Best Activities in Saint-Malo

This city has a deep, historic connection to sailing, and taking a small catamaran or dinghy out into the bay connects you directly to that legacy. The local sailing schools offer short rentals and lessons in the sheltered waters near the beaches. Manoeuvring a boat through the choppy emerald waters provides a completely different perspective of the coastal forts. You will feel the true strength of the ocean currents that have shaped this coastline.

This famous long distance footpath closely traces the rugged Brittany coastline, originally created for guards patrolling for smugglers. The section heading east from the city takes you along high, sheer cliffs covered in gorse and heather. The elevation provides excellent vantage points for watching the tide rush in over the rocky reefs below. The trail is unpaved and uneven, requiring sturdy footwear and a head for heights.

The Rance river meets the sea just south of the city, creating a wide, sheltered estuary. Paddling here allows you to navigate past small coves, old fishing hamlets, and the imposing structure of the tidal power dam. The water is generally calmer than the open ocean, making it suitable for beginners. You can glide silently past seabirds resting on the exposed mudflats during low tide.

When the massive tides retreat, the Sillon beach transforms into a vast, flat expanse of hard packed sand. Locals take advantage of the constant coastal winds by racing three wheeled buggies fitted with a sail. You lie back in the low seat, steer with your feet, and pull the rope to catch the wind, easily reaching high speeds just centimetres above the ground. It requires no previous sailing experience, just a willingness to get sprayed with wet sand.