This is huge and wonderful ramparts and a must to visit and climb over to see the city and the sea as well as islands before you. Its the first thing we do upon arriving to Saint Malo, well sometimes we eat first but the ramparts are a must right away!
In continuation of part I , let me continue the walks on and by the ramparts of Saint Malo!!!
The tour Bidouane tower is with its original horseshoe shape characteristic of its time. From the upper platform, discover one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the ramparts: in front of you, admire the coast from Pointe de la Varde to Cap Fréhel and behind you, discover the city dominated by the spire of Saint-Vincent Cathedral .
A few meters away, you will pass over the Porte des Champs-Vauverts which gives access to the Bon-Secours beach but above all to the Grand Bé. Depending on the tides, the peninsula becomes inaccessible, leaving Châteaubriand (who is buried there) to its torments (see post).
Continue your walk on the ramparts to arrive at the Porte des Bés, pierced in 1884 in the Tour Notre-Dame. This is where the Saint-Malo people took the steam shuttles to reach the Rance. When you are in perfect alignment with the Bon-Secours sea swimming pool, you pass without knowing it over the Poterne Jean de Chatillon, pierced in 1757, condemned in 1871 then reopened after the war.
In 1871, the Porte Saint-Pierre gate replaced the Bon-Secours postern, which had become too narrow. On one of the facades adjoining the ramparts, you will notice the restaurant “Les Chien du Guet”, a reference to the mastiffs that were released every evening around Saint-Malo to prevent any intrusion. In 1684, their niches were moved under the Bastion de la Hollande. Continue on your way to the Bastion of Holland. You will meet Jacques Cartier, a great explorer from Saint-Malo made famous by the discovery of Canada.
Before reaching the Bastion Saint-Philippe, whose name is a tribute to Philip II of Orleans, Regent of France, you will pass over the Poterne d’Estrées which gives access to the pier shore. Take a moment to admire the scenery. In front of you, you will see the city of Dinard.
The Bastion de la Hollande; was built in 1674 after a collapse of the land on a place called Moulins Collins and a windmill from the middle ages demolished. It was call Hollande because it was done during the war against the Dutch. It had cannons put there by the Count of Toulouse who was the governor of Bretagne at the time. There was a ammunition depot guarded by 24 mastiffs dogs that were led out for walks once the bells of the Naguette tower had sounded. There were call back by the horns. These dogs not well fed could attack people and they did like in 1770 killing the of a naval officer returning late from visiting his girlfriend. The town decided to get rid of the dogs and the naguette bells were put in the cathedral where they now sound each evening at 22h (10 pm).
The Porte de Dinan, formerly the Porte de la Marine, this access was also called the Bishop’s Door, because the men of the Church had to enter through this door on their first visit to the city. Continue a few more meters to arrive at Bastion Saint-Louis, so named when it was built in honor of Louis XIV. On the ground floor of this bastion is a shed which, during the French revolution housed the guillotine. Today, the statue of the famous corsair Duguay-Trouin proudly stands in the center of this stronghold. Last stop to conclude our walk, the Porte Saint-Louis, which was opened in 1874 to make access to the Intra-Muros easier for passengers on ships coming from England.
The tourist office of Saint Malo on the ramparts: https://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/explore/a-box-of-delights/the-ramparts-of-saint-malo
This is wonderful and one of the best if not the best preserve ramparts along the sea of France and maybe Europe. Saint Malo is unique and a great place to hang out indeed up on the ramparts! Hope you enjoy it as we did
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 