Chateaubriand, Surcouf, Jacques Cartier... From writers to privateers and sailors, many were the good men who hailed from Saint-Malo.
As if in honour of their pride and independence, the forts and ramparts of the Corsair City face the sea, adding to the city's charm and its exceptional setting. To visitors and event-goers, the city offers the beauty of its maritime views and the wealth of its historical heritage.
A city of 52,000 inhabitants that is lively all year round, Saint-Malo's heart beats to the rhythm of the major event it hosts, festivals as the Etonnants Voyageurs or internationally renowned regattas such as the Route du Rhum.
Around the 6th century B.C., a Welsh monk named MacLow, disciple of Aaron, moved to Alet, the beginnings of the Corsair City, and became its bishop. The city owes its name to him and later became one of Brittany's nine bishoprics.
The Saint-Malo area covers 16.6% of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, or 1,106 km² including 100 km of coastline. More than 150,000 people live there, for an average of 137 inhabitants per square kilometre.
The Saint-Malo district counts approximately 5,300 businesses, including 2,400 shops, 900 industrial enterprises, and 2,000 service businesses.
The wealth of heritage and the beautiful Emerald Coast landscapes make Saint-Malo and the surrounding area a destination that stays in the minds and spirits of visitors.
In cooperation with local service providers, the Palais du Grand Large organises guided tours of the Corsair City and excursions to all the neighbouring sites, such as the Mont-Saint-Michel, Cancale and its oyster beds, the medieval city of Dinan, the seaside resort town of Dinard, Cape Fréhel, the Anglo-Norman islands, and so on.
With a direct TGV route to Paris and near the Rennes international airport, Saint-Malo’s excellent access to transportation lets it easily host national and international events.
