Author: alistair.marca@gmail.com

It's spring, the fine weather is beginning to return, but it's not yet summertime. So it's a good time to get away from it all, and relax with family and friends. A weekend in Brittany, by the sea, is an excellent idea. And why not visit Saint Malo, the corsair city? Saint-Malo is one of Europe's favorite tourist destinations in France.

Relaxation and a change of scenery for all in Saint Malo

Of course, if you're a gourmet and a lover of culinary delights, you'll want to take advantage of your weekend to sample local specialties: far breton aux prunes, galettes de blé noir, crêpes de froment and craquelin Saint-Malo, a real delicacy that keeps for a very long time...not forgetting, of course, a whole array of seafood and fish. Perhaps you'll be able to witness the fascinating spectacle of the spring tides. In fact, there are a thousand and one things to discover or do in St Malo, such as learning to fish on foot when the sea recedes, strolling along the ramparts, admiring fish from all over the world at the Grand Aquarium, kayaking, windsurfing...

Saint-Malo, a visit to a historic nautical town

In addition to its nautical image, Saint-Malo is also famous for the Route du Rhum. Founded in the 12th century, Saint-Malo has a long history. It's also a city of seafaring adventurers, marked as much by great explorers such as Mahé de la Bourdonnais (colonizer of the Mascarene Islands) and Jacques Cartier (discoverer of Canada), as by famous privateers such as Duguay Trouin and, above all, Surcouf. You can immerse yourself in the city's history by visiting the History Museum and the Jacques Cartier Museum.

Hotel intra-muros Saint-Malo

For your stay in St Malo, the Hôtel de la Cité ideally located in the heart of St Malo, near the ramparts, with a view of the sea. Not only does this hotel allow you to enjoy the old town, but also the beach, which is just a few minutes away, and the History Museum. What's more, the hotel's garage is very practical, helping you to avoid parking problems, especially in high season. Like most visitors, you'll appreciate the good service and warm welcome of the staff, who will do their utmost to make your weekend in St Malo an unforgettable one.

If you're visiting Saint-Malo for a weekend or longer, don't forget to schedule a visit to the Grand Aquarium. Located at the entrance to Saint-Malo, the Grand Aquarium is home to over 600 species that will amaze young and old alike! After exploring the various areas dedicated to aquatic fauna, you'll appreciate the comfort of a Saint-Malo hotel with sea views.

An unusual journey to discover the seabed

Home to over 11,000 fish of all colors and sizes from a wide range of oceans, the Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo offers an unusual way to explore the seabed. Your journey begins with a discovery of the abysses, the deepest zones of the seas and oceans, followed by the Atlantic Room, which showcases the ecosystems and main species of the Atlantic coastline. The Laboratoire de la Mer will then give you the opportunity to understand the importance and role of plankton, as well as to discover the births of the year in the aquarium's nursery.

A dive into the heart of sharks with the Ring of the Seas

After a stopover in the Mediterranean room, you'll be captivated by the Ring of the Seas, the aquarium's must-see attraction. At the heart of a 600,000-liter volume of water, this circular aquarium gives the impression of being immersed in the midst of Australian bull sharks, zebra sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, giant grouper and other schools of fish.

The Nautibus, a true-to-life immersion experience

Between the Tropical Hall, a veritable tour of the world's tropical seas and oceans, and the Mangrove Hall, featuring several species of Asian and Amazonian mangroves in aquaterrariums, don't miss the Nautibus excursion. Aboard a sunken galleon with a pirate décor, you'll plunge into a natural marine world with a fabulous backdrop, surrounded by 5,000 fish. Your visit ends with a unique sensory experience in the Bassin Tactile. Here you can come into contact with shellfish, crustaceans and fish such as skates, dogfish and turbot...

The charm of a Saint-Malo hotel with sea view

After all these emotions, you'll appreciate the charm of one of the 41 rooms at the Hôtel de la Cité, a an affordable hotel in St-Malo offering quality service. Ideally located in the heart of the Cité Corsaire and less than 40 meters from the beach, it offers fully-equipped rooms, some with sea views.

