Not only does St-Malo offer enough to occupy most visitors for a few days, but it is also within easy reach of several places in Brittany and beyond that make for ideal day trips.
What’s more, the coastal position of St-Malo at the mouth of the Rance estuary, coupled with efficient local rail and bus services, mean that such excursions are not merely restricted to those visitors with their own transportation.
Destinations range from the grandeur of the world famous Mont St-Michel to the lesser known medieval town of Dinan. Those who enjoy dining, beaches and walking are well catered for at places such as Cancale, Dinard and the Cote d’Emeraude.
Day-Trip Destinations
Mont St-Michel
One of the most popular tourist attractions in France, Mont St-Michel was granted UNESCO world heritage status in 1979.
The magnificent abbey seated on a rocky tidal outcrop can be seen for miles across the flat bay and the site is visited by millions each year.
Dinan
A medieval jewel in the crown of Brittany. Its timber framed buildings, sheltered behind massive ramparts, lean out over the narrow cobbled streets.
Every two years the town stages a major festival dedicated to all aspects of medieval living.
Cote d’Emeraude
This review covers the stretch of the Cote d’Emeraude (Emerald Coast) beyond Dinard to the west of St-Malo.
Here a region of small resorts and sandy beaches tucked between estuaries lead on to the wilder and more remote peninsula at Cap Frehel.
Dinard
Often described as St-Malo’s prim sister, the two face each other across the entrance to the Rance estuary.
This genteel holiday destination was one of the most fashionable holiday resorts in the world at the height of its popularity in the 19th century.
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Cancale
The picturesque fishing port of Cancale is the oyster capital of Brittany. It is home to an abundance of excellent seafood restaurants that attract visitors from near and far.
The town is located on the western edge of the Bay of Mont St-Michel and it is just possible to make out the Mont on a clear day.