A week or a long weekend away this winter? or spring? We suggest you take on the fortresses of Saint Malo, via Rennes, Cancale and Mont Saint Michel.
All without taking your car.
First, off to Rennes
And the Liberté concert hall on metro line A if you need to (Charles de Gaulle stop). We went to see Massilia Sound System, who we’re a big fan of. Did you know that they’re celebrating their 40th anniversary this year? A big shout-out to them, Papet J, Moussu T, Janvier and all that.
Let’s get back to business.
First, off to Rennes by train. The program for the Liberté venue is here.
Then, if you don’t know what to visit in Rennes, here’s the program:
The historic center
Discover the medieval half-timbered houses of the Sainte-Anne district.
A pedestrian zone with charming narrow streets and historic architecture.
Parliament of Brittany
Superb 17th-century palace with guided tours
Located in the center of town, within easy walking distance.
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Excellent art museum with varied collections
Centrally located, close to other attractions
Jardins du Thabor
Magnificent public park with botanical gardens
Ideal for relaxing and strolling
Free admission and close to the city center
Les Champs Libres
Cultural complex with museum, library and planetarium
Discover the history and culture of Brittany.
Public transport (bus and metro) is excellent in Rennes, making it easy to get between these attractions without a car. The city center is also very pedestrian-friendly.
Second stop: Saint Suliac
First of all, before you throw yourself on the ramparts, we suggest a bus excursion to Saint Suliac, one of France’s most beautiful villages.
By the way, do you know what a tide bucket is? It’s a garbage can where you throw away everything that the tide has brought to the beach (buckets, spades, glasses, telephones, all sorts of things that don’t belong on the beach).
Tide bucket (bac à marée) on the shore of Saint Suliac in Brittany
A stroll through the village streets, perhaps a Christmas market depending on the season, lunch in a crêperie, and sailing in the afternoon, as there’s a branch of the Rennes sailing club in Saint Suliac.
You can choose between family cruising, kayaking or discovering the Wingfoil. No need to get bored.
There are B&Bs in Saint Suliac if you like it and want to stay a night.
Afterwards, spend the night in Saint Malo and take an early-morning stroll along the ramparts.
Visit Saint-Malo without a car: A complete guide
Saint-Malo, the jewel of Brittany, is perfectly accessible without a car. The city has an excellent public transport network and is very suitable for walking.
Public transport
Saint-Malo’s urban bus network (Réseau TASA) efficiently serves all major districts.The SNCF train station is conveniently located for easy access to the historic city center. Regional trains also link Saint-Malo to neighboring towns such as Rennes.
Getting around on foot
The intramural, fortified historic district is ideal for exploring on foot.Its ramparts offer a spectacular promenade overlooking the sea and the city.
The distance between the main sites is short and pleasant.
Places to visit
Don’t miss :
- Saint-Vincent Cathedral
- Saint-Malo castle
- The Grand Aquarium
- Bon-Secours beach
- Jacques Cartier Memorial
- In summer, maritime shuttles allow you to discover the surrounding islands without a car.
- Last but not least, don’t hesitate to take the line 8 bus from the train station for a crêpe at Saint Servan, overlooking the bay and offering a magnificent view.
And on days 5 and 6, the Mont Saint Michel from Saint Malo.
Next, we suggest you take a short trip to Mont Saint-Michel with Flixbus, which offers a daily return trip from Saint-Malo to Mont Saint-Michel (please note that you’ll need to sleep in and book a B&B).
Discover Mont-Saint-Michel on foot
Mont-Saint-Michel offers a unique experience for hikers. There are several options for a walking tour.
Main routes :
Sentier de la Baie :
- 5-6 km hike
- Panoramic view of the Mont
- Crossing possible at low tide
- Essential tips
- Be sure to check tide times
- Wear suitable footwear
- Bring windproof clothing
Caution: Crossing the bay requires a guide or perfect knowledge of the tides to avoid dangerous areas.
Ramparts and streets of Le Mont :
- 2 km historical tour
- Visit the abbey
- Discover the medieval streets
- Recommended visit time: 3-4 hours
- Points of interest
- Monumental abbey
- Place du Barrage
- Parish church
- Historic houses
- Craft stores
And finally, return by train from Saint Malo to your original destination, eyes and legs full of stars and sea air.
When are you leaving for your next trip to Brittany ? 🙂
