Gites in Saint-Malo

Discover Saint-Malo (35) and the surrounding area during your holiday

"Malouin first, Breton perhaps, French if there's any left" is Saint-Malo's motto, demonstrating a very strong identity.

Walk along the seawall during your stay, or the Sillon beach, past the Saint-Vincent gate, and climb the ramparts that encircle the old town. You'll have a splendid view of the coast and the Channel Islands. Book one of the Clévacances gîtes near Saint-Malo and stop off at Bon-Secours beach, where a reservoir allows you to take a dip whatever the tide! A crêpe, a galette or a kouign-amann will make an ideal gourmet break during your holiday week or weekend. At low tide, head for the islets that line the inner city and give you a good idea of the size of the fortified town. You'll discover the Fort National, built by Vauban, and the Grand Bé, home to the tomb of the romantic writer Chateaubriand. In the evening, there's nothing like fresh fish for dinner, before trying a few arranged rums in the bars of Intra-muros or Saint-Servan.

On the other side, heading off towards Cancale, follow the coast on foot or by car towards Les Rochers Sculptés de Rothéneuf. Before reaching Pointe du Groin in Cancale, discover the magnificent beaches at Saint-Coulomb and Cancale during your stay.

In the evening, a short stopover at Cancale is a must. Facing sunset, stop off at the oyster markets to gobble up some local specialities such as creuse oysters, flat oysters or a "pied-de-cheval". In the distance, you'll see Mont-Saint-Michel.

The other stage, which promises some great walks, is towards Fort La Latte, Cap Fréhel and its moorland strewn with gorse and heather. Book a gîte near Dinan, which lies inland and, more precisely, in the Rance valley, and will offer you its medieval streets, and its port.

Activities to do around Saint-Malo during your holiday in Ille-et-Vilaine

This region in north-east France is very rich in activities, to enjoy on your own or in a group: water sports, hiking or horse riding, heritage, gastronomy, nature tours, shows… Enough to delight all travellers in search of discovery and thrills.

For heritage lovers, book one of the Clévacances gîtes and set off to discover the Malouinières, the 18th-century second homes of shipowners, mostly located between Saint-Malo and Saint-Coulomb. The Cathédrale Saint-Vincent in the city centre, the Tour Solidor in Saint-Servan, and the Cathédrale de Dol-de-Bretagne are also well worth a visit during your holiday week or at the weekend. The owners of L'Hôtel Magon-Asfeld, one of the few shipowners' residences to escape the 1944 bombings, offer you an immersive tour.

The region has preserved some remarkable châteaux such as La Bourbansais, de Combourg or Fougères with its fortresses in perfect condition.

Modern history buffs can visit the Second World War memorial in the town of Aleth. The more recent tidal power plant on the Rance dam also opens its doors to visitors.

For animal lovers, book a gîte and visit the Grand aquarium de Saint Malo, the Micro Zoo insectarium and the Parc Zoologique de la Bourbansais, which will delight young and old alike. There are also organised dolphin watching trips in the Bay of Cancale (Cancale). Finally, to discover the jewels of the local gastronomy, the Ferme Marine in Cancale reveals the secret of oysters while the Petit train marin in Cherrueix takes you to the bouchot mussel beds.

For sports enthusiasts, the coast offers an ideal playground. On the inland side, the GR 34, with its customs officers' trail, offers exceptional viewpoints. On the shore in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, you can go horse-riding or sand yachting. In the water, activities such as sea kayaking, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, optimist sailing and stand-up paddling leave you spoilt for choice! La Rance also offers electric boat trips, kayaking and paddle boarding, particularly from Dinan.

And since Mont-Saint-Michel is just 40 minutes from Saint-Malo, book a Clévacances gîte nearby and be sure not to miss a guided walk across its bay, a visit to its UNESCO-listed abbey and a stroll through its medieval streets.