🎧 Saint-Malo Audio Guide:The Secrets of the Pirate City
📍 17 audio stops at your own pace
⏱️ About 2 hours of immersive exploration (1.5 hours for those in a hurry).
📱 Directly on your phone, no app required
🗺️ Built-in Google Maps links to guide you
👨👩👧👦 A single license is enough for a group tour
✅ 3 free episodes to try before you buy
🎙️ Stories, legends, privateers, ramparts, and surprising anecdotes
If you’re on the fence, listen to the trailer and the 3 free episodes below to help you decide.
If you like the tone, the stories, and the tour, unlock the entire tour right away for just:
💶 €7.50
How does this audio guide for Saint-Malo work?
To access the tour, simply enter your email address and complete your purchase in just a few seconds using a credit card or directly through your phone, depending on the available options. Once payment is complete, you’ll have immediate access to the audio guide.
You can then listen to the 17 stops directly from your smartphone, without having to download an app or create a complicated account.
Each stop also includes a Google Maps link that lets you easily find your way to the next stop without getting lost.
You’re completely free to do as you please: there’s no set schedule. You can start the tour whenever you like, take a break for lunch, snap some photos, or relax at a sidewalk café, then pick up exactly where you left off.
Oh! While I’m at it. You can even shorten the tour by skipping the sites marked OPTION.
All you have to do is head to the starting point and let yourself be guided through the streets, ramparts, and secrets of Saint-Malo.
Discover the stages of the immersive audio guide to Saint-Malo
1. Porte Saint-Vincent: step into the heart of Saint-Malo
The Porte Saint-Vincent is the true gateway to the history of Saint-Malo. Behind its thick stone walls lie the ramparts, Breton legends, privateers and the unique spirit of the people of Saint-Malo. You’ll discover why this pirate town has long remained a city apart, proud of its symbols, its independence and its character forged by the sea.
The exterior of the Porte Saint Vincent. It features the coats of arms of Saint-Malo and Brittany. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: KovalenkovPetr / via Depositphotos.
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The origin of the name Intra-Muros: why locals simply say ‘intra’ when referring to the historic centre.
- The ramparts of Saint-Malo: a 1,750-metre-long wall built and extended over the centuries to protect the town.
- The symbol of the Breton ermine: the medieval legend that explains why this animal became the emblem of Brittany.
- The mottos of the people of Saint-Malo: ‘Semper fidelis’ and the famous ‘Neither French nor Breton, I am from Saint-Malo’.
- The Château de Saint-Malo: this fortress, now the town hall, which the locals have long detested.
- The flag that annoyed General de Gaulle: the surprising story of the Saint-Malo flag flying above the French flag.
- The spirit of Saint-Malo: a city with a maritime focus, dedicated to trade and adventure, and fiercely attached to its identity.
2. The castle that the people of Saint-Malo stormed
The castle of Saint-Malo has protected the town for centuries… but the locals hated it for a long time. Behind its massive stone walls lie tales of revolts, bombardments, stubborn Dukes of Brittany and even an incredible independent republic that existed in Saint-Malo for four years. This stop immerses you in the unique character of the people of Saint-Malo: proud, free and capable of rebuilding their city stone by stone after the war.
The Saint-Malo flag flies proudly atop the keep of Saint-Malo Castle / by Marie Sjödin from Pixabay
During this stopover, you will discover:
- Why the castle kept such a close watch on the town’s inhabitants: the arrow slits and cannons trained on the town bear witness to the Dukes of Brittany’s mistrust of the people of Saint-Malo.
- The Republic of Saint-Malo: the astonishing history of this city, which enjoyed four years of independence before returning to French rule.
- Anne of Brittany and the union with France: how the duchess’s marriage changed the history of Brittany.
- The tragedy of the 1944 Liberation: the bombings that destroyed 80% of Saint-Malo during the summer of 1944.
- The role of Cézembre and the town of Alet: the last Nazi strongholds around Saint-Malo.
