Saint-Malo, the corsair city just a few minutes from your campsite

When you arrive at Saint-Malo from the C’est si Bon campsite in Brittany, you have to wonder whether the architect who decided to build this city was a madman or a genius. A bit of both, no doubt. Because it took a bit of madness to decide to build this stone vessel against the wind and the waves. On mild spring days, Saint-Malo is an inviting place to relax on the beach, but on high tide days, when the waves crash violently against its ramparts, the town reminds us of the extent to which man has had to come to terms with a nature as wild as it is sumptuous. It’s easy to understand why this town was the birthplace of privateers and explorers ready to defy the elements in every corner of the globe.

Saint-Malo from the ramparts

To start your visit to Saint-Malo, we recommend you begin with the ramparts. Climb up to the Porte Saint-Vincent and take the covered walkway. On one side, you’ll have a view of the sea, on the other the grey slate roofs of the old town. The view changes with the tides and the seasons. Personally, we love it when the tide is high and the sea raging, and the waves are testing the stone walls of the town. In calm weather, and at low tide, it’s a completely different spectacle, with long sandy beaches punctuated by pools left by the ebb tide. In the early evening, Bon-secours beach fills up with people enjoying the sunset over the natural seawater pool.

Getting lost in the maze of Saint-Malo streets

After enjoying the views from the ramparts, you’re back in Saint-Malo’s old town. The best way to discover Saint-Malo intra-muros is to get lost in its cobbled streets. The elegant granite mansions look as if they’ve stepped straight out of the glorious days of the privateers. However, this is not the case. Bombed in 1944, 80% of Saint-Malo was destroyed. The town was rebuilt identically after the war.

During the tourist season, Saint-Malo’s narrow streets are alive with restaurants and boutiques. As you stroll along, don’t forget to take a look at Saint-Vincent Cathedral and its lovely stained-glass windows.

Stroll to the Grand Bé

The Grand Bé is the peninsula facing Saint-Malo, off Bon-Secours beach. A visit requires a minimum of organization. It’s only possible at low tide. When the sea recedes, a paved path appears. Check the tide tables before venturing out, and make sure you return before the tide comes back in, otherwise you’ll be stuck for a few hours on the peninsula that’s now an island again. On the Grand Bé, nothing awaits you but the tomb of local hero Chateaubriand and, above all, a breathtaking view of the ramparts of Saint-Malo. Such a view that you’ll want to come back every hour of the day to enjoy the changing lights. Personally, we have a soft spot for twilight, when the sun glows red on the granite walls before the sky darkens and the city lights come on. If you’re staying several days at our campsite in Brittany, take advantage of the opportunity to discover Saint-Malo at different times of the day.

Saint-Malo Aquarium

How do you keep the kids busy when the weather’s gloomy?

The Saint-Malo Aquarium is a great alternative to a walk on the beach, should a rainy day punctuate your camping vacation in Brittany. The aquarium features no fewer than 10,000 fish of 600 different species in 10 different worlds. One of our favorite rooms is the Grotte Sous-Marine. At the heart of a 600,000-liter aquarium, this room plunges you into the midst of sharks, sea turtles and multicolored fish. Another of our favorites is the touch tank, where you can touch fish such as stingrays, which like to be caressed on the surface of the water. Kids will love it!