Saint-Malo, Fortified port city in Brittany, France
Saint-Malo is a walled coastal city in Brittany on the English Channel, surrounded by massive granite fortifications. The narrow lanes of the old town lead to small squares with stone houses, while towers and bastions mark the outline of the historic settlement.
A monastery from the 6th century gave the settlement its name and later developed into a fortified harbor. Privateers operated from here starting in the 16th century and conducted raids against English merchant ships, bringing the city wealth and military importance.
Locals call themselves "Malouins" and maintain a long seafaring tradition that still shows in the restaurants and fish markets today. Fishermen return each morning with fresh catch and sell it directly at the harbor, where visitors experience the daily rhythm of coastal life.
A walk along the city wall takes about an hour and offers views over the sea and surrounding islands. At low tide you can walk to the offshore forts on foot, but watch the tides carefully to avoid being caught by rising water.
The entire old town was rebuilt after World War Two destruction using original techniques and matching materials. Stonemasons used the same granite quarries as the original construction, so the houses today are almost indistinguishable from the historic originals.
Location: arrondissement of Saint-Malo
Location: Ille-et-Vilaine
Location: Saint-Malo Agglomération
Elevation above the sea: 25 m
Shares border with: Saint-Coulomb, Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes, Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets
Address: Av. Anita Conti, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Website: http://ville-saint-malo.fr
GPS coordinates: 48.64944,-2.02611
Latest update: December 4, 2025 14:20
The Tour de France 2025 takes place from July 5 to 27 and marks the 112th edition of this major bike race. It is one of the three biggest road cycling events of the year. This collection shows the towns where the Tour caravan will stop, from northern cities like Lille and Dunkirk to the Norman lands and beyond. Each stage crosses regions full of history and character. You will see port towns facing the English Channel, old mining areas turned into new places, and medieval towns where the buildings tell stories of the past centuries. From Dunkirk’s bell tower to Lille’s fortifications, from Amiens’ cathedral to the half-timbered houses of Rouen, these spots show the country’s history. Some towns also have museums and monuments that remember key moments, like Caen with its memorial, or Bayeux with its famous 11th-century tapestry. Following the Tour is also about traveling through these regions and seeing how cycling has been a part of daily life for more than a hundred years.
Saint-Malo is a seaside town where stone is everywhere. Strong city walls surround the old part. Gray granite streets lead down to the harbor. Sand beaches stretch along the walls. Walking on the walls, you see the bay and islands on the horizon. Fort National sits on its island, reachable at low tide, and Sillon beach offers a direct view of the sea from the town center. The Solidor tower and old gates like Porte Saint-Vincent remind us of the port’s long history. The photos show places that link the town to the sea. You can see beaches like Éventail, Bon-Secours, and La Hoguette, each with its own feel. The 12th-century walls are good for walking because they always give a view of the water. Parks like Jardin des Douves and the village of Aleth show how nature and history live side by side here. Even Rue du Jerzual in Dinan, outside Saint-Malo, shows old crafts and houses built into the hills.
Rance Tidal Power Station
3.5 km
Rochers sculptés de Rothéneuf
5.8 km
Tomb of Chateaubriand
650 m
Great Aquarium Saint-Malo
4.1 km
Cézembre
4.5 km
Grand Bé
615 m
Ramparts of Saint-Malo
327 m
Aleth
1.5 km
Solidor Tower
1.7 km
Saint-Malo Cathedral
41 m
Fort National
622 m
Petit Bé
961 m
Saint Malo Castle
327 m
Fort de la Conchée
4 km
Les Remparts de Saint-Malo
208 m
Île Harbour
3.2 km
Villa Les Roches Brunes
2.5 km
Pointe de la Varde
4.6 km
Grand hôtel des Thermes marins
2.2 km
Manoir de Limoëlou
5.1 km
Château de la Briantais
3.6 km
Château de Montmarin
5.5 km
Mémorial 39-45 de Saint-Malo
1.4 km
Aleth Cathedral
1.3 km
Saint-Malo Intra-Muros
77 m
Plage de l'Écluse
2.6 km
Musée d’Histoire de la Ville et du Pays Malouin
274 m
National Fort
649 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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