Sights in St Malo
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Cathédrale St-Vincent
The town’s centrepiece was constructed between the 12th and 18th centuries, but damage during WWII was severe. A mosaic plaque on the floor of the nave marks the spot where Jacques Cartier received the blessing of the bishop of St-Malo before his ‘voyage of discovery’ to Canada in 1535. Cartier’s tomb – all that remains of it post-1944 is his entombed head – is in a chapel on the north side of the choir.
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Île du Grand Bé
At low tide, cross the beach to walk out via the Porte des Bés to the rocky islet of Île du Grand Bé, where the great St-Malo-born 18th-century writer Chateaubriand is buried. Once the tide rushes in, the causeway remains impassable for about six hours; check tide times with the tourist office. Depths can be deceptive; if you get caught out, stay on the islet until the tide subsides.
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Musée du Château
Within the Château de St-Malo, built by the dukes of Brittany in the 15th and 16th centuries, is the Musée du Château, also known as the Musée d’Histoire de la Ville (city history museum). The museum’s most interesting exhibits – the history of cod fishing on the Grand Banks and photos of St-Malo after WWII – are in the Tour Générale.
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Mémorial 39–45
Constructed in the mid-18th century, Fort de la Cité was used as a German base during WWII. One of the bunkers now houses the Mémorial 39–45, which depicts St-Malo’s violent WWII history and liberation, and includes a 45-minute film in French. Some guided visits are conducted in English; call ahead to confirm times.
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Grand Aquarium
Allow around two hours to see St-Malo’s excellent aquarium. About 4km south of the city centre, it’s a great wet-weather alternative for kids, with a minisubmarine descent and a bassin tactile (touch pool), where you can fondle rays, turbot – even a baby shark. Bus C1 from the train station passes by every half-hour.
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Fort National
The ramparts’ northern stretch looks across to the remains of this former prison, built by Vauban in 1689. Standing atop a rocky outcrop, the fort can only be accessed at low tide. Ask at the tourist office for times of tours during your stay.
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Musée International du Long Cours Cap-Hornier
Housed in the 14th-century Tour Solidor, this museum presents the life of the hardy sailors who followed the dangerous Cape Horn route around the southern tip of South America. It also offers superb views from the top of the tower.
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La Maison de Corsaire
You can visit this 18th-century mansion and historic monument, once owned by corsair (privateer) François Auguste Magon. Guided tours are in French; descriptions are available in English.
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Fort du Petit Bé
About 100m beyond the Île du Grand Bé is the Vauban-built 17th-century Fort du Petit Bé, also accessible at low tide.
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Walled City
St-Malo's first inhabitants originally lived in St-Servan but later moved to this former island, which became linked to the mainland by the sandy isthmus of Le Sillon in the 13th century. For the best views of the walled city, stroll along the top of the ramparts, constructed at the end of the 17th century under the military architect Vauban, and measuring just over a mile. There's free access at several places, including all the main city gates.
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Musée International du Long Cours Cap-Hornier
Musée International du Long Cours Cap-Hornier is in the 14th-century Tour Solidor. Presenting the life of the hardy sailors who followed the Cape Horn route, it offers superb views from the top of the tower.
reviewed
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Musée du Château
The museum's most interesting exhibits - the history of cod fishing on the Grand Banks and photos of St-Malo after WWII - are in the Tour Générale.
reviewed
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Mémorial 39-45
The pretty fishing port of St-Servan sits southwest of the walled city. Constructed in the mid-18th century, Fort de la Cité was used as a German base during WWII. One of the bunkers now houses Mémorial 39-45, which depicts St-Malo's violent WWII history and liberation and includes a 45-minute film in French. Some guided visits are conducted in English; call ahead to confirm times.
reviewed
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La Maison de Corsaire
La Maison de Corsaire, once owned by corsair (privateer) François Auguste Magon, is an 18th-century mansion and historic monument. Guided tours are in French; descriptions are available in English.
reviewed
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Île du Grand Bé
At low tide, cross the beach to walk out via the Porte des Bés to this rocky islet, where the great St-Malo-born 18th-century writer Chateaubriand is buried. Once the tide rushes in, the causeway remains impassable for about six hours - check tide times with the tourist office. Depths can be deceptive; if you get caught out, stay on the islet until the tide subsides.
reviewed
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Grand Aquarium
Allow around two hours to see the excellent Grand Aquarium. About 4km south of the city centre, it's a great wet-weather alternative for kids with mini-submarine descent and bassin tactile (touch pool), where you can fondle rays, turbot - even a baby shark. Bus No 5, direction Grassinais, passes by every half-hour.
reviewed
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Fort National
Fort National is the remains of the former prison. The ramparts' northern stretch looks out across to the remains, which are are only accessible at low tide.
reviewed
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Cathédrale St-Vincent
Though you'd never guess it from the cobblestone streets and monuments reconstructed in 17th- and 18th-century style, around 80% of St-Malo's old city was destroyed in 1944 in the battle to drive German forces out. Damage to the Cathédrale St-Vincent, constructed between the 12th and 18th centuries and the town's centrepiece, was severe.
A mosaic plaque on the floor of the nave marks the spot where Jacques Cartier received the blessing of the bishop of St-Malo before his 'voyage of discovery' to Canada in 1535. Cartier's tomb - all that remains post-1944 is his head - is in a chapel on the north side of the choir.
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Aquarium Intra-Muros
Within the old city's walls, the tiny Aquarium Intra-Muros has a colourful collection of tropical river fish.
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