Saint-Malo Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone
4.2 / 5 · 11 traveler reviews
The audio guide is an ideal mobile companion for exploring the historic town of Saint-Malo. This tour is designed to help you discover the city in a short span of time (1-2 hours). Simply follow the route on the app's map, which takes you from the Fortress of Saint-Malo to the Mole de Noir breakwater. You're guaranteed to see: The fortress walls, gates, and bastions of Saint-Malo, St. Vincent Cathedral, Fort National, The beaches of Saint-Malo, Charming narrow streets brimming with souvenirs and treats. Once you've downloaded the tour, the app operates offline. The audio guide can always be heard clearly through your headphones. Enjoy captivating stories and legends at your own pace, without the need to keep up with a tour group. If you only have a few hours to visit Saint-Malo, make the most of it with the audio guide. You won't miss a thing.
Your experience
Stop 1
St. Vincent Gate (Porte Saint-Vincent) is the main entrance to the walled city of Saint-Malo, built in the 18th century to replace an earlier medieval gate. Framed by twin stone towers and a drawbridge once spanning a moat, it leads directly into the lively heart of the old town. Above the arch, you’ll see the coat of arms of Saint-Malo and decorative carvings. Today, it's the first glimpse many visitors have of the city’s fortified charm, opening onto cobbled streets, granite buildings, and centuries of privateer history.
Stop 2
Chateaubriand Square (Place Chateaubriand) is a central gathering spot within the walled city of Saint-Malo, named after the famous Romantic writer and native son François-René de Chateaubriand. Flanked by classic Breton architecture, cafés, and the imposing Château de Saint-Malo, the square buzzes with life, especially in summer. It’s a perfect starting point for exploring the old town or pausing for a coffee amid the sea breeze and echoes of Saint-Malo’s storied literary and maritime past.
Stop 3
The Fortress of Saint-Malo, or Château de Saint-Malo, stands at the edge of the old walled city, guarding the harbor with its thick granite walls and round towers. Built by the dukes of Brittany in the 15th century and later expanded by the French crown, it symbolized royal power over this fiercely independent port. Today, it houses the Saint-Malo History Museum, where visitors can explore the city’s corsair legacy, maritime heritage, and wartime resilience—topped off with panoramic views from its ramparts.
Stop 4
Le Fort National is a coastal fortress just off the walled city of Saint-Malo, built in 1689 by military architect Vauban under Louis XIV. Perched on a tidal island, it was designed to protect the port from naval attacks. Accessible on foot at low tide, the fort offers sweeping views of the sea and city walls. Though simple in design, its strategic position made it a key defense point. Today, it’s a historic site open to visitors in summer—where history, tides, and Atlantic winds converge in dramatic fashion.
Stop 5
Rue Saint-Vincent is one of the main arteries of Saint-Malo’s walled city, leading from Porte Saint-Vincent into the heart of the old town. Lined with granite buildings, boutique shops, creperies, and galleries, it captures the spirit of the corsair city—elegant, compact, and alive with history. Its cobblestones trace the steps of merchants, sailors, and privateers, offering visitors a walk through centuries of Breton life, framed by sea-salted air and architectural charm.
Stop 6
La Grand' Porte is one of the oldest and most imposing gates of Saint-Malo, dating back to the 15th century. Originally the main entrance to the medieval city, it features twin round towers and a drawbridge that once spanned a protective moat. Located on the southeastern side of the walls near the harbor, it symbolized the town’s strength and wealth. Today, it welcomes visitors into the old city with a striking reminder of Saint-Malo’s fortified past and maritime pride.
Stop 7
Cathédrale Saint-Vincent de Saint-Malo is a striking Gothic and Romanesque cathedral that anchors the heart of the walled city. Originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt after World War II damage, it features elegant stained glass windows, a soaring nave, and the tomb of the explorer Jacques Cartier, who discovered Canada. The cathedral reflects the city’s maritime legacy and spiritual resilience, blending centuries of architecture and history into a solemn yet vibrant place of worship.
Stop 8
Our Bidouane is a massive 15th-century artillery tower built into the ramparts of Saint-Malo, overlooking the sea. Once used to store gunpowder and defend the northern approach to the city, it’s now a key stop along the walkable city walls. Visitors can climb to the top for panoramic views of the English Channel, nearby islands, and the granite rooftops of the old town. Solid and imposing, the tower stands as a symbol of Saint-Malo’s defensive strength and seafaring vigilance.
Stop 9
Grand Bé Island is a tidal island just off the coast of Saint-Malo, accessible on foot at low tide. It’s best known as the final resting place of writer François-René de Chateaubriand, whose simple tomb faces the sea, honoring his wish to lie “alone, with the ocean.” The island itself is rugged and windswept, offering spectacular views of the walled city, Fort National, and the surrounding bay. A short, atmospheric walk from the beach, Grand Bé blends natural beauty with literary reverence in a uniquely Breton setting.
Stop 10
The Holland Bastion (Bastion de Hollande) is one of the most prominent defensive outposts on the ramparts of Saint-Malo. Built in the 17th century to reinforce the city’s fortifications, it housed cannons aimed at protecting the northern seafront from naval attack. Today, it offers sweeping views of the sea, nearby forts, and the granite skyline of the old town. A statue of privateer Robert Surcouf, a local hero, stands at its edge—reminding visitors of Saint-Malo’s proud corsair past and maritime defiance.
Stop 11
The Saint Philippe Bastion is a 17th-century stronghold built into the seaward ramparts of Saint-Malo, part of the city’s expanded fortifications under Vauban. Positioned to defend the western side of the walled city, it offered clear lines of fire toward approaching ships. Today, it serves as a peaceful viewpoint, with benches overlooking the sea, the Fort National, and the shifting tides. Though less visited than other bastions, it offers a quiet space to reflect on Saint-Malo’s military past and enduring relationship with the ocean.
Stop 12
Porte de Dinan is a majestic gate set into the southwestern walls of Saint-Malo, overlooking the Bas Sablons harbor. Flanked by sturdy towers and connected to the Rue de Dinan, it once controlled access to and from the mainland road to Dinan. Built in the 17th century, it reflects the city’s strategic importance and defensive architecture. Today, it marks the start of the scenic path up to the ramparts, offering access to quiet bastions and stunning views over the sea and moored boats below.
What’s included
- One-year access to the tour in your preferred language
- 23 audio recordings narrated by a professional historian
- Audio guide app for iPhone and Android
- Illustrations to recognize landmarks
- Offline map featuring a route for effortless GPS navigation
Not included
- In-person guide
- Smartphone and Headphones
- Transportation
- Food and Beverages
- Entrance fee/tickets
Meeting and pickup
- The tour begins at St. Vincent Gate - This is a self-guided tour, there will be no guide present at the meeting point - Open the TouringBee app, initiate the Saint-Malo City Tour, and proceed along the designated route
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The audio guide is available through a mobile app for iOS and Android
- Entry tickets to the museums are not included and must be purchased separately in advance
- The tour does not cover all the sights in Saint-Malo
- This is a self-guided tour — you will need to download the audio guide mobile app, activate your purchase, and follow the route on the app's map (without a human guide)
- The audio guide can be accessed at any time. The date and time provided during checkout are merely estimates
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
Check dates and book on Viator →Confirm the meeting point, inclusions, cancellation policy and final price on Viator. We may earn a commission from your booking.