Of course a couple of posts would not do credit to the wonderful ramparts of Saint Malo ,not even three. However, I am covering lot of territory and you can tell by the photos and text this is a huge area that needs to be visited, a must!
Let me finish the walks around the ramparts of Saint Malo with a chrono walk we enjoy a lot.
The ramparts of Saint-Malo were built in the 12C, well before the golden age of the King’s corsairs. After the great fire of 1661, the granite wall was completely rebuilt. It was enlarged in the 18C. The fortified enclosure of Saint-Malo (Intra Muros) today comprises eight gates, three posterns and three bastions. The ramparts, lined with machicolations and flanked by several towers. The high wall which surrounds the city of Saint-Malo forms a loop of about 2 km. You can go down and up where you want, from the various stairs located at each door.
We agree that the best start is the walk by taking the Porte Saint-Thomas, located behind the Place Chateaubriand (where our hotel was). From this access, you will have a direct view of the large Sillon beach on your right, the Fort National opposite and on your left the islet of Grand Bé. The first part of the covered way will lead you to Fort à la Reine, where at its feet exploded the Infernal Machine, an English ship loaded with powder in order to destroy Saint-Malo and which ran aground on the rocks between the Fort à la Reine and the Tour Bidouane. Looking left, you will see the famous rue du Chat qui danse. A cat who according to history was the only victim of this infernal machine!
Continuing on your way, you can climb the Tour Bidouane, a former powder magazine shaped like a horseshoe. This place offers you a panorama over the entire bay of Saint-Malo, it is from here that you will have the best view of the islands of Grand Bé and Petit Bé. By taking the ramparts again, they will lead you to the Bastion de la Hollande from which you can observe Bon Secours beach and the famous diving board of the seawater swimming pool.
The curtain connecting the Bastion de la Hollande to the Bastion Saint-Philippe overlooks the beach of Môle and the Môle des Noires, a 500-meter-long jetty that protects the outer harbor. Then to Bastion Saint-Louis by taking the south curtain, you can admire the houses of wealthy Saint-Malo shipowners or so-called corsairs houses, recognizable by their high granite facades. The famous Robert Surcouf lived in one of them, near the Porte de Dinan. Towards the outside of the ramparts, an interesting point of view on the town of Alet, the district of Saint-Servan and the port of Saint-Malo.
By continuing this walk towards the Grand ‘Porte, you will be able to see from the ramparts, the most remarkable of the corsairs’ houses, the Hôtel d’Asfeld, built for the amateur Magon de la Lande. And you will dominate, towards the outside of the ramparts, the Quai Saint-Louis and the Vauban basin. And so you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the port of Saint-Malo. The Grand ‘Porte is the oldest gateway to Saint-Malo, it is part of the medieval wall, at that time, it could be accessed by boat. From the rampart walk, perspective view of the Grand’rue and the bell tower of Saint-Vincent Cathedral.
You will end your walk by the Porte Saint-Vincent, now it is the main entrance to the Intra-Muros. This double door is decorated on the outside with the arms of Brittany and the city. From here, you can observe the Grand’rue, the rue Saint-Vincent and on the other side the Esplanade Saint-Vincent and the castle of Saint-Malo. . The medieval-looking Château de Saint-Malo was built between the 15C and 18C. Or you can complete the ramparts circuit by bypassing the castle via the Jardin des douves which opens directly onto the large Sillon beach.
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
And there you go another wonderful walk on the gorgeous awesome ramparts of Saint Malo, again, a must to see! Hope you have enjoy the tour and do visit.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply