Saint-Malo, where Chateaubriand, Jacques Cartier and Robert Surcouf were born, is without a doubt the pearl of the Emerald Coast. Perched on a granite rock, at the mouth of the Rance River, the city, enclosed in its ramparts, proudly raises its high silhouette of granite and slate. And offers many events not to be missed, such as "La Route du rock", its flagship festival, its international book and film fair "Étonnants Voyageurs", its comic book and projected image fair "Quai des Bulles", or the mythical Route du Rhum which takes place every 4 years. The departure of the race having been postponed on Sunday, it is on Wednesday that the sailors will set off from the corsair city. A unique opportunity to discover a legendary city.

Discovering the soul of Saint-Malo

Originally, Saint-Malo is an island, connected to the land by the narrow isthmus of the Sillon. The rock will be attached to Paramé only in the eighteenth century. This position made it a natural stronghold that undoubtedly decided a destiny marked by incessant struggles and a fierce claim to independence. There is undoubtedly a Malouin soul, shaped by centuries of struggles on land and sea. The Malouins will always want to take in hand their own destiny, forging very early a motto that proclaims loud and clear their beautiful independence: "Neither French, nor Breton, Malouin suis..."

As for the museum, you can go and visit the Jacques Cartier museum. Ancestor of the Malouinières, this manor is the only place that testifies to the presence of Jacques Cartier in Saint-Malo. Restored and fitted out, it presents to the public the daily life and travels of the man who discovered Canada in 1534. Temporary exhibitions are regularly organized there, as well as animations in summer. In the bookstore, you will find French and Canadian editions, as well as books dedicated to Jacques Cartier, the 16th century, the Great Discoveries, the Amerindians, New France and the history of Canada, and Canadian products.

To continue your visit of the city, go to the Magon Hotel. The Magons de la Lande, a great family of shipowners from Saint-Malo, were also great builders. In the 18th century, one of its rich members, François-Auguste Magon de La Lande, a shipowner and privateer under Louis XV and then director of the East India Company, built this magnificent residence of sixty rooms classified as a historical monument - thirty of which have interior fireplaces - with a discreet and sober facade in spite of its high windows, its hemicycle staircase and its high roof topped by monumental fireplaces (including the largest in Saint-Malo!). Inside, an imposing staircase with a wrought iron banister leads to the superb rooms decorated with woodwork, marble fireplaces... a beautiful terrace offers a breathtaking view of the port. Today, the house is composed of several apartments and secret staircases. Note that a guest room is open for rent to individuals during the month of July.

Finally, the city of Saint-Malo was heavily affected by the bombings of the Second World War. To remember, the city inaugurated in 1994 the Memorial 39-45 in the blockhouse of the German anti-aircraft defense, inside the courtyard of Fort Alet. 500 m², in a dozen rooms on three levels, replaces the visitor in this dark period of the region Malouine. Photos, mannequins, weapons, documents are there to recreate the atmosphere of that time and develop the following themes: The invasion of 1940 - The use of the port - The construction of blockhouses - The City of Alet - The battle for the Liberation with the exclusive Nazi flag of the City of Alet signed by the Americans - Cézembre ... It's new, now, two thematic guided tours are proposed to you: one on the history and the other on the discovery of the fortifications.

Exceptional emblems

You can then head for the National Fort. The fort is open to visitors when the French flag is raised. Access is at low tide. Days and times can be consulted on the website and at the tourist office. Located on the beach of the Fan, facing the castle of Saint-Malo, the National Fort, former royal fort built in 1689 by Garangeau on the plans of Vauban and on the orders of the Sun King, is accessible at low tide from the coale Saint-Vincent at the foot of the castle of Saint-Malo. Classified as a historical monument since 1906, the National Fort is restored in the rules of art with the support of the Bâtiments de France. Since 2000, major work has been undertaken: the restoration of the drawbridge, the bastion, the repointing of the surrounding walls, a wrought iron gate, a "Spanish" door of the powder magazine, the cover of the cistern. Its exceptional situation promises you pure moments of eternity.

Then, we pass behind the Grand Bé, a small island accessible on foot on which lies the Malouin writer Chateaubriand, to admire the fort of the Petit Bé. Built by Vauban and Garangeau between 1689 and 1707, it is, according to Vauban, "the best and most beautiful of all our forts". After a century and a half of abandonment, a passionate person has launched, several years ago, in the restoration of the fort in order to give it back its letters of nobility and find the authenticity which was his. Guided tours will allow you to discover the history of the place. And the fort offers a breathtaking 360° panoramic view.

In Saint-Malo, a unique aquarium

Then go and discover the seabed and meet the 10,000 fish in the Aquarium of Saint-Malo. From the cold abyssal seas to the warm tropical seas, more than 600 species of all shapes and colors are waiting to amaze and surprise young and old. Discover the Ring of the Seas, a 360° aquarium, where the sharks will make your head spin; the touch tank to come into direct contact with the animals; and dive aboard the Nautibus submarine to admire 5,000 fish through the restitution of a natural marine universe. Travel to the heart of the deep aboard the Abyssal Descender, a larger-than-life simulator and a unique attraction in the world.

The Route du Rhum, destination Guadeloupe

And every 4 years, Saint-Malo is used as a backstage for the preparations of the skippers engaged on the Atlantic crossing of the mythical Route du Rhum. After the postponement of the start last Sunday due to bad weather, the foghorn should sound this Wednesday, November 9 to launch the great race towards the archipelago of Guadeloupe. A perfect opportunity to applaud and encourage the sailors who compete in 6 categories: Ultime, Imoca, Class 40, Multi 50, Rhum Mono and Rhum Multi) and enjoy one last time the numerous exhibitors who have spread out all over the corsair city, on no less than 70 000 square meters! A record for a unique maritime event

Useful information

When to come? Of course, you can come to Saint-Malo all year round, although the arrival of the warm weather is obviously more pleasant. To attend the launch of the Route du Rhum, go on Wednesday, November 9, after the postponement of the start on Sunday.

How to get there. The SNCF train station is about 15 minutes' walk from the entrance to the walls. The nearest airport, Saint-Malo-Dinard-Pleurtuit, is located 10 km from the city.

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