- The incredible reconstruction of the town: how the people of Saint-Malo rebuilt their town almost stone by stone after the war.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
3. The house where Chateaubriand was born
This street, which survived the bombings, reveals the true character of the Saint-Malo of yesteryear. A town of narrow alleyways, shipowners’ houses facing the sea, and great figures who set out to conquer the world. It was here that François-René de Chateaubriand was born, on a stormy night that has become one of the most famous passages in French literature.
Chateaubriand / Par Anne-Louis Girodet — The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN : 3936122202., Domaine public, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151807
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The true face of old Saint-Malo: a town of narrow streets once home to sailors, craftsmen and shipowners.
- Chateaubriand’s birthplace: the place where one of France’s greatest writers was born.
- Famous figures from Saint-Malo: Jacques Cartier, Surcouf, Duguay-Trouin, Marion du Fresne and Maupertuis.
- More of Old Saint-Malo: head to Rue du Pélicot to discover the working-class houses of the 17th-century pirate town.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
4. The oldest street in Saint-Malo
Welcome to Rue du Pélicot, the oldest street still visible in the original Saint-Malo. Here, it’s easy to picture the pirate town of yesteryear: clogs clattering on the cobblestones, sailors shouting in the taverns, craftsmen at work, and this incredibly dense town enclosed within its ramparts.
Photo: Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The working-class Saint-Malo of the privateers: a noisy, lively town teeming with sailors.
- The town’s oldest street: one of the few places where you can imagine what Saint-Malo was like before 1944.
- The houses with glass façades: these dwellings were directly inspired by the windows of ships.
- Why Saint-Malo resembled a giant drum: the ramparts and narrow streets echoed every sound.
- The great fire of 1661: the blaze that destroyed 273 houses in a matter of hours.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
6. The ramparts, Vauban and the spring tides
There you are, you’ve finally made it to the ramparts of Saint-Malo. From here, the pirate town reveals some of its most beautiful views: Éventail Beach, the Sillon, the Fort National, and the sea, which can be magnificent… or fearsome at spring tides.
The Fort National is located right in front of you / Photo selected by Monsieur de France by Nicolas IZERN from Pixabay
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The Saint-Thomas Gate: the quieter entrance to the ramparts, away from the crowds.
- The first sea baths: this fashion, which arrived from England in the 19th century, transformed Saint-Malo.
- The astonishing rolling cabins: these small shelters pulled by horses to allow ladies to bathe without being seen.
- The Sillon breakwaters: the enormous wooden piles designed to protect the coast from erosion.
- Fort National: the fortress built by Vauban to defend Saint-Malo against attacks from the sea.
- Vauban, Louis XIV’s military genius: the man who covered France with fortresses reputed to be impregnable.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
7. The British’s infernal machine designed to destroy Saint-Malo
From the Bastion à la Reine, Saint-Malo offers one of its most beautiful views… and one of its wildest stories. Here, you’ll discover how the English attempted to wipe the pirate city off the map using a ship converted into a gigantic floating bomb. A spectacular attack that could have destroyed Saint-Malo forever.
The Cannons of Saint-Malo / Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The Bastion à la Reine: this section of the ramparts was once nicknamed the ‘wet fort’ because the sea used to wash over it.
- The Fort de la Conchée: the impressive fortress designed by Vauban to protect Saint-Malo from English attacks.
- The role of privateers: these sailors authorised by the king to attack enemy ships thanks to the famous “letters of marque”.
- Why Saint-Malo was nicknamed “the hornet’s nest” by the English.
- The infernal machine of 1693: the English’s incredible plan to turn an entire ship into a giant bomb.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
8. The Bidouane Tower and the sailors of Newfoundland
The Bidouane Tower has watched over the sea for over 700 years. With its three-metre-thick walls, this immense tower defended Saint-Malo against attacks from the sea. It has seen privateers set sail, cod fishermen return, and has weathered centuries of maritime adventures.
The Bidouane Tower as seen from Bonsecours Beach. Image selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Neirfys / via Depositphotos
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The Bidouane Tower: one of the oldest monuments in Saint-Malo.
- The Saint-Malo powder magazine: the place where gunpowder and ammunition were stored.
