Tourist information on Saint-Malo, France

With its famous walled city and golden sandy beaches, Saint-Malo is one of the most attractive and distinctive resorts in Brittany. Situated on the coast of northwest France, in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, Saint-Malo is proud of its long and colourful history, in which nautical adventure (piracy and exploration) plays a substantial part. Although the city was badly scarred in the Second World War when the occupying Germans refused to surrender to the Allies, its old city wall and other historic buildings have been meticulously restored. Saint-Malo may be small but it has much to offer the tourist, not just its well-known landmarks and stunning scenery, but also some great cuisine, shopping and a relaxed environment in which to unwind.

In the Middle Ages, Saint-Malo was a fortified island which, strategically positioned at the mouth of the River Rance, controlled both the estuary and the open sea beyond. Modern Saint-Malo originated as a monastic settlement founded by Saint Aaron and Saint Brendan early in the 6th century. It was one of St Brendan's followers, Saint Malo, who gave his name to the town. From 1490 to 1493, Saint-Malo declared itself an independent republic from both Brittany and France, and would fight to assert its autonomy for much of its subsequent history. In the 16th century, St Malo acquired a certain notoriety as a base for corsairs, pirates who were permitted (indeed encouraged) to raid the ships of enemy nations during wartime. The town was also famous for its nautical explorers, who include Jacques Cartier, the man who discovered Canada. The Malouins (natives of St Malo) were the first colonists to settle in the Falklands, giving it the name les Îles Malouines (from which the Spanish Malvinas derives).

Saint-Malo's main attraction is of course its walled city (Intra-Muros), which sits indomitable at the mouth of the Rance estuary Outside the city walls lie the modern towns of Parame and Saint-Servan. No visitor to the city can resist a walk along the ramparts, which offer some stunning views of the town and the sea. The city's other main attraction is Château de St Malo, which was built in the 15th century to mark the town's independence from France and subsequently became a symbol of power for successive Dukes of Brittany. Its former barracks now serve as the town hall whilst its imposing towers house the Musée d'Histoire de la Ville et du Pays Malouin, a museum dedicated to the history of the town and its inhabitants. Another important landmark is the Cathédrale St Vincent, which dates back to the 12th century and combines Romanesque and Gothic styles.

At low tide it is possible to walk from St Malo to the islet of Grand-Bé, where the great French writer François-René de Chateaubriand is buried. Alternatively, you can take a ferry to Dinard, another popular resort with some fantastic beaches and restaurants, or, if you are feeling more adventurous, a boat trip to Cap Fréhel, a stunningly beautiful peninsula in Côtes-d'Armor. Other attractions include: la Demeure de Corsaire, an 18th century privateer's house whose exhibits depict the town's privateering history; the Great Aquarium, one of the largest of its kind in France; the labyrinthe du Corsaire, a theme park for children; and the tidal powerhouse on Rance estuary, which claims to be the world's first tidal power station. In July, St Malo hosts the Festival des Folklores du Monde (World Folklores), which features colourful exhibitions of dance and music from all around the world.

Saint-Malo's train station is an easy 20 minute walk from the southern extremity of the walled city. Saint-Malo is well connected to other cities in France by train, including a few direct high speed (TGV) services each day to and from Paris. Ferry services operate to Saint-Malo from a number of major seaports in the UK and Channel Islands. Saint-Malo's bus system provides a convenient way to get to other towns in the region.