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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Saint-Malo at sunrise
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.

Traditional Mussels with Cider
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Normandy & Brittany - 5 Days
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.

The enchanting Mont-Saint-Michel seems to rise out of its tidal estuary
Map of Luxury Tour Through Normandy & Brittany: Bayeux & Saint-Malo - 7 Days
Luxury Tour Through Normandy & Brittany: Bayeux & Saint-Malo - 7 Days

Travel in luxury as you spend a week exploring the wild coastline and rich history of northwestern France. Begin in Normandy to tour historic Bayeux, admire its eponymous tapestry, and visit windswept D-Day beaches. Then it's on to Brittany and the walled city of Saint-Malo, where you'll experience the awe-inspiring Mont-Saint-Michel, take a private sailing cruise along the Emerald Coast, and end your trip with a tour of the charming medieval villages of Dinan and Saint-Suliac.

Dancing in the Paris Sunlight
Map of Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Normandy, & Brittany - 8 Days
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
Map of Mont-Saint-Michel Countryside Cycling Tour - 6 Days
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.

Enjoying the views
Map of Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Normandy, & Brittany - 9 Days
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. 

Young child enjoying autumn in Paris
Map of Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 10 Days
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. 

Take the kids to explore Saint-Malo
Map of Family Road Trip in Western France: Paris, Caen & Saint-Malo - 7 Days
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.

Saint-Malo at dusk
Map of Paris, Bayeux & Saint-Malo: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris, Bayeux & Saint-Malo: Best Itinerary Ideas

Travelers to France typically plan a trip for 11 to 14 days when combining Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo with Amboise. For travelers wanting to visit Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo exclusively, plan 8 to 10 days for a well-paced trip. A fast-paced highlights trip is possible in five to seven days for travelers with limited time. For the best itineraries, including Paris, Bayeux, and Saint-Malo, keep reading below.

Get active on the coast of Brittany
Map of Olympic Summer in Paris & Hike Brittany - 10 Days
Olympic Summer in Paris & Hike Brittany - 10 Days

The 2024 Olympics are headed to Paris, and there's no better way to prime yourself than on an active adventure through France. It begins in the City of Lights, the epicenter of the upcoming Olympic Games, with tours, cabarets, and a romantic dinner cruise on the Seine. Then, you're off to France's Brittany region, where you'll experience its walled city of Saint-Malo, take a day trip to Mont-Saint-Michel, and explore the stunning English Channel coastline with multiday hikes and watersports.

Explore the culture and history of northwestern France on this exclusive tour
Map of Luxury Tour Through Normandy & Brittany: Paris, Bayeux & Saint-Malo - 10 Days
Luxury Tour Through Normandy & Brittany: Paris, Bayeux & Saint-Malo - 10 Days

World history meets French culture on this lavish 10-day tour. It starts in the capital city of Paris, where you'll see sobering World War II reminders, such as the Deportation Memorial and the Holocaust Museum. Then, head to Normandy for the infamous D-Day beaches and Caen's Memorial Museum. Experience the island and abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, drive along the Emerald Coast, and visit the charming villages of Dinan and Saint-Suliac before returning to Paris for a Seine dinner cruise.

Stars on the beach in Saint-Malo
Map of Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy & Brittany - 8 Days
Western France Getaway: 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 eight-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.

Aerial view of Saint Malo, Britanny, France
Map of Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo & Amboise: Best Itinerary Ideas
Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo & Amboise: Best Itinerary Ideas

For most travelers, 11 to 14 days is the perfect amount of time for a France trip with stops in Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo, and Amboise. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as 7 to 10 days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region. Get inspired with the below Paris, Bayeux, Saint-Malo, and Amboise trip ideas.

Selection of French Cider
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 12 Days
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.

Caen city skyline
Map of Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 13 Days
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.

Colorful French macarons
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 13 Days
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.

Baby enjoying the beach in Saint-Malo
Map of Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo & Bordeaux - 14 Days
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.

The stunning stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle within Paris' Île de la Cité
Map of Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 14 Days
Western France Getaway: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 14 Days

If you dream of spending two 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 Châteaux and endless vineyards await.

Canoeing on the Dordogne River
Map of Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, & More - 15 Days
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.

The City of Lights at Dusk
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 15 Days
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.

Bayeux at Night
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 16 Days
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.

Water mill in the Old Town of Bayeux
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, & Loire Valley - 9 Days
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.

Chenonceau at Sunset
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, & More - 10 Days
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.

Vieux Port in Honfleur
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Cognac, Bordeaux, & More - 19 Days
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.

Beach in Deauville
Map of Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Basque, & More - 19 Days
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.

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

Dock at Concarneau
Map of Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Basque, & More - 20 Days
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.

Aerial view of Saint-Malo
Map of Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Normandy, Basque Country, & More - 21 Days
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.

Carcassonne
Map of France Scenic Self-Drive Getaway: Castles, Forts & Vineyards - 21 Days
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.

Mont-Saint-Michel
Map of Explore France's Western Route- 21 Days
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.

Quiet Streets in Le Marais
Map of Luxury Getaway to Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley & More - 11 Days
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
Map of Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley - 14 Days
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.

Low Tide in Arcachon Bay
Map of Road Trip Through Western France: Paris, Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, & More - 18 Days
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 · Aix-en-Provence · Loire Valley · Normandy · Rhône Valley · Lyon · Bordeaux · Marseille · Bayeux · Amboise · French Alps · Brittany · Avignon · Annecy · Cannes · Tours · Verdon Gorge · Dijon · Burgundy · Dordogne · Sarlat · Champagne · Reims · Saint-Rémy-de-Provence · Alsace · Strasbourg · Colmar · Mont Blanc Region · Chamonix · Honfleur · Mont Saint Michel · Basque Country · Corsica · Saint-Louis