Best of Saint-Malo

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Saint-Malo

The beautiful walled city of Saint-Malo enjoys a dramatic setting over a craggy shoreline on the north coast of Brittany. Behind the thick ramparts, the maze-like streets are dotted with soaring church spires and grand mansions of former merchants and sea captains. The best view over the rooftops of town is from the lookout tower of the Château de St-Malo, built by the Dukes of Brittany in the 15th and 16th centuries. Saint-Malo is packed with other fascinating vestiges from the past (including bunkers used during WWII), and you can break up your sightseeing with walks along the broad beaches beneath the city walls.

Guided walks take you to enchanting vantage points around the city — including memorable sunset strolls along the ramparts. Saint-Malo is a handy base for day trips to the monastery-village of Mont St-Michel (an hour’s drive to the east) and the vibrant city Rennes (an hour to the south). Beyond the highlights, you can explore quaint Breton villages like Saint Suliac and Dinan, walk the Emerald Coast with its impressive cliffs and end the day with an oyster tasting in Cancale.

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Classic Brittany: Saint-Malo & Quimper - 5 Days

Escape to one of France's most beguiling regions on this 5-day jaunt through coastal Brittany. A direct train ride from Paris takes you to the atmospheric walled city of Saint-Malo, where you'll sample local delicacies like crêpes and oysters and immerse yourself in Breton culture. Continue to the elegant resort of Dinard, explore the sweeping white sand beaches of Concarneau, then turn inland from the wild Brittany coast to end your journey among the half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets of Quimper.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Normandy & Brittany - 5 Days

Get away from it all on this luxurious 5-day trip to Normandy and Brittany. Fly in to Paris, then head to Bayeux on the coast. Check out the tapestry, tour Mont-Saint-Michel, and explore World War II history. At night, relax over fresh seafood dinners paired with chilled white wine at your neighborhood brasserie.

Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Normandy, & Brittany - 8 Days

Pack the family and hit the road for a self-drive trip through western France. Spend eight days seeing art in Paris, learning about history in Normandy, and vacationing on the seaside like the French. See Paris from the eyes of your kids with a treasure hunt at the Louvre, tour D-Day sites, and get an adrenaline rush when you try sand yachting

Mont-Saint-Michel Countryside Cycling Tour - 6 Days

Imagine cycling across expanses of farmland as you spot something floating in the distance—a spire reaching toward the sky, extending above tiers of weathered stone resting on a rocky island. The towering island of Mont-Saint-Michel, its ancient abbey, and its serene bay are the major highlight of this six-day cycling tour, but the rest of the region has plenty to recommend it. You'll start and end in the walled port city of Saint-Malo, making your way through the countryside of Brittany and Normandy to destinations including the fishing port of Cancale and the village of Dinan.

Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Normandy, & Brittany - 9 Days

See the Eiffel Tower in Paris, explore tidal pools on the beaches of Normandy, and learn about pirates and seafaring history in the walled city on this packed 9-day family road trip. From delicious French pastries in the capital city to fresh-caught seafood in the neighborhood brasserie, there's no shortage of culinary delights. For young travelers, treasure hunts, sand yachting, and more up the adventure.

Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 10 Days

From the big city lights and historical museums of Paris to the quiet beaches of Western France, there's something on this 10-day road trip to delight everyone in the family, regardless of age. Start your journey in the capital city to explore highlights like the Louvre and Versailles, then rent a car and head west. Sample fresh seafood, try sand yachting, and learn about D-Day history on the beaches of Normandy.

Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Caen & Saint-Malo - 7 Days

For a family road trip that leads you through the diversity of French culture and history, look no further than this week-long itinerary. Start in Paris to savor its highlights and cuisine before driving to Normandy to encounter the moving legacy of the D-Day landings. See architectural and religious history on display in the abbeys of Caen and Mont-Saint-Michel, and learn about rogues of the past in Saint-Malo, all while you enjoy the fun of touring by segway and learning to "sand yacht" together.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, & Brittany - 8 Days

Stroll the Champs de Mars under the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower and vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside on this luxurious 8-day getaway. Walk through the gilded halls of Versailles and cruise along the Seine at night, then head west along the coast for medieval abbeys, fresh seafood, and World War II sites.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 11 Days

Spend 11 days exploring western France with your family on this packed itinerary. Experience Paris at night, go on a treasure hunt in the Louvre and fill up on French patisseries. Continue west to immerse yourself in the history of D-Day, spend time on the beach, and explore medieval castles.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 12 Days

If twelve days in France with the family sounds perfect, keep reading. From art museums and chocolate pastries in Paris to small Bordeaux towns and the Normandy countryside, this trip gives you a taste of it all. As a final hurrah, travel back in time to the age of Cro Magnon as you explore the Cave Paintings of Dordogne.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 12 Days

