St. malo

Saint Malo is a city on the French Brittany coast famed for once being the home of corsairs and its enormous tidal range. The city has a walled old part called Intra Muros, within the walls, which is crammed full of historical sights and atmospheric lanes. Constructed at the end of the 17th century under military architect Vauban, the ramparts of Saint-Malo can be accessed from several points, including all the main city gates. The high wall that surrounds the city of Saint Malo forms a loop of about 1.4 miles and the walk last about an hour with wonderful views of the sea, the small island Be and the city.

Place Chateaubriand is Saint Malo's largest square located right at the main entrance to the walled city.

The square is very grandiose and impressive with the Chateau de Saint Malo towering over it and the pretty hotel Chateaubriand to the side.

Boat docking on the harbor of Saint Malo

Huge boat.

Harbor of Saint Malo

Part of the rampart of Saint Malo

We are entering the main fortified gate of the rampart: Saint Vincent Gate built in 1709.

Very quickly, this gate became the main entrance to the Intra-Muros and was split in 1890. Two crests appear on the facade of the door: on the left, a portcullis surmounted by the ermine of the Dukes of Brittany which represents the city's coat of arms and on the right the ermines surmounted by a crown symbolizing the Duchy of Brittany.

We are now walking on the rampart.

Starting our walk.

View of the harbor and the big boat we saw earlier.

View of the Intra-Muros.

Starting our walk.

The city inside is really well kept.

The pointy roof in the background is the Cathedral of Saint Malo.

Gorgeous view of the harbor

Lots of boats in the marina.

We passed by so many beautiful rooftops and chimneys.

From above, the city inside Saint Malo is very picturesque

Beautiful architecture.

Statue of Rene Duguay-Trouin, 1673-1736. This bronze statue was dedicated in 1973 on the occasion of the tercentenary of Duguay-Trouin's birth and stands on the platform of the Fort Saint-Louis in the southeast corner of the city.

Quai Saint Louis

View of the North Atlantic Ocean

Breathtaking view from above.

The Saint Philip Bastion is a projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall to allow defensive fire in several directions.

When you look to the right you get to see the Intra-Muros buildings.

View to the ocean with the Saint Philip bastion in the cneter.

The Saint Philip Bastion was named in honor of Philip ll or Orleans, regent of France. Dating from 1714, Saint Philip Bastion has the shape of an irregular triangle

Breathtaking view

Plage Du mole is sandy beach located in the very middle of the historical center right underneath the city walls.

View of the Petit Be island in the distance.

Continuing our walk on Rue Guy Louvel.

More views of the Little Be Island.

Going up into a vista point.

Ancient cannons on the wall of Saint Malo

A cannon on the rampart.

Bon Secours beach

The Bon Secours Beach is accessible by the ramparts and the fortified city. This sandy beach is very popular, thanks to its seawater swimming pool equipped with a diving board and its sailing school

You can see the diving board in the center.

Closer view of the diving baord on the left and on the right is the Little Be island.

NEXT... Day 3-Saint Malo Continuation