- The great privateer ships: these immense wooden vessels that set sail to plunder the seas in the name of the King of France.
- The Terre-Neuvas: the fishermen who set out for months on end into the icy waters of Newfoundland to bring back cod.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
9. The most beautiful view in Saint-Malo
From the top of the Bidouane Tower, Saint-Malo offers what is probably its most beautiful view. Before you lie the English Channel, the coastal forts, Cézembre, Dinard and the islets of Grand Bé and Petit Bé. A magnificent panorama… but one steeped in tales of wars, tides and Breton legends.
From the Bidouane Tower, the view stretches across the whole of Saint-Malo Bay / Photo: Depositphotos
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The most spectacular view in Saint-Malo: the vista of the English Channel, the forts and the islets surrounding the town.
- The island of Cézembre: this island was once connected to the mainland before the sea level rose.
- Cézembre during the Second World War: one of the most heavily bombed places in Europe during the Liberation.
- The 20,000 bombs dropped on the island: a landscape still scarred today by craters and restricted areas.
- The danger of the tides: why you should always check the timetables before heading to the islets.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
10. Surcouf, the privateer who terrorised England
Robert Surcouf is probably the most famous of all the people of Saint-Malo. A feared privateer, a provocateur, indomitable and immensely wealthy, he struck fear into the hearts of English ships for years. Standing facing the sea, his statue still serves today as a reminder of the strong character of Saint-Malo and its inhabitants.
The statue of Robert Surcouf, a privateer from Saint-Malo / Photo selected by Monsieur de France: by JackieLou DL from Pixabay
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The Bastion de la Hollande: this section of the ramparts was built during the Dutch War in the 17th century.
- Le Petit Bé: the fort is accessible at low tide when the French flag flies at the top.
- Bon-Secours Beach: one of Saint-Malo’s first leisure beaches, featuring its famous seawater swimming pool.
- The large cannons of 1694: guns presented by Louis XIV’s representative to thank the Saint-Malo privateers.
- Jacques Cartier: the Saint-Malo-born navigator who discovered Canada for King Francis I.
- The first French people to taste popcorn: the surprising anecdote reported by Cartier’s sailors.
- Canada’s fake diamonds: Jacques Cartier’s great disappointment on his return to France.
- The link between Saint-Malo and Quebec: why the city still maintains a very strong bond with French-speaking Canadians today.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
11. Jacques Cartier and the Canadian Dream
From the bastion of Holland, Saint-Malo looks out to sea… and towards the New World. Here, amongst the old cannons, the coastal forts and Bon-Secours beach, you can discover the incredible story of Jacques Cartier, the man from Saint-Malo who opened the way to Canada for the French.
The Bastion of Holland as seen from the Bidouane Tower. Photo (c) monsieurdefrance.com
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The Bastion de la Hollande: this section of the ramparts was built during the Dutch War in the 17th century.
- Le Petit Bé: the fort is accessible at low tide when the French flag flies at the top.
- Bon-Secours Beach: one of Saint-Malo’s first leisure beaches, featuring its famous seawater swimming pool.
- The large cannons of 1694: guns presented by Louis XIV’s representative to thank the Saint-Malo privateers.
- Jacques Cartier: the Saint-Malo-born navigator who discovered Canada for King Francis I.
- The first French people to taste popcorn: the surprising anecdote reported by Cartier’s sailors.
- Canada’s fake diamonds: Jacques Cartier’s great disappointment on his return to France.
- The link between Saint-Malo and Quebec: why the city still maintains a very strong bond with French-speaking Canadians today.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
12. The inland sea and beautiful Dinard
From the Saint-Philippe bastion, Saint-Malo takes on a whole new look. Here you can discover the “inner sea”, the historic ports of the privateers, the starting point of the Route du Rhum… and, just opposite, Dinard, the elegant seaside resort that became the favourite retreat of the English aristocracy.
The Môle des Noires as seen from the Bastion Saint Philippe. Image selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Image by Thierry BEUVE from Pixabay
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The Saint-Philippe Bastion: this section of the ramparts, reclaimed from the sea in the 18th century.
