Take a tour of the ramparts of Saint-Malo

A walk rich in views …

The high wall that surrounds the city of Saint-Malo forms a loop of about two kilometers. It is possible to go down and back up wherever you want, from the different staircases located at each gate.We advise you to start the walk by taking La Porte Saint-Thomas, located behind the Place Chateaubriand. From this access, you will have a direct and exceptional view of the great beach of the Sillon on your right, the National Fort in front and on your left the islet of Grand Bé. The first part of the walkway will lead you to the Fort à la Reine, where at its feet exploded the “Machine Infernale”, an English ship loaded with gunpowder with the aim of destroying Saint-Malo and which ran aground on the rocks between the Fort à la Reine and the Bidouane Tower. Looking left, you will see the famous rue du Chat qui danse. Cat who according to history was the only victim of this infernal machine.Continuing your way, you can climb on the Bidouane Tower, an old powder magazine in the shape of a horseshoe. This place offers you a panorama on the whole bay of Saint-Malo, it is from here, that you will have the best view on the islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé. Going back to the ramparts, they will lead you to the Bastion de la Hollande from which you will be able to observe the beach of Bon Secours and the famous diving board of the seawater pool.

The curtain wall connecting the Bastion de la Hollande to the Bastion Saint-Philipp overlooks the Môle beach and the Môle des Noires, a 500-meter-long pier that protects the outer harbor.Then up to the Bastion Saint-Louis by taking the south curtain wall, you can admire the houses of rich Malouin shipowners or so-called privateers’ houses, recognizable by their high granite facades. The famous Robert Surcouf lived in one of them, near the Dinan Gate. Towards the outside of the ramparts, an interesting view of the City of Alet, the district of Saint-Servan and the port of Saint-Malo.Continuing this walk towards the Grand’ Porte, you will see from the ramparts, the most remarkable of the privateer’s houses, the Hôtel d’Asfeld, built for the amateur Magon de la Lande. And you will dominate, towards the outside of the ramparts, the quai Saint-Louis and the bassin Vauban. And so you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the port of Saint-Malo.The Grand’ Porte is the oldest gateway to Saint-Malo, it is part of the medieval enclosure, at that time, you could access it by boat. From the parapet walk, perspective view on the Grand’ rue and the bell tower of the Cathedral Saint-Vincent.You will finish your walk bythe Saint-Vincent Gate, now it is the main entrance gate of the Intra-Muros. This double gate is decorated externally with the arms of Brittany and the city. From here, you can observe the main street of Saint-Malo,St. Vincent Street and on the other side St. Vincent Esplanade and St. Malo Castle.