Advice

A quick pause in your visit now, to mention a few other places nearby that are well worth seeing around Saint-Malo. One of the great regional highlights is the city of Aleth. This wooded peninsula, stretching just a few kilometers from the corsair city, is a refreshing seaside escape not to be missed. It was here, in the 1st century BC, that the capital of the Coriosolites, a Gallic people of Armorica, once stood. You can discover its remains, as well as the oldest Christian place of worship in the region, Saint Peter’s Cathedral. Another must-see in Aleth is Solidor Tower, a triple keep that once controlled navigation on the Rance. Solidor Quay, for its part, is historic because this is where the Saint-Malo privateers’ ships were built. In the 18th century, a fortress was built on the Aleth site to defend against English attacks. Today, you can explore galleries built during the German occupation, bunkers, and the 1939–45 memorial housed in a blockhouse, documenting the Second World War. But above all, Aleth is a nature break, far from the bustle of the center, with lovely walks and unforgettable sea views. If instead you head to the far side of the long Sillon beach, 8 kilometers from Saint-Malo, you’ll find a place that is more than worth the trip: the sculpted rocks of Rothéneuf. For a small entrance fee, you’ll discover, in a garden overlooking the Channel, an original world recounting the legend of Rothéneuf and born from the imagination of Abbé Fouré. Born in Brittany in 1839, he spent 14 years carving more than 200 statues, faces, and bas-reliefs into the rock. Today, only 180 sculptures remain visible, offering a poetic and unusual outing just a stone’s throw from Saint-Malo. If you feel like a proper nature walk, head to Pointe du Grouin, 20 kilometers northeast of Saint-Malo. This wild, windswept headland is the perfect place for a walk facing the ocean. At the very tip, you’ll be greeted by an out-of-this-world panorama stretching from Cap Fréhel in the west to Granville in the east, across the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. You may even spot the mysterious silhouette of the Mont itself on the horizon, and if luck is on your side, perhaps dolphins too, which regularly come to enjoy these fish-rich waters. It is a walk full of surprises and well worth the detour. If you’d rather go for a bike ride, the site of the Moulin de la Saline in the commune of Cherrueix is ideal. There were once around ten windmills along this stretch of coast; only a few survive today. The Moulin de la Saline is open to visitors. You’ll also find an old salt storehouse there, along with a house devoted to local produce and gastronomy. You can also head toward Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets and discover the old tidal mill of Quinard on the banks of the Rance. Following the little path along the sea, you’ll get a magnificent view of this large, enigmatic mill standing alone among the ponds. Another activity closely associated with the Saint-Malo region is going to Cancale for oysters. Lovers of seafood will be delighted: the town is full of excellent fish restaurants and offers high-quality oysters at very reasonable prices. And if you want to discover another town bursting with charm, with cobbled streets, medieval ramparts, a fortress, and beautiful half-timbered houses, then do not leave without taking a little detour to Dinan, around 30 kilometers from here. And finally, how could we not mention the mysterious Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located less than an hour from the walled city of Saint-Malo. Exploring this fascinating abbey, which seems to float between sky and sea, is a unique experience, so do make the most of your stay in Saint-Malo and pay it a visit. With all of that, you certainly won’t run out of things to do if you decide to linger in the region.