Tour the ramparts of Saint-Malo THE walk not to be missed!

A walk rich in views …

The high wall that surrounds the city of Saint-Malo forms a loop about two kilometres. You can go down and back up wherever you please, from the various staircases located at each gate.

We recommend starting the walk by taking the Porte Saint-Thomas, located behind the Place Chateaubriand. From this access, you will have a direct and exceptional view of the large Sillon beach on your right, the Fort National opposite and on your left the Grand Bé islet. The first part of the sentry walk is unique in that it’s the only segment where you’ll be able to penetrate inside the ramparts in the footsteps of 18th-century soldiers: this is the Saint-Thomas curtain wall (former Saint-Malo armoury) rehabilitated by the MicroZoo (entrance fee payable). This path will take 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 Tour Bidouane. Looking left, you’ll see the famous rue du Chat qui danse. Cat who, according to the story, was the only victim of this infernal machine.

Continuing on your way, you can climb ontothe Tour Bidouane, a former powder magazine in the shape of a horseshoe. This spot offers you a panoramic view of the entire bay of Saint-Malo, it is from here, that you will have the best view of the islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé. Returning to the ramparts, they will lead you to the Bastion de la Hollande from which you can observe Bon Secours beach and the famous diving board of the seawater pool.

The curtain wall linking the Bastion de la Hollande to the Bastion Saint-Philippe overlooks the Môle beach and the Môle des Noires, the 500-metre-long jetty that protects the outer harbour.

Then along the south curtain wall to the Bastion Saint-Louis, you can admire the houses of wealthy Malouin shipowners or so-called privateers’ houses, recognisable by their high granite facades. The famous Robert Surcouf lived in one of them, near the Porte de Dinan. Towards the outside of the ramparts, an interesting view of the Cité d’Alet, thequarter of Saint-Servan and the port of Saint-Malo.

Continuing this walk towardsthe Grand’ Porte, you will be able to 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’ll overlook, 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 get there by boat. From the parapet walk, perspective view of the Grand’ rue and the bell tower of the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent.

You will finish your stroll bythe Porte Saint-Vincent, now it is the main gateway to the Intra-Muros. This double gateway is decorated on the outside with the arms of Brittany and the town. From here, you can observe Saint-Malo’s main street,rue Saint-Vincent and on the other side the Esplanade Saint-Vincent and the Château de Saint-Malo.