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Summer 2025 is approaching quickly, and if you are planning to completely cross the pond, the French Riviera is probably at the top of your wish list.
We understand it in all honesty.
Lemon Sorbet in Menton, who live it in the Monte Carlo district of Monaco, or even explore the pastel-colored streets of Saint-Tropez: there are many reasons why the sun is driven to the south, or as the French call it, Côte d’Azur, would live in your head rental-free.
That said, It is absolutely not the place to go if you have a strict budgetOr if you hate the crowds: after Paris, Mediterranean France is probably the busiest and most expensive place to be in Europe in the peak travel season, but there is a silver lining here.
If you are now looking for part of that medieval charm, a picturesque coastline and cheaper prices, you must give the very overview Saint-Malo A swirl:
A fairytale medieval port city on the north coast of France
A historic port of Brittany, along Golden Sands and the Azure North Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Malo is a historically significant city A rich history of medieval times brag To the more moving, war destroyed by the war.
Even if you are not a Francophile, who is looking for a search to check off every hidden gem of France, you have certainly encountered photos of that rising striker, dating from the 12th century, rising above a walled maze of outdated granite buildings.
In comparison with larger French cities such as Paris or Marseille, Saint-Malo is very small, the home base of around 46,000 inhabitants, although from late spring, which can easily swell to more than 300,000, while families come there for their summer vacation.
In contrast to Saint-Tropez, or a luxury Cannes, you will not find the same abundance of beach clubs that play peging music or beaches strewn with blue and white umbrellas: It is much more relaxedAnd in fact Saint-Malo looks strongly like coastal cities in Great Britain.
A picturesque sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean
Saint-Malo has his own expansive sand strip, Plage du Sillon, characterized by his row of wooden bribes and changing tides.
Depending on the time of the day, and when the tide is low, you can even walk to the Fort National, located on an island that focuses on the city.
Just like England, The beach is flanked by Heritage Casino HotelsAnd half-ravaged buildings, in contrast to Italy style, pastel-hue buildings with green shutters, and we recommend that you take a casual jumper with you if you plan to dine Alfresco for the evenings.
It can be pretty cold on the waterfront, regardless of the season.
Speaking of again, it is pleasant enough in the summer, with Temperatures ranging from 64.4 ° F to 77 ° FAnd on certain days you can run the risk of burning if you do not apply enough sunscreen, but it is not as if it is long -shiningly hot all summer.
The water is much colder than the med, on average 64.2 degrees, not to mention the ocean here can sometimes be a bit unpredictable, but if you want to swim, and you prefer to do this in a more controlled environment, you can always book a spa hotel with a swimming pool, Of just $ 113.
Keep in mind that Saint-Malo is finally your typical Northern European resort, so if you want to beat the oppressive Mediterranean heat, this is the place to go.
Old World Allure & Mothers-Watery Pancakes
Some will look for Saint-Malo for the beach; Others are mainly for culture here.
If you are a fan of the latter, you should not miss intra-Muros or ‘Walle city’, the historic heart of the city, where ithe streets are paved with pavedAnd almost every building is of a clear granite color.
Despite the medieval origin of Saint-Malo, these were largely reconstructed after they were destroyed during the Second World War, when a large part of the city was bombed to make way for the Allied troops, but luckily for us, history lovers, it looks strongly like what ever was.
A must-do when you are in Saint-Malo in the summer RampenThis offers a panoramic view of both the city, the beach and the islands of Net offshore, some of which are military forts from the house.
The indoor market on Halle Au Blé, open only on Tuesday and Friday, is also a great place to experience the local way of life, and people watch as French mammies Browse enthusiastically through the local products and chat with fishermen.
Maybe you even come home with some Breton butter, or freshly drawn fish, yourself.
The most beautiful milestone in Saint-Malo, however, is the Saint-Vincent Cathedral, one of a handful of original granite buildings that suffered minimal damage in the 1940s, and a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles would go so far that the rose windows could even say the rose competitions here here
The narrow lanes of the old city are also Covered with charming creperieswhere you can gap on delicious ham-and-cheese galettes of just $ 10, and confirmations Sale of chocolate stuffed croissants and local lollipops, or SuccorWho are still traditionally made in copper boilers.
That is the old world for you, people. Everything tastes old, even candy.
Oh, and while we are busy, if you are looking for the best galettes in the city, make sure you look at Bergamote, directly on Cathedral Square, and if you are curious about those lollipops, those sold in La Maison Guella received the distinction of the distinction of Best candy from France.
Explore the Northern French Riviera
Brittany is not a one-stop destination:
It is actually known for its series of coastal cities, every unique character, so if you visit Saint-Malo for longer than a weekend, you should make sure that you go out of the city to explore the area.
Mont Saint-MichelOver the regional border with Normandy, is an obvious choice: a towering citadel that occupies the best part of a tidal island, it is the stuff of dreams, and A short 44-minute drive from Saint-Malo.
Dinan is another wall of jewel from Brittany, half an hour’s drive in the interior of the coast, and unlike his sister city, it escaped the bomb attacks in the Second World War: every bosomed house, and every ramparts you see is exactly as it was in the Middle Ages.
Sitting on the bay from Saint-Malo, Dinard is another historic Breton city Packed with chic hotels and casinos, and broadly popular for its Plage de l’écluse, a beach bordered by restaurants with terraces and quirky shops.
If you have your passport over you, you can always take a day trip to the Channel Islands, a collective of islands assessed by British that are historically linked to Saint-Malo (and Bretagne):
The closest on the coastline, Jersey houses two impressive castles, Elizabeth Castle and Mont Orgueil, with a view of France, and it is famous for its tunnels from war care and picturesque bays.
How you can visit Saint-Malo from the United States
The nearest major airports to Saint-Malo are Nantes Atlantique (NTE), a 2-hour drive, and Jersey Airport (Jer) in the British crown dependence of Jersey, 1h25 away with the ferry, but none of those nonstop flights of the United States.
If you fly from Canada, Nantes is still an option, because Air Transat works a route from Montreal all year round.
For most Americans, however, Paris remains the most handy hub.
If you fly to Paris in the summer, the easiest way to come to Saint-Malo takes a train from Montparnasse station.
There are several departure per day and tickets start from as cheap as $ 49 when it is booked in advance.
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This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
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