Major city · France
Saint-Malo
Stay 2 nights inside the walls: walk the ramparts at low tide, cross to Grand Bé, then day-trip to Mont-Saint-Michel. Skip the car.
Saint-Malo is a walled port town on the Brittany coast, 2 h 15 min from Paris by TGV and 70 km from Mont-Saint-Michel. The intramuros fits in a day; the tides, the ferry port and the Mont-Saint-Michel run make two nights the useful minimum. Come May–September for the forts and beaches; the town is quiet and half-closed in deep winter.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, wet, many places shut)
- Airports
- RNS · CDG · DNR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Malo112 ▾
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
- Emergency by text (deaf callers)114
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Malo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyA safe, walkable town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckRNS Rennes–Saint-Jacques (75 km (47 mi) south; bus or train to Saint-Malo, about 1 h 15 min door to door (check)).RNS Rennes–Saint-Jacques (47 mi (75 km) south; bus or train to Saint-Malo, about 1 h 15 min door to door (check)).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a crêpe to go€2–5 (≈ US$3–6)
- BeerBeer in an intramuros pub€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Museum or sight ticketFort National entry (cash only)€5 (≈ US$6) adult, €3 (≈ US$4) child
- Budget bedHostel or basic guesthouse bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, intramuros or near the station, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room, intramuros or near the station, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €105 (≈ US$130) · High €190 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RNS Rennes–Saint-Jacques (75 km (47 mi) south; bus or train to Saint-Malo, about 1 h 15 min door to door (check)) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Malo in under 90 min; from CDG you must cross Paris first) · DNR Dinard–Pleurtuit–Saint-Malo (Private aviation only; not a scheduled option)RNS Rennes–Saint-Jacques (47 mi (75 km) south; bus or train to Saint-Malo, about 1 h 15 min door to door (check)) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Saint-Malo in under 90 min; from CDG you must cross Paris first) · DNR Dinard–Pleurtuit–Saint-Malo (Private aviation only; not a scheduled option)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Feb (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Malo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. Intramuros is small and the ramparts are free and open 24 h. MAT buses reach the station, Saint-Servan, Paramé and Dinard; taxis wait at the station and the old-town gate. A car is a liability inside the walls — use the Park & Ride at Parking Féval (about €3.30 a car for 24 h plus return bus tickets for the driver and up to three passengers, 2025 rate, check) and only pay on exit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mont-Saint-Michel
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min each way
Keolis Armor coach from Saint-Malo station, Apr–Oct; year-round from Rennes
Go on the first departure and leave before mid-afternoon; the islet is packed in summer.
Dinard
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
MAT bus or a seasonal ferry across the Rance estuary
Beaches, cliffs and 19th-century villas; October English Film Festival.
Cancale
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
Bus or car east along the coast
Oyster port; eat at the harbour rather than in intramuros.
Rennes
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
TER train, hourly, about 1 h
Useful wet-day city and the main rail hub.
Cap Fréhel and the Emerald Coast
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, west past Dinard
Thin public transport; a car or a long day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Intramuros (inside the walls)
Walk to everything; book early for summer and expect small rooms and no parking.
Near the station (Av Anita Conti)
Chain hotels, 1.5 km (0.9 mi) east of the old town; best if you arrive late or leave by train.Chain hotels, 0.9 mi (1.5 km) east of the old town; best if you arrive late or leave by train.
Saint-Servan / Aleth
Quieter, cheaper, 20–30 min walk south of intramuros; campsite on the Aleth peninsula Apr–Sep.
Paramé and the beaches
East along the 12 km (7.5 mi) north-coast beach; car or bus needed for the old town.East along the 7.5 mi (12 km) north-coast beach; car or bus needed for the old town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, intramuros or near the station1 × 2 nights × €120 | €240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €105 | €420 |
| Park & Ride at Parking Féval, 24 h with return bus tickets1 × €3 · 2025 rate, check | €3 |
| Mont-Saint-Michel coach, return2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €75 |
| Trip total≈ €207 per person per day, bed included | €828≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Saint-Malo excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a crêpe to go | €2–5 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Galette or crêpe in a crêperie | €8–14 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Moules-frites | €13–20 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Beer in an intramuros pub | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Fort National entry (cash only) | €5 (≈ US$6) adult, €3 (≈ US$4) child |
| Grand Aquarium entry | €18.90 (≈ US$25) adult, €13.90 (≈ US$17) child |
| Demeure de Corsaire tour | €8.50 (≈ US$10) adult, €6 (≈ US$7) concession or child |
| Musée Jacques Cartier tour | €6.80 (≈ US$8) adult, €3.40 (≈ US$4) child |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The tide comes in fast and cuts off the causeways to Fort National, Grand Bé and Petit Bé. Check the tide table before you cross and never start a crossing on a rising tide.
- Fort National is cash only and opens only when the tide is out and the flag is flying (Jun–mid Sep).
- Demeure de Corsaire tours are in French only and cover 3 of 56 rooms.
- The Château museum closed in 2019; you can only see the exterior.
- Summer ferries and the Mont-Saint-Michel buses fill up: book dated tickets ahead.
- Rance Tidal Power Station tours must be pre-booked.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Emergency by text (deaf callers)
- 114
Pocket card
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Saint-MaloSaint-Malo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
- Text emergency (deaf callers)114
Embassy
No embassy in Saint-Malo; the US, UK, Canadian, Australian, Irish and New Zealand embassies are in Paris. The US also has a consulate-general in Rennes (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Park & Ride Parking Féval, 24 h + bus: about €3.30 (≈ US$4) a car, pay on exit (2025 rate, check)
- Train Saint-Malo → Rennes: about 1 h, hourly (check)
- TGV Saint-Malo → Paris Montparnasse: under 90 min, every couple of hours (check)
- Ferry Saint-Malo → Jersey (DFDS): about 70 min, daily (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
- À quelle heure est la marée basse ? — What time is low tide? (ah kel URR eh la ma-RAY BASS)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est la vieille ville ? — Where is the old town? (oo eh la VYAY VEEL)
Tipping: service is included by law; round up or leave 5–10% for good service. Tide tables are posted at the old-town gates and at the tourist office on Esplanade Saint-Vincent.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Malo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, wet, many places shut) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Tide-table fixture for the three tidal crossings, with safe windows printed on the pocket card.
- Ferry and coach cutoffs: Brittany Ferries to Poole and Portsmouth, DFDS to Jersey, Keolis Armor to Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: intramuros, Saint-Servan and Aleth, the beaches, the Rance dam.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (cathedral, Fort National, Demeure de Corsaire, Grand Aquarium, Musée Jacques Cartier).
Sources
- officialSaint-Malo tourist office
- officialVille de Saint-Malo
- officialBrittany Ferries
- officialDFDS
- officialKeolis Armor (Mont-Saint-Michel coaches)
- officialFort National
- officialGrand Aquarium
- secondaryWikivoyage: Saint-Malo, revision 5160298 (CC BY-SA 4.0)