Musée Jacques Cartier

St-Malo


This 16th-century manor house was the home of controversial explorer Jacques Cartier (1491–1557), who mapped the St Lawrence River and whose explorations laid the basis for France's claim to Canada. The museum illustrates the explorer's life, with visits by one-hour guided tour only (in French, but translation sheets are available).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby St-Malo attractions

1. Grande Plage

2.45 MILES

This very long, north-facing beach runs along the coast outside the Intra-Muros.

2. Fort National

2.92 MILES

The St-Malo ramparts' northern stretch looks across to the remains of this former prison, built by Vauban in 1689. Standing atop a rocky outcrop, the fort…

3. Château de St-Malo

2.99 MILES

Château de St-Malo was built by the dukes of Brittany in the 15th and 16th centuries, and is now the home of the Musée d'Histoire de St-Malo, which…

4. Musée d'Histoire de St-Malo

3.04 MILES

Within Château de St-Malo, built by the dukes of Brittany in the 15th and 16th centuries, this museum examines the life and history of the city through a…

5. Cathédrale St-Vincent

3.19 MILES

The city's centrepiece was constructed between the 12th and 18th centuries. During the ferocious fighting of August 1944, the cathedral was badly mauled,…

6. La Demeure de Corsaire

3.24 MILES

This 18th-century mansion and historic monument was once owned by corsair (privateer) François Auguste Magon. Guided tours are knowledgeably presented but…

7. Ramparts

3.35 MILES

Constructed at the end of the 17th century under military architect Vauban, and measuring 1.8km, the ramparts of St-Malo can be accessed from several…

8. Plage de Bon Secours

3.36 MILES

You can splash in the protected tidal swimming pool west of St-Malo's walls at Plage de Bon Secours, wander along the sand or climb the diving board to…