For your next stay in Brittany, check into a Saint Malo hotel and discover the island of Grand Bé! Grand Bé is an uninhabited island located 400 meters north-west of Saint-Malo, at the mouth of the Rance river, at the foot of the ramparts, not far from another much smaller island called Petit Bé.

Grand Bé, Chateaubriand's last home

The famous writer François-René de Chateaubriand, who died in 1848, is buried on the island of Grand Bé, near the edge of the cliff. Chateaubriand had expressed his wish to be buried there in a request sent to the mayor of Saint-Malo in 1828. For various political reasons, his request was not immediately granted. It was only in 1836, after the intervention of a poet from Saint-Malo who was an admirer of Chateaubriand, that the town council authorized the writer to have his tomb erected on the west side of the islet. His tomb, surmounted by a large granite cross facing the ocean, bears no inscription. However, a commemorative plaque, affixed in front of the tomb in 1948, bears the words: "A great French writer wished to rest here, to hear only the sea and the wind, passing respecting his last wish". Chateaubriand's tomb has been listed as a historic monument since 1954.

Grand bé during World War II

In 1942, the Germans took possession of the islet and set up an artillery battery consisting of four casemates to protect the bay of Saint-Malo. When American troops liberated the city, Saint Malo intramuros on August 14, 1944 and the island of Grand Bé on August 16, 1944, they had to bomb the islet on numerous occasions.

Visit to the island of Grand Bé

At low tide, thanks to a stone passageway, Grand Bé can be reached on foot, crossing the beach at Bon Secours. The islet is mainly visited to discover the tomb of the famous writer, but it's also an opportunity to take a romantic or family walk and enjoy the fresh air and magnificent views. We recommend consulting the tide tables to avoid getting stuck on the islet, especially on high tide days. As a precaution, due to strong currents, you should absolutely avoid trying to get there when the water is less than 10 metres from the stone passage.

L'hôtel de la Cité - A charming hotel in Saint Malo

For your weekend in St-Malo, the Hotel de la Cité will give you a warm welcome and meet your expectations in terms of comfort and hospitality. This budget St-Malo hotel has many rooms with a beautiful view of the English Channel and is located in St-Malo intramuros, allowing you to discover the city on foot.

Tender moments with your other half in a region where life is good. If you've chosen to spend your next vacation in Brittany, it's because you've realized that there's no better place for a romantic getaway. From simple pleasures to one-of-a-kind activities, we have a number of suggestions to help you turn your romantic weekend in Brittany into a delightful getaway.

A hotel in Brittany by the sea

How about a spacious room to spend a delightful night by the side of your significant other? Our hotel in Saint MaloThe Hôtel de la Cité is the perfect place to do just that, combining charm and character with contemporary decor and a warm welcome. You probably won't find a better hotel in Brittany.

A crossing aboard a boat at sea

From our seaside hotel, you can easily set course for the surrounding islands. Bréhat, Batz, Ouessant and Ile aux Moines are just some of the possible ports of call for a breathtaking escape. A romantic crossing aboard a traditional sailboat is sure to give you an adrenalin rush and a change of scenery!

A stroll through the narrow streets of the Cités d'Art

Your couples' weekend in Brittany will never be complete without a visit to some of the most authentic towns. Whether maritime, medieval, commercial or spiritual, each of these Cités d'Art has a soul and atmosphere that give them beauty and character. Bécherel, Quintin, Dinan or Landerneau are ideal places to enjoy an atypical stay in the company of your partner.

