The Ultimate Saint-Malo Guide: Best Things to Do in Saint-Malo, France
- Brendan Hart
- Nov 4, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
🏰 The Ultimate Saint-Malo Guide: 15 Best Things to Do in Saint-Malo, France
lanning a trip to the Brittany coast? This Saint-Malo Guide highlights the very best things to do, see, eat, and experience in this historic seaside gem of northwest France. Famous for its walled city, corsair legends, tidal beaches, and coastal walks, Saint-Malo is a destination packed with character, culture, and stunning scenery.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a longer Brittany road trip, here are the best things to do in Saint-Malo—including local favorites and experiences you won’t want to miss.
Take a Guided Walking Tour of the Famous Walled City (Intra-Muros)
Start your visit inside the city walls, known as the Intra-Muros. A guided walking tour is the best way to understand the city’s extraordinary past—from wealthy merchants and privateering to WWII destruction and post-war reconstruction.
Saint Malo Guided Tours offers English-speaking 2-hour tours of the Walled City and ramparts, sharing the stories, legends, and colorful history that shaped Saint-Malo into one of France’s most notorious ports. Expect sea-spray views, remarkable anecdotes, and hidden corners most visitors miss.
Dive into the Bon Secours Seawater Pool
A Saint-Malo icon! The Bon Secours tidal swimming pool offers a truly unique seaside experience. Built in the 1930s to allow swimming at low tide, it remains free and open to the public.
Bring a towel and (if you’re brave) take the plunge like a local.
If your a serious swimmer, check out our guide 👉 Saint-Malo's surrounding beaches
Have a Galette and Cider on the Ramparts
No Saint-Malo trip would be complete without tasting Breton cuisine. For a memorable lunch with a view, head to Le Corps de Garde, a cozy crêperie tucked into a former guard tower overlooking the bay.
Order a buckwheat galette (the Breton savory crêpe) and pair it with a cup of local apple cider. Arrive before noon to avoid the line—especially in summer.
If you love buttery Breton cuisine, you may also enjoy this post:👉 Breton Must-Try Food and Cuisine – Saint-Malo Guided Tours
Take an E-Bike Tour along the stunning Saint-Malo coastline
E-bikes are a perfect way to hop off your ship and explore what’s outside the port. Saint-Malo has a particularly rich concentration of incredible sites. An E-Bike tour will bring you to locations that will take your breath away. The guide knows the most scenic and safe routes to make your E bike tour the best part of your stopover.
Half-Day tour: 200€ + e-bike rental (8 people max)
Full-Day tour: 400€ + e-bike rental (8 people max)
Book here 👉 www.saintmaloguidedtours.com/e-bike-tours
Visit the Fort National
The Fort National is located just off the coast of Saint-Malo. At low-tide the fort can be accessed and entered. There is a 5€ entrance fee for adults. The fort is an incredible piece of architecture, gives you great views of Saint-Malo, and was the site of one of the most harrowing episodes of WW2 during Saint-Malo’s liberation.
Hike up to Chateaubriand’s tomb on the Grand Bé Island
Francois Réné de Chateaubriand is one of Saint-Malo’s most famous citizens. He is known as the father of French romanticism in literature. He was passionate about the beauty of nature, which is why he requested to be buried alone, facing the rocks and the waves. On the island there are traces of WW2 bunkers and a chapel. However, you must be careful visiting the island. If the tide comes in when you are on the island, you will have to swim back to shore!
Visit the Demeure du Corsair
Saint-Malo is famous for its monumental houses that belonged to the wealthy shipowners who were some of France’s wealthiest subjects in the 1700s. A lot of these houses were destroyed during WW2. However, the Demeure De Corsaire is one of the few original houses belonging to the city’s storied past that can be visited.
Tours from 10:00am to 11:30am or 2:30pm to 5:00pm
8.5€ per adult
6€ per child
Eat Mussels and Fries with a Sea View
For a casual seaside bite, stop by the snack bar at Saint-Thomas’ Gate overlooking the Plage de l’Éventail and Fort National. There’s nothing more French than moules-frites on the beach with sea air in your hair.
Visit the Sculpted Rocks of Rothéneuf
Just east of Saint-Malo, the village of Rothéneuf is home to more than 300 cliff-carved sculptures created by Abbot Fouré in the late 1800s. Time and erosion are slowly wearing them away—so see them while you can.
Tickets:• Adults: €5• Children under 10: Free
Explore La Pointe de la Varde
A spectacular headland with coastal trails, La Pointe de la Varde boasts some of the best panoramic views of Saint-Malo. Wander past WWII bunkers, grassy cliffs, and scenic beaches. It’s a great spot for a picnic or sunset walk.
Visit the Cité d’Alet: Key to Saint-Malo’s WWII History
With Roman ruins, WWII bunkers, and sweeping harbor views, Cité d’Alet is a must for history fans. Over 500 German soldiers were stationed here during WWII, making it a decisive site in the Liberation of Saint-Malo.
Take a Shuttle Boat to Dinard
Hop on a 10-minute ferry ride across the bay to the stylish seaside town of Dinard—known for Belle Époque villas, beaches, and art deco charm. Boats run daily in summer, departing near the Porte de Dinan.
