Once home to privateers and pirates, St Malo has come a long way over the centuries. The cobbled streets and ancient walled port now make an excellent holiday spot. Pick up your Avis car rental at St Malo Maritime, and start exploring.

We make car rental easy, because we know you can’t wait to feel the freedom of the road and get the very most out of your stay. Wherever your travels take you, the keys are waiting for you to unlock the world.

Once you have your Avis car rental from St Malo Maritime, driving to downtown St Malo (via Avenue Louis Martin) takes just 10 minutes. Start within the old walls of La Citadelle, where much of the city is centred. Construction of the walls began in the Middle Ages and continued up until 1744. While much of the finished wall was damaged in World War II, there’s still some original section left on the west side.

Another historical landmark is the St Malo Cathedral, on Place Jean de Chatillon, dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa. It’s easily the biggest building in town and once you move past the walls, you’ll see the harbour, Fort National, and many beaches around St Malo. Head to Bidouane Tower, a lookout built on a rocky promontory to defend the city during the 15th century. It offers some fantastic views of Grand Bé island, where local writer Franҫois-René de Chateaubriand is buried. When the tide is low, you can walk across a cobble path to the island. Don’t worry if you get stranded – there are plenty of people willing to ferry you back to the mainland.

In the Bastion de la Hollande a statue of Jacques Cartier looms over the Rance river estuary. If it’s beach time you’re interested in, the Plague du Sillon is a beautiful stretch of golden sand. For something truly unique, head to Rothéneuf and visit the Rochers Sculptés, where a priest living as a hermit carved monsters and dragons into the rocks in the 1870s.

St Malo is an excellent place to discover Brittany.

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Medieval towns and seaside escapes await you just beyond St Malo.

Mont St Michel

Mont St Michel is located 50 minutes from St Malo via N176. This is one of the most popular destinations in Brittany, and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. A tiny island, the town is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The town’s crowning attraction, which dominates the tiny town, is the Mont Saint Michel Abbey. Built in the 8th century, this is one of the most recognised attractions in Brittany.

Dinard

Drive 20 minutes from St Malo on the D114 and you’ll come to Dinard. Formerly one of the most fashionable resorts in Europe, nowadays it’s a quiet seaside getaway. Start at the main beach, Plage de l’Ecluse. There’s also a town square here, dedicated to Marshall Joffre. Around this area, you’ll find casinos, swimming pools, hotels, and restaurants. There are plenty of lovely coastal walks from the town centre.

Dinan

Not to be confused with Dinard, Dinan is located 32 minutes from St Malo via Voie de la Liberté/D137 and N176. This medieval town is located on a hillside, overlooking the river Rance, and has some splendid views. All the streets here are lined with preserved timber buildings, and are completely encircled by a massive fortified wall.

Exploring Brittany is easy. All you have to do is drive.