Top 10 Things to do Near St Malo

Rennes is the capital of Brittany with a history going back over 2000 years to a time when it was a small Gallic village named Condate. It is around an hour’s drive inland from St Malo and as a city of art, history and heritage, it is a must-see city for your French adventure. It has a unique combination of old and new, with over 90 protected historic monuments yet the University means that there are plenty of students bringing a youthful presence to the city. There are many attractions to visit including the City Hall Plaza, the Opera House and St Germain’s Church so you may have to extend your visit to make sure you see it all!

Dinard is a commune in northwestern Brittany full of beautiful beaches. Its position on the gulf stream means it boasts a warm climate, making it a hotspot for tourists and locals alike for a relaxing yet lively French escape. The city has an abundance of restaurants and bars for its visitors to enjoy, and the beautiful stretch of beaches mean that people can enjoy the golden sands and crystal waters late into the evening in the brighter summer months. Dinard is full of 5-star hotels and luxury accommodation to cater for the wealthy holiday makers who wish to spend their French escape in this stunning city.

La Pointe du Grouin marks the westernmost tip of the Bay of Mont-St-Michel and boasts beautiful views east and west. On either side of the Pointe is a coastal path and the southerly facing path leads you to an array of coves with small ports tucked inside. Each port is sheltered, creating beautiful places to sit and enjoy the view of the Bay of Mont-St-Michel. The coastal path westerly leads past a line of sandy bays and rocks, all with glorious views of the stunning French channel.

The Rochers Sculptes are a truly remarkable piece of art that are hidden at a little-known cliff in Rothéneuf, a city just north of St Malo. There are over 300 sculptures that were all chiseled into the rocks there by a deaf, mute and partially paralyzed priest, Adolphe Julien Fouré in the late 1800s. Fouré lived in Rothéneuf as a hermit and completed his sculptures using only a hammer and chisel. It is worth noting that there are no handrails or stairs there so make sure you are wearing proper footwear to explore the works of art.

Mont Garrot lies 17km south of St Malo and at 73m high, has a fantastic 360-degree view over the Rance Valley. You’ll find the small vineyard of Clos Garrot which used to be the site of wine cultivation by monks in the middle ages and underwent restoration in 2003 to the vineyard it is today. The vineyard has over 1000 vine plants which are all cultivated by hand without machinery. Near an old windmill on the peak of Mont Garrot, you’ll find the tomb of Gargantua the giant who was said to have been so big that he had to be folded seven times in order to be buried!