Get a “Super Boule” Ice Cream at Sanchez
It’s impossible to miss the line in summer—Sanchez is a Saint-Malo institution. Their “super boule” cone and rotating flavors make it a must-stop for a sweet treat as you wander Intra-Muros.
Sip a Rooftop Drink at Les Ambassadeurs
For a relaxed evening cocktail, walk 10 minutes from the walled city to the rooftop bar at Les Ambassadeurs on the Sillon Beach. It’s one of the only rooftop terraces with direct ocean views in the area—ideal at sunset.
Walk the Digue Seawall at Sunset
The Digue stretches along the Sillon Beach, offering a peaceful seaside stroll. Watch the sun dip behind the horizon, then wander back across the sand listening to the waves—one of the most romantic things to do in Saint-Malo.
Enjoy a drink on Saint-Malo's best seaside terrasse at Chez Denise
Chez Denise is Saint-Malo's ultimate local spot to enjoy a drink while watching the waves. It's at the east end of the Sillon beach (known as Rochebonne) and has the best terrasse in the region to watch the sunset. This end of the beach is the local surf spot and you are often treated to a viewing of surf skills from the local youth.
Here's their Instagram page : https://www.instagram.com/chez.denise.stmalo/?hl=en
Visit the Cliffside Chapel Notre-Dame des Flots
Near Rothéneuf, follow the coastal trail from the Benetin restaurant parking area to this charming little chapel perched above the sea. The views over the Lupin Harbor and Chevret Islands make it a scenic stop.
Explore the Château de la Briantais
Dating back to the 1600s, the elegant Château de la Briantais and its 27-hectare park offer estuary views, landscaped gardens, and summer cultural events. On warm weekends, you’ll often find outdoor food and drink pop-ups.
Dine Al Fresco by the Solidor Tower
Located in the Saint-Servain neighborhood of Saint-Malo, the 14th-century Tour Solidor overlooks the Rance Estuary and is surrounded by a row of harbor-side restaurants—perfect for an outdoor summer dinner. Seafood, views, and history combine for a memorable evening.
Things to do near Saint-Malo
Shop at the Dinard Street Market
Dinard is a famous seaside resort just across the bay from Saint-Malo. Dinard has wonderful beaches, restaurants, and stunning architecture. One of the best ways to spend a morning in Dinard before going for a swim is visiting its markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The market is a vibrant sprawl of bustle. It is so authentic and French. You can buy wonderful produce, handcrafted artwork, all sorts of clothes, and the whole atmosphere is lively and fun.
For more information : https://www.ville-dinard.fr/halles-et-marches/
Go swimming at the wild beaches of Saint-Coulomb and Cancale.
Saint-Coulomb is a quaint village just next to Saint-Malo. The coastline is rugged, wild, and the beaches are beautiful expanses of golden sand. Three of our favorites beaches are the Plage du Chevrets, Plage du Verger, and the Plage du Port.
Have a drink at the pop-up bar at the local Chateau on Friday nights
On Friday evenings, the Malouinière de la Ville Bague opens its gates to the public. Saint-Malo's countryside is studded with luxurious 17th century manor houses where wealthy shipowners built their estate away from the sea. The Ville Bague in Saint-Coulomb is iconic, and in the summer time they host a pop up bar and live music in their stately flower garden. They setup a stunning pavilion where you can order a drink, get food, and listen to live music. This is one of those experiences that makes you feel like a local, and will make your trip to Saint-Malo truly memorable.
Galettes with a view at the Breizh Café Farm!
Breizh Café is the successful restaurant empire built by local chef Bertrand Larcher. Breizh Café eateries can be found from New York to Tokyo, but Saint-Malo is where it all started. The Breizh Café Farm is a passion project for all to enjoy. Mr Larcher's personal farm provides the buckwheat that is used to make the Galettes crepes that are served at the farmstand. You can enjoy a galette, French fries, and artisanal apple cider on a hill overlooking the gorgeous Guesclin beach in Saint-Coulomb. It's one of the most unique venues in the area. There are also live concerts in the summer.
Visit https://www.breizhcafe.com/la-ferme-breizh-cafe for the latest information regarding their opening hours, menu, and live concerts.
Eat oysters on the port of Cancale
Cancale is the oyster capital of France. It is a 20 minute drive from Saint-Malo. It is a try fisherman's town with a picturesque port located just above the oyster beds. You can order oysters right on the port with a glass of muscadet.
Take a French cooking class with My Cancale Kitchen
Mary Margaret Chappell is an American who has lived in Cancale for nearly 20 years. She is a renowned food writer, historian, and chef. She has a picturesque kitchen that looks out onto the sea in Cancale. She hosts cooking classes for small groups where you learn how to make the local cuisine. Visit My Cancale Kitchen to book your class!
🧭 Why Saint-Malo Belongs on Your France Itinerary
Whether you’re a history lover, coastal walker, or foodie, Saint-Malo offers a mix of culture, scenery, and adventure that’s hard to beat. If you're visiting the region after touring the D-Day beaches or Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, a quick drive to Saint-Malo is worth the extra miles. For English-speaking travelers looking to understand the heart of the city, a guided tour with Saint Malo Guided Tours is a fantastic place to begin.
Read more of our Saint-Malo guides!
Comments