- Camping de la Cité d'Alet
Eating
- Cheap galettes in intra-muros
- A picnic on the rampart at sunset
Bear in mind
- Char à voile depends on the tide and the wind
- The water is cold even in August
- At high tide and in a storm, the waves leap the sea wall: do not go near
What to do with teenagers
Saint-Malo with a Dog, Between the GR 34 and the Sea Bus
In Saint-Malo your dog goes with you on the GR 34 towards Rothéneuf, along the Digue du Sillon and on the sea bus to Dinard, with its own ticket. The carved rocks of Rothéneuf admit it. The big Sillon beach, however, is off-limits to it from April to September. A campsite and a thalassotherapy hotel accept it.
- WalksGR 34 towards Rothéneuf and…
- Beaches and swimmingSillon beach: dogs prohibited on…
- Where to sleepDomaine de la Ville Huchet…
- Keep in mindSea bus to Dinard: €3…
Walks
- GR 34 towards Rothéneuf and the pointe de la Varde, on a lead
- The Digue du Sillon, all year, on a lead
- The carved rocks of Rothéneuf: dogs are admitted
Beaches and swimming
- Sillon beach: dogs prohibited on the sand from April to September
- The rest of the year you can go down with it on a lead
Where to sleep
- Domaine de la Ville Huchet: €5 a night, two at most, in some accommodation
- Grand Hôtel des Thermes: with a supplement and under conditions; check them when booking
Keep in mind
- Sea bus to Dinard: €3 ticket for the dog, on a lead or in a basket
- The Grand Aquarium admits only accredited assistance dogs
- At the Ville Huchet it may not enter the pools, bar or restaurant, and categories 1 and 2 are not accepted
What to do with a dog
Where to stay with a dog
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingwithout a carin a campervanif you're campingif you're on foot
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Hôtel France et Chateaubriand
Why we like it: On the place Chateaubriand, inside the wall: you arrive from the station by bus and need nothing else. Parking is paid.
Grand Hôtel des Thermes
Why we like it: A grand seaside hotel on the Sillon, with direct access to the seawater Thermes Marins. On foot along the sea wall you reach the rampart.
Malouinière Le Valmarin
Why we like it: A malouinière, the shipowners' country house, from the 18th century with a garden in Saint-Servan. You park inside, away from the bustle of intra-muros.
Ty Al Levenez Ethic Étapes
Why we like it: The former Patrick Varangot hostel: rooms for two to six with a bathroom and breakfast included. Bus line 3 links it with the station in five minutes.
From €37
View details
Cité d'Alet Municipal Campsite
Why we like it: On the Alet headland, with the rampart opposite across the port. It is the campsite closest to the centre; it opens in season.
From €22
View details
Camping Domaine de la Ville Huchet
Why we like it: A large campsite with a pool in the grounds of a mansion, south of the city. For families who want space. Open from April to September.
Les Ilots Motorhome Area
Why we like it: A hundred metres from Rothéneuf beach and with a bus to the centre. You do not book: you pay on arrival.
From €15
View details
Services for this trip
Where to eat
Where to eat in Saint-Malo
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Le Comptoir Breizh Café
What to order: a buckwheat galette complète and a bolée of cider from its list.
6 rue de l'Orme · Michelin Guide · every day · book in season
Crêperie
Crêperie Le Tournesol
What to order: a savoury buckwheat galette and, for dessert, a salted butter caramel crêpe.
4 rue des Marins · vegetarian menu · check hours, especially in the evening
Le Cambusier
What to order: the fish of the day.
6 rue des Cordiers · wine bar with food · Michelin Guide · book directly
Méson Chalut
What to order: the menu of the day, of local fish and seafood.
8 rue de la Corne-de-Cerf · dinner only, closed on Mondays · Michelin green star · always book
Takeaway and markets
La Maison du Beurre Bordier, Saint-Malo intra-muros
What to try
- GaletteThe buckwheat (blé noir) one, savoury: the complète comes with ham, cheese and egg. Here, in Gallo country, "galette" is the savoury one and "crêpe" the sweet.
- CrêpeMade from wheat flour (froment), thin and sweet: butter and sugar, or salted butter caramel.
- Cider in a boléeBrut (dry) or doux (sweeter), in a ceramic bowl. It goes with the galette.
Map
Everything on the map
The places to stay and services on the map are the ones for the way you travel. Turn on the layers you want and tap a point to see its details.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Nearby
Near Saint-Malo
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
48.68° N · 1.85° W
Cancale
By carBy campervanCampingCar-free
48.45° N · 2.05° W
Dinan
By carCar-freeBy plane
48.64° N · 1.51° W
Mont-Saint-Michel
By carBy campervanBy bikeCar-free
48.02° N · 2.17° W
Brocéliande Forest
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Check the tide before the weather
The day's table is at the tourist office and at the beach accesses. Organise the day around low tide.
- 2Climb the wall at sunset
The walk is free at any hour. Last thing there are fewer people and the light falls on the islands.
- 3Cross to Dinard by boat, not by car
The Bus de Mer takes ten minutes and saves you going round the Rance estuary.
- 4Order the galette with cider in a bowl
It is the norm here: cider is served in a bolée, a ceramic bowl.
Local tip
Come at spring tides outside summer: in March or September the sea hits the wall at high tide, and the town isn't full.
The car inside the wall
You will go round single-lane streets to end up in an expensive, full car park. Leave it at Paul Féval and go in by bus.
How do you get there from Spain?
By car it is about 720 km from Irún: toll motorway via Bordeaux as far as Nantes and, from there, a free expressway via Rennes. Brittany's dual carriageways (N137, N165, N12) have no tolls: the State made them free in the 1970s to bring the region out of its isolation. Without a car, the most practical flight is to Nantes, with several Volotea routes from Spain; there is no direct flight from Spain to Rennes. From Rennes, regional trains run to Saint-Malo several times a day.
Why does the tide change everything?
The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel has some of the biggest tides in Europe: at Saint-Malo, at spring tides, the water rises and falls about 13 metres. At low tide an enormous beach appears and you can walk out to the Grand Bé and Fort National; six hours later those same islands are surrounded by water and the waves leap over the Sillon. Check the tide table the day before and plan your day around it.
Where do you park?
Outside the walls. Inside the intra-muros the streets are narrow and parking is scarce. The Paul Féval park-and-ride, next to the racecourse, costs €3.30 a day and the ticket includes the bus into the centre for five people.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need?
One is enough for the walls, the Grand Bé and a galette. With two you add Dinard by boat, the GR 34 towards Rothéneuf or an afternoon in Cancale.
Can you walk to the islands?
Yes, to the Grand Bé and Fort National, only at low tide: an hour and a half before and after low water. Check the day's table.
When are there the most people?
In July and August, and on the French bank-holiday weekends in May. In August book accommodation weeks ahead and arrive early at the car parks.
What is closed in winter?
Many campsites close between October and April, Fort National opens only in season and the Bus de Mer doesn't run in midwinter. The town, the walls and the restaurants in the centre stay open.
Are there tolls in Brittany?
Not on the Breton expressways, which are free. You do pay on the Bordeaux to Nantes motorway.
Can you swim?
Yes. In August the water is around 18 °C. The seawater pool at Bon Secours fills with each tide and is free.
What Breton words will I see?
Few in Saint-Malo, which is in Gallo country. Further west you will see them on every sign: ker (inhabited place), plou (parish), loc (holy place), penn (point), enez (island).