- The Inner Harbour of Saint-Malo: the sheltered basin where privateers and cod fishermen used to arrive.
- The Môle des Noires: this long breakwater that has protected the harbour entrance since the 19th century.
- The Route du Rhum: the famous transatlantic race that always sets sail from Saint-Malo every four years.
- The Rance ferrymen: these boatmen, sometimes quite charming, who ferried travellers across the river.
- Dinard, the “Breton Monaco”: the chic seaside resort adored by the English since the 19th century.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
13. Duguay-Trouin, the charming privateer
Standing before you is one of Saint-Malo’s greatest heroes: René Duguay-Trouin. A brilliant privateer, adventurer, charmer and formidable strategist, he led a life worthy of a novel. Escapes, naval battles, immense fortunes and military exploits: this stop takes you back to the golden age of the Saint-Malo privateers.
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During this stopover, you will discover:
- René Duguay-Trouin: the privateer from Saint-Malo who became a true legend under Louis XIV.
- His incredible escape from England: how he managed to flee Plymouth thanks to a love affair.
- The future privateer’s seasickness: the surprising weakness he had to overcome before becoming a sailor.
- The spectacular attack on Rio de Janeiro: Duguay-Trouin’s greatest military feat in 1711.
- The hero’s rediscovered grave: the privateer’s remains repatriated to Saint-Malo Cathedral in 1973.
- The Malouinières: the grand country estates built by wealthy shipowners.
- The global trade of the people of Saint-Malo: ships that sailed as far as China, Peru and Java.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
14. The guard dogs… and the monkey of Saint-Malo
The Grand’Porte is one of Saint-Malo’s historic gateways. Privateers, sailors, fishermen and travellers have all passed through this gate over the centuries. But hidden behind its stone walls are two incredible stories: that of the fearsome watchdogs… and that of a monkey who kidnaps a baby from the city’s rooftops.
During this stopover, you will discover:
- La Grand’Porte: the historic gateway to Saint-Malo since the 16th century.
- La “Noguette”: the bell that announced the curfew in the town every evening.
- The fearsome watchdogs: mastiffs trained to defend Saint-Malo for over 600 years.
- Moune the monkey: the monkey who became famous after carrying a baby across the city’s rooftops.
- -The protective symbol of sailors: why the people of Saint-Malo still pay their respects to Our Lady before setting sail.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
15. The best butter in the world!
Welcome to Bordier, a true culinary institution in Saint-Malo. Here, butter is almost a religion. From the famous Breton salted butter and salted butter caramel to the amazing flavours created by Bordier, this stop immerses you in one of Brittany’s greatest pleasures: eating… and eating very well.
During this stopover, you will discover:
- Bordier: the legendary butter shop in Saint-Malo.
- Why butter is salted in Brittany: the historical role of salt in preservation and Breton cuisine.
- Salted butter caramel: one of the region’s iconic delicacies.
- The surprising flavours of butter: seaweed, yuzu, Espelette pepper, black truffle or even Ghanaian chocolate.
- Breton buckwheat: this hardy grain has become the staple of the famous Breton galettes.
- Breton cuisine: a hearty cuisine deeply rooted in Brittany’s maritime and rural history.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
16. Saint-Vincent Cathedral, the heart and soul of Saint-Malo
If one had to sum up Saint-Malo in a single monument, it would be this one. Saint-Vincent Cathedral has been part of the history of this pirate city since the Middle Ages. It has witnessed bishops, privateers, explorers, wars, fires and reconstructions. Destroyed during the Liberation and then rebuilt stone by stone, it perfectly symbolises the indomitable spirit of the people of Saint-Malo.
The interior of Saint-Malo Cathedral and its unique atmosphere. Image selected by monsieurdefrance.com: jjfarquitectosJJ via Depositphotos.
During this stopover, you will discover:
- Why the cathedral symbolises the soul of Saint-Malo: a monument that grew up alongside the city itself.
- Saint Jean de la Grille: the local saint whose tomb attracted so many pilgrims that it had to be protected behind a grille.
