Out and about in St Malo

Brittany

The Brittany port of St Malo is one of the most popular tourist towns in north-west France and is a great place to spend a day or two of your holiday.

The historical walled city contains countless beautiful old buildings and picturesque winding streets which are perfect for exploring. If you're staying in one of the charming, rustic gites in Guebernez or one of the other rural areas of Brittany, a day in lively St Malo is the ideal way to incorporate some sightseeing and shopping into your holiday.

One of St Malo's main attractions is its spectacular Grand Aquarium. A great day out for adults and children alike, the aquarium is home to sea life from all over the world and interactive displays keep things exciting for youngsters. The popular circular aquarium feature allows visitors to stand right in the middle of the tanks and watch shoals of fish swim past.

There are also opportunities to touch some of the sea life, always a hit with kids. The other main family attraction in the town is Cobac Parc, a fantastic park set in woodland. The park offers activities for all ages, including swimming, fairground rides and mini-golf. Culture-vultures are well-catered for in St Malo, too.

The city's most famous museum, the Musee de la Ville, is housed in the Chateau de St Malo and details the fascinating local history from medieval times to the present day. There's lot to see in here so this is a great place to spend a few hours if you want to escape the hot sunshine (or rain if the weather isn't too good) for a while.

After your museum visit, refuel at one of the many wonderful bistros, cafes or food stalls St Malo does so well. One of the most popular local specialties is the humble yet delicious French crrpe and this versatile snack is served with a huge range of fillings on almost every street. St Malo is excellent for shopping, whether for food and drink or locally-produced souvenirs.

The narrow, winding streets are full of quirky little independent shops selling gifts, crafts and local produce. The local food markets are ideal for stocking up on delicious seasonal food before heading back to your accommodation.

If you're staying in one of the self-catering gites in Guebernez or surrounding areas, St Malo is a great place to buy more unusual foodstuffs not readily available in small rural shops. Brittany Ferries sail into St Malo from Portsmouth on a great cruise ferry.