SaintMalo

Saint-Malo is a port city and commune in Brittany, France, located on the coast of the English Channel at the mouth of the Rance River in the Ille-et-Vilaine department. The commune has around fifty thousand residents, with a larger surrounding urban area. The historic core, known as Intra-Muros, is almost entirely surrounded by medieval ramparts that offer views over the sea and the surrounding coastline.

Historically, Saint-Malo developed as a fortified stronghold and later became a major base for Breton privateers, or corsairs, during the 17th and 18th centuries. The town's maritime activity, shipbuilding, and trading networks contributed to its wealth and fame. It is also associated with notable navigators such as Jacques Cartier, who, according to tradition, was born in Saint-Malo and went on to claim parts of Canada for France.

Key sites in the city include the Saint-Vincent Cathedral, the Château de Saint-Malo, and the fortifications that enclose the old town. Fort National, a tidal island fort, lies just off the shore and can be visited at low tide. The city’s maritime character is also reflected in its museums, lighthouses, and the nearby Grand Aquarium, which attract visitors interested in marine life and coastal history.

In World War II, the old town suffered extensive destruction during the Allied bombardment of Brittany in 1944. Much of the architecture was rebuilt in the postwar period, shaping the modern appearance of Saint-Malo while preserving its historic ribcage of walls and towers.

Today, Saint-Malo functions as a commercial and fishing port and a popular tourist destination, with ferries and cruise services linking Brittany to destinations in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.