Dinan Gate

A full circuit of the citadel reveals the secrets of nine fortified gates. The first ramparts of Saint-Malo were erected in the 12th century by Jean de Châtillon, regarded as the city’s founder. Over the centuries, Saint-Malo grew, and its stone walls had to grow with it, with successive new sections of ramparts and bastions added one after another. The present-day enceinte measures 1,754 meters and was built by Louis XIV’s architect from plans drawn by Vauban. You are now in front of Dinan Gate. This used to be the navy gate, with the maritime offices right beside it. It was cut through in 1714. The workers had to use dynamite, because the granite of the original wall was simply too hard to carve through by hand.