A gourmet dinner for two

A great classic, of course, but truly unmissable, as Brittany is a region of gastronomy and terroir. Rendezvous at a "Tables et Saveurs" restaurant in a hotel in the heart of Brittany for a tasty tasting experience on the sly. Le 5" is a must-visit restaurant in St-Malo. You'll be able to sample the finest dishes in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

A horse-drawn carriage ride at Mont Saint-Michel

There's nothing like the sunset over the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel to make for a thrilling weekend for two! If you're lucky enough to stay in a seaside hotel in Brittany like ours, you'll have the chance to see some superb ones all year round. Nevertheless, it has to be said that twilight over the bay of Mont Saint-Michel has something unique about it.

You're heading to Saint-Malo soon, but have you thought about getting away from it all? How about a visit to Mont-Saint-Michel? This majestic site attracts curious and romantic visitors from all over the world, and you too have the opportunity to join in the fun. Mont-Saint-Michel is a memorable experience less than an hour and a half from the Hôtel de la Cité, a Saint-Malo hotel offering top-of-the-range services. When you choose the Hôtel de la Cité, you'll have a front-row seat to the finest of shows.

Your hotel near Mont-Saint-Michel

Victor Hugo once wrote that Mont-Saint-Michel was the French equivalent of Egypt's Great Pyramid. An unmissable treasure of French heritage, Mont Saint-Michel and its idyllic scenery amaze travellers from all over the world. Normans and Bretons are very proud to own this emblematic rock, which dominates one of the most beautiful bays on the planet! The mythical site is less than an hour and a half from our charming hotel in Saint-Malo. In other words, you'll have no trouble enjoying the immensity of Mont-Saint-Michel and its abbey!

The tides, a phenomenon not to be missed

Offering no less than forty-one air-conditioned rooms in a contemporary style, our Hotel de la Cité, which is an expensive hotel in Saint-Malo but doesn't skimp on quality, puts at your disposal a whole host of tips to make your visit to Mont-Saint-Michel an unforgettable experience. After more than a decade of work, our Mont-Saint-Michel has regained its maritime character. The high tides are back, the reincarnation of Mother Nature's gentlest attentions. Clearly, there's no more exceptional sight in Brittany. When the water envelops the submersible channel, the fortress overlooking the entire Breton shore is transformed into an island for a few hours. Whether you discover it on foot, in a horse-drawn carriage or by sea train, there's nothing more enchanting than a sunset over the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

A visit to St-Malo means a visit to the Tour Solidor. Located just ten minutes from your Saint-Malo boutique hotel, the Tour Solidor is a fortified keep with no less than three singular towers, imposing in their strength and elegance. A visit to the Tour Solidor will also give you the opportunity to discover the Saint-Servan district, one of Saint-Malo's major cultural centers.

Just a few minutes from your Saint-Malo hotel

Listed as a historic monument since July 1886, La Tour Solidor is one of the corsair city's most emblematic architectural masterpieces. After a comfortable night's sleep in our Saint-Malo hotel and a hearty breakfast, you'll certainly want to set out to conquer this impregnable keep, built between 1369 and 1382 by Duke Jean IV of Brittany. Transformed into a prison in the 19th century, the Tour Solidor kept many priests, soldiers and statesmen locked up. But none of that awaits you in 2016! Today, the Tour Solidor houses a museum where you can discover the history of the town and its penchant for navigation. It's sure to be an enriching experience!

Visit to the museum and panoramic view of the bay

Located less than three kilometers from the Hôtel de la Cité - an affordable hotel in Saint-Malo - the Tour Solidor is home to the Long Cours et Cap Horniers museum, created in honor of long-haul sailing voyages. Several collections of objects and on-board instruments await you, and you'll also learn more about the daily lives of sailors of the time.

If you're not too keen on the late 19th-century nautical charts that make up the museum's main asset, you can always admire the panoramic view from the top of the Tour Solidor. The outdoor walkway offers breathtaking scenery, and you'll feel as if the world belongs to you! Before you leave, be sure to take a look at the pastel by Henri Arondel (1827-1900). Believe us, it's well worth the detour! Our hotel remains at your entire disposal and has many ideas for excursions in and around Saint-Malo.