Saint-Philippe Bastion

You’re now reaching Saint Philip Bastion, which dates from the city’s second expansion between 1714 and 1720. Louis XIV had just died, and Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, nephew of the late king, was serving as regent until Louis XV came of age. The new bastion was therefore named in honor of the man France simply called the Regent. It was built to protect a brand-new neighborhood nicknamed at the time “California.” The handsome houses there belonged to wealthy shipowners who had made fortunes trading with the Americas. Today, the bastion offers the perfect angle for a photo of the harbor and the city of Aleth. Located about three kilometers from intra-muros Saint-Malo, this beautiful peninsula takes you back to the city’s origins, to the site of the old Gallo-Roman capital in the 1st century BC. There you can discover the former Saint Peter’s Cathedral, the oldest place of worship in the region, as well as Solidor Tower, a magnificent example of a medieval triple keep overlooking the sea. It’s a delightful little escape and one not to miss. Continue along the route to the stairs leading down from the ramparts, then pass through Dinan Gate to leave the fortified city, because we’re heading toward the lighthouse.