Twelve days enjoying Parisian architecture, Normandy seafood, and Loire Valley wine—what could be sweeter? See the Eiffel Tower and learn to bake authentic French baguettes in the capital, then head to the coast for medieval ruins, fresh mussels, and World War II history. Wrap the trip up in the Loire Valley, where stately chateaus line the quiet country lanes and vineyards stretch out of sight.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 13 Days

If you've got thirteen days off and a family that wants to head to France, consider yourself lucky. Start in Paris, where art museum scavenger hunts and delicious treats keep youngsters entertained, then head west to the windswept beaches of Normandy to see the D-Day landing site and tour the 1,000-year-old Mont-Saint-Michel, among other ancient castles.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 13 Days

Spend thirteen lucky days luxuriating in some of France's finest regions, from Paris to the Loire Valley. Kick things off in the City of Lights, where you'll explore history and take a day trip to Versailles. From there, head to Normandy on the coast, where small fishing villages and D-Day sites dot the landscape. End in the Loire Valley, where you'll relax in peaceful vineyards and tour elegant chateaus.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo & Bordeaux - 14 Days

Two weeks is the perfect time to dive deeper into some of France's western regions with the family. Start in Paris to see the highlights like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, then head off the beaten path in the west. Older kids will enjoy learning about history at the D-Day site and canoeing in Dordogne before traveling back in time to explore the prehistoric Lascaux cave.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 14 Days

If you dream of spending two luxurious weeks exploring history and cuisine in western France, this itinerary is for you. Visit the Louvre and Versailles and learn to bake bread the authentic French way. Continue to Normandy and Brittany on the coast to explore medieval abbeys and sample fresh-caught seafood. Wrap things up in the Loire Valley, where resplendent Châteaus and endless vineyards await.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 15 Days

Your fifteen-year-olds might smell like Cro Magnon man, but they've never seen anything like the prehistoric Lascaux cave—a perfect recreation of the original. See this and more on this fifteen-day tour, including ascending to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, viewing a D-Day documentary film in Normandy, and learning to make Bordeaux caneles (the sweet cakes) as a family.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 15 Days

Spend fifteen days exploring Paris and the western regions on this luxurious itinerary. Start in the City of Lights, where you'll stroll the Champs de Mars under the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower and eat your weight in croissants. Head to the coast for apple cider tours, fresh seafood, and the famed Normandy beaches. End the trip in the Loire Valley to go wine tasting and see where Da Vinci spent his last years.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 16 Days

With sixteen days in France with the family, the world is your Normandy oyster. Eat the oyster (and other seafood, too!) as you tour the Normandy coast, famous for its fresh seafood. You'll also feast on French pastries in Paris, check out medieval castles, and walk the streets of various small towns as you explore the Bordeaux region.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 16 Days

From the Paris Opera to the beaches of Brittany, explore Western France in luxury on this 16-day itinerary. Learn to bake bread the French way and stroll through Versaille's resplendent halls, then head to the coast to explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast. Enjoy fresh seafood in a typical brasserie in Saint-Malo, then end the trip in the Loire valley, where fairytale castles and vineyards abound.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Basque, & More - 17 Days

If you think it's hard to drag your 17-year-old along on family vacations, try deciding between chocolate and plain croissants in Paris. Thankfully, that's the hardest choice you'll make on this 17-day itinerary of Paris and western France, including Normandy, Brittany, and the Bordeaux region. End your trip in Basque Country, where they have entire museums dedicated to cakes.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, & Loire Valley - 9 Days

From the gilded halls of Versailles to the resplendent Châteaus of the Loire Valley, explore Western France in all its luxury on this 9-day getaway. Stroll the Champs de Mars under the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower, explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast, and visit Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island. End the trip with a tour of the resplendent Châteaus de Chambord and Chenonceau.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Basque, & More - 18 Days

There are countless reasons to head to western France with the family, but this itinerary gives 18 great ones. Spend the trip exploring museums in Paris, enjoying the beaches of southern Brittany, and browsing small farmers' markets along the coast. End your trip in Bordeaux and Basque, where you'll learn to make caneles and eat your weight in fresh fruit and olives.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 10 Days

Dive into French culture and settle into a quieter pace of life on this 10-day luxury trip to Western France. Start in Paris, where you'll learn history in the l’Ile de la Cité and take a day trip to the gilded halls of Versailles. Head west to tour D-Day sites in Normandy and explore Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island. Round out the trip with two days in the Loire Valley, famous for castles and wine alike.

Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 19 Days

Drive along the Atlantic Coast on this nineteen-day road trip through western France. Start in Paris to see world-famous galleries at the Louvre and walk along the Seine River, then head west to explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast. Visit Mont-Saint-Michel, the abbey on an island, and enjoy fresh seafood in a typical brasserie. End the trip in Bordeaux to sample the best of France’s wine and cuisine.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Basque, & More - 19 Days

Spend nineteen days exploring Paris and western France with the family on this comprehensive itinerary. Start in Paris where a Louvre scavenger hunt will entertain kids of all ages, then head west along the coast. Follow your nose to the paella booths at small-town farmer's markets, visit the 1,000-year-old Mont-Saint-Michel, then end your trip near Bordeaux to see prehistoric caves and medieval villages.

Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 20 Days

Vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside on this 20-day road trip through western France. You'll walk through the gilded halls of Versailles, immerse yourself in history on the D-Day beaches, and sample the best of France’s wine and cuisine in Bordeaux. For a taste of authentic western France life, haggle with vendors for your lunch at an 18th-century market, then head to the beach to enjoy wine and seafood on the water.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Basque, & More - 20 Days

Dive into history, culture, and nature on this comprehensive 20-day family itinerary of western France. Start in Paris for city highlights, like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, then head west to see the site of D-Day and tour medieval castles. Round your trip out with canoeing on the Dordogne, traveling back to the time of Cro Magnon in the Lascaux Caves, and sampling seafood on the Brittany coast.

Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Normandy, Basque Country, & More - 21 Days

From art museums in Paris and WWII history in Normandy to the pirate's haunt of Saint-Malo and the beaches of Southern Brittany, there's plenty for kids and young adults alike to do on this three-week adventure through France. And if your family likes to drink wine together, you'll especially look forward to the days in Bordeaux—one of the world's leading winemaking regions.

France Scenic Self-Drive Getaway: Castles, Forts & Vineyards - 21 Days

Discover all the things that fairy tales are made of on this comprehensive, three-week tour of France. Start in Normandy, where you'll explore the rugged coastline and massive fortresses. Head to the Loire Valley for lavish châteaux, gardens, and vineyards, then turn south into the Dordogne and discover its unusual natural scenery. Continue to Lyon and immerse yourself in its "foodie" culture before embarking on a wine-tasting extravaganza between Châteauneuf and Burgundy.

Explore France's Western Route- 21 Days

Take the back roads of western France to discover a splendor of highlights and hidden gems on this three-week adventure. Start in Paris, where you'll climb the Eiffel Tower and visit Versailles. Head to the northern coasts and see the most beautiful spots of Brittany and Normandy. Go south to the Loire Valley to live the fairy tale life surrounded by castles and vineyards, and activate your taste buds as you savor cognac and wine amid the country's most famous vineyards and medieval villages.

Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 11 Days

From the Opéra Garnier in Paris to the quiet countryside of the Loire Valley, this luxurious 11-day itinerary covers the highlights—and much more. Walk through the gilded halls of Versailles, explore the fishing villages and beaches of the Atlantic Coast, and visit Mont-Saint-Michel: the abbey on an island. End the trip with wine tasting in the Loire Valley and see where Da Vinci spent his final years.

Spend two leisurely days driving around the Brittany region

Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley - 14 Days

This epic trip loops around three beloved regions in France with a nice mix of free time and guided tours. Start in Normandy to visit historical sites—spanning 900 years—between Bayeux and Omaha Beach. Next is Brittany where you'll have free time (and a car) to explore the wild, rugged coastline at your own pace. Then experience UNESCO-listed villages and castles in the Loire Valley before finishing with two days in Paris.

Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, & More - 18 Days

If spending eighteen days driving from France's capital down the western Atlantic Coast sounds like the perfect getaway, this itinerary is for you. Start in Paris for flaky croissants and strong espresso, then hit the road for the coast. Vacation like the French on the Normandy seaside as you explore medieval and WWII history, then continue to the Loire Valley to see resplendent châteaus. End in Bordeaux, where the wine and oysters are unparalleled.

Other popular travel destinations in France
Paris · Provence · French Riviera · Nice · Normandy · Loire Valley · Aix-en-Provence · Lyon · Rhône Valley · Bordeaux · Amboise · French Alps · Bayeux · Brittany · Marseille · Avignon · Annecy · Cannes · Tours · Verdon Gorge · Dordogne · Dijon · Burgundy · Sarlat · Champagne · Reims · Saint Rémy de Provence · Alsace · Strasbourg · Colmar · Mont Saint Michel · Mont Blanc Region · Honfleur · Chamonix · Basque Country · Corsica · Saint-Louis

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