Saint-Malo — The Corsair Fortress
Saint-Malo rises from the sea like a granite mirage — a walled city on a tidal island off the Brittany coast, ringed by ramparts so perfectly intact you can walk the entire circuit in under an hour with the Atlantic crashing below. For centuries this was France's pirate capital — home to
Beaches and Islands
At low tide, Saint-Malo's beaches are enormous — the Grande Plage du Sillon stretches for nearly 3 km. You can walk to the little island of Grand Bé (where Chateaubriand is buried) and the Fort National (built by Vauban) — but watch the tides. Get caught and you'll be stranded until the next low tide, six hours later.
Brittany Coastline — The dramatic Emerald Coast, tidal islands, and granite cliffs of northern Brittany — on La Terre.
Food & Drink
- Oysters — the Cancale oyster beds are just 15 minutes east; eat them on the ramparts
— the Breton specialty — Brittany is cider country, not wine country — the world's most indulgent pastry
When to Visit
- May–September: Best weather, all beaches open
- February: The Quai des Bulles comic book festival
- Year-round: The walled city is atmospheric in any weather — Atlantic storms add drama