- The evolution of the cathedral: a building that has been extended over the centuries, growing alongside the city.
- Post-war reconstruction: nearly 30 years of work to bring the cathedral back to life.
- The “Noguette” bell: the famous curfew bell recast after being cracked during the war.
- The Jacques Cartier mosaic: the spot where the explorer is said to have come to pray before setting off for Canada.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
17. Kouign-amann, crêpes and Breton delicacies
You can’t leave Saint-Malo without mentioning Breton cuisine. From salted butter and kouign-amann to craquelins and large Breton crêpes, this final culinary stop takes you on a journey through Brittany’s most famous flavours… with some handy tips on how to order like a true Breton.
Butter, sugar, flour... Just three ingredients, and yet making Kouign Amann isn’t easy. Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Depositphotos.
During this stopover, you will discover:
- The famous kouign-amann: the renowned Breton “butter cake” that originated in Douarnenez.
- The history of the kouign-amann: how a baker who ran out of flour created one of Brittany’s most indulgent desserts.
- The craquelin from Saint-Malo: this dry bread roll invented by sailors for long voyages.
- Authentic Breton crêpes: thin, delicious and a must-try in Saint-Malo.
- The difference between crêpes and galettes: essential information to avoid offending a Breton.
- Seafood: lobsters, crabs, spider crabs and scallops.
- Scallop fishing: a highly regulated activity to preserve the species.
🎧 Continue the full tour : 7,50 €
Photo selected by monsieurdefrance.com: Photo Boards on Unsplash
FAQ on the Saint-Malo audio guide
What is the best guide for visiting Saint-Malo?
If you’re looking for a guide to explore Saint-Malo at your own pace, this immersive audio guide takes you on a journey lasting nearly two hours through the city walls, its history of privateers, the spring tides and the secrets of this former privateering town. You can listen whenever you like, directly on your smartphone, with no app to download.
Can you visit Saint-Malo with an audio guide?
Yes, and it’s actually one of the best ways to explore the town. The Saint-Malo audio guide lets you wander freely whilst listening to stories, anecdotes and historical explanations as you make your way through the streets and along the ramparts.
How long is the Saint-Malo audio guide?
The full tour lasts around two hours and includes 18 immersive audio stops throughout the historic centre of Saint-Malo.
You can also shorten the tour by skipping the OPTIONAL stops, in which case the tour will take 1½ hours.
Can we listen to the audio guide for free?
Yes. The first three stages are available free of charge so you can try out the experience before unlocking the full tour.
Do I need to download an app?
No. The audio guide works directly on your smartphone via a simple web page. No app download is required.
Can two people take the tour using just one audio guide?
Yes. Many visitors listen to the audio tour as a couple or with their family, sharing the same smartphone during the walk.
What can you see during the tour?
You’ll discover the ramparts, privateers such as Surcouf and Duguay-Trouin, Jacques Cartier, the spring tides, Saint-Vincent Cathedral, the coastal forts, Breton specialities and the secrets of old Saint-Malo.
Is the audio guide suitable for a first visit to Saint-Malo?
Yes. It is specifically designed to give you a quick insight into the history, spirit and must-see sights of this pirate town.
Can we take the tour whenever we like?
Yes. You can start the stages whenever you like and explore Saint-Malo at your own pace.
Where does the audio tour of Saint-Malo start?
The tour begins in front of the tourist information office or at the Porte Saint-Vincent, the historic gateway to the ramparts of inner Saint-Malo.
The terms and conditions are available here.
Learn more about Saint-Malo
- Visiting Saint-Malo: The Complete Guide to the Pirate City
- The Ramparts of Saint-Malo: The City’s Most Beautiful Walk
- What to See in Saint-Malo in a Weekend? The Must-Sees
- Dinan: The Stunning Medieval Town Near Saint-Malo
- Dinard: The Elegant Gem of the Emerald Coast
- Discover Brittany and the Emerald Coast
- If you love Brittany, here’s what I loved
- An article and an audio guide by Jérôme Prod’homme for Monsieur de France, written with passion and a love of sharing stories about France, tourism and gastronomy.
