Saint-Malo vacation rentals

Avast, me hearties, and set sail for Saint-Malo!

Saint-Malo was once infamous as a corsair stronghold, and its inhabitants were prolific plunderers of passing British ships. Though the days of piracy are thankfully long past, there are still plenty of treasures to be discovered on a Saint-Malo vacation rental. An epic-looking walled citadel, straight out of a historical TV drama, Saint-Malo is the crown jewel of Brittany, and it's among the most popular vacation spots in the whole of France. The city's cobbled streets are awash with history, but no one's going to hold it against you if you just head straight for the beach.

Crafty corsairs can check out the cathedral

If ecclesiastical architecture is your bag, then Saint-Malo Cathedral will be all your Christmases and birthdays come at once. Begun in the 12th century, it's one of France's most impressive historical buildings. And if you're more into the military stuff, how about paying a visit to Fort National? Built in 1689 to protect the port from raiders, it's located on a tidal island just off the shore, and can be visited at certain times, mostly during the summer months. For something a bit more up-to-date, try the Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo, with its famous shark tank.

Bold buccaneers make beelines for the beaches

A Saint-Malo vacation rental will see you spoiled for choice where beaches are concerned, and which 1 you pick will depend on how active you want your day to be. Saint-Malo gets some strong, steady winds, and if you head down to the more exposed sands on a breezy morning, you'll see the sails of windsurfers and dinghy sailors speckling the water. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more laid-back Saint-Malo experience, there are plenty of more sheltered beaches where you can roll out the towel and get to work on your tan.

Parisian pirates prefer the perfection of Saint-Malo

Ask a French person from Paris or Nice where they go on vacation, and the answer is likely to be Brittany. This is partly because it's gorgeous, but also because of its equitable climate. It gets sunny in the summers, but you're unlikely to see the scorching temperatures of the Cote D'Azur, making it perfect for an active vacation. Another curious feature of this part of the French coast is its strong, warm winds, and it's an ideal destination for many water sports. Just take a look at the windsurfers skimming across the horizon and try to resist having a go yourself.

Hoist the Jolly Roger and set sail for the Channel Islands

Your Saint-Malo vacation rental will put you on the coast of Brittany, looking out across the North Sea towards Great Britain. If you fancy a bit of modern-day piracy, the affluent Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey are just a short ferry ride away, and are well worth plundering/visiting. Closer in, there are 2 tiny islands out in the bay. One is the Fort National, while the other contains the tomb of the writer Chateaubriand. Both are accessible at certain times of the day, but be careful of the tides if you don't want to get marooned like an old-time mutineer.

How to get to and around Saint-Malo

The nearest airport is in Rennes (RNS-Saint-Jacques), located 42.5 mi (68.3 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Dinard (DNR-Dinard - Pleurtuit - Saint-Malo), which is 4.7 mi (7.6 km) away.

If you're traveling by train, the main station serving the city is Saint Malo Station.