France / Normandy, Mont-Saint-Michel & Saint-Malo / Saint-MaloSaint-Malo
The Walled Corsair City and Its Giant Tides
The walled corsair port on Brittany's north coast, rebuilt stone by stone after 1944: walk the ramparts all the way round, cross the sand at low tide to Grand Bé island (Chateaubriand's grave) and the Fort National, and swim in the Bon-Secours sea pool the tide refills. The tides are among the biggest in Europe, so the beaches change by the hour: check the tide times before crossing to the islands. Cancale's oyster beds are 15 km east, Dinard's belle-époque villas across the Rance estuary by boat, and Mont-Saint-Michel about an hour away. Direct TGVs from Paris Montparnasse take about 2 h 20-2 h 55. Crêpes, galettes and salted butter.
Highlights
- Walk the ramparts round the walled city
- Grand Bé island at low tide
- Fort National
- Bon-Secours tidal sea pool
- Cancale oysters on the quay
- Boat across the Rance to Dinard
- Crêpes and galettes
- Day trip to Mont-Saint-Michel
Things to do
- Ramparts walk round the walled cityMorning · 2h
- Grand Bé and the Fort National at low tide (check the tide times)Afternoon · 2h
- Bon-Secours sea pool and the beachesAfternoon · 2h
- Cancale oysters on the quay and the Pointe du GrouinMorning · 3h 30m
- Boat across the Rance to Dinard's belle-époque villasAfternoon · 3h
- Sunset from the ramparts and a galette dinnerEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – September
Heads up
Check the Tides Before Crossing to Grand Bé
The causeway to Grand Bé and the Fort National is covered at high tide, and the sea comes in fast across the sand: cross around low tide, read the times posted at the slipway, and come back in good time. The biggest tides come round the March and September equinoxes, when storm waves can break over the sea walls.
Heads up
Summer Holidays on the Channel Coast
July and August are French school holidays: Saint-Malo, Honfleur, Étretat and Deauville are at their busiest, with full car parks and rooms that sell out. Book ahead, or come in June or September, when the days are long and the towns quieter.