Saint-Malo: privateer city

Home port of the most famous privateers in France, the city of Saint-Malo has an extraordinary heritage. Discover the places of interest and the thrilling history of the corsair city!

A city of privateers, shipowners and sailors

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The city of Saint-Malo is built in the open sea, on a huge rock connected to the land by a long sandbank called the Sillon. An ideal place to set out to conquer the oceans! 

After the discovery of the Americas and the development of trade with the East Indies, Saint-Malo developed considerably: under the reign of Louis XIV, it ranked among the very first ports in the country. Moreover, at the end of the 17th century, the king ordered the construction of the fort of Saint-Malo (designed by Vauban) to ensure the defense of the city.

At the time, the city was enriched thanks to the audacity and tenacity of its inhabitants who made their fortune at sea: shipowners, sailors, merchants… but also the many Malouin privateers who made the city famous. It is no coincidence that it bears the nickname "corsair city"!

The most famous privateers of Saint-Malo 

In the service of the king, privateers were authorized in times of war to plunder any ship flying an enemy flag. A profession that contributed to the enrichment of local families thanks to conflicts regularly opposing France to other maritime nations such as England. 

Among the Malouin privateers are two particularly famous characters:

• René Duguay-Trouin, born in 1673, was a privateer captain at the age of 18. He fought in the service of Louis XIV against the English, the Dutch and the Spanish and was appointed lieutenant general of the naval armies in 1728. A statue in his effigy is erected on the ramparts of the city, on the Saint-Louis quay.
• Privateer, shipowner and slave trader, Robert Surcouf was one of the richest Malouins of his time. Born in 1773, this famous privateer sailed on the oceans of Europe and on the route to India where he was nicknamed the “Tiger of the Seas”. His statue is located in the Cavalier garden, one of the most beautiful parks of Saint-Malo. 

Visiting the corsair frigates in Saint-Malo

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Taking a tour on the corsair frigates is an activity not to be missed if you visit Saint-Malo with your family. 

• At the foot of the city's ramparts, travel back in time and discover the daily life of privateers on the Étoile du Roy! This beautiful 3-masted ship is one of the essential museums of Saint-Malo. 
• To discover the Emerald Coast and the bay of Saint-Malo in an original way, embark on board the Renard, an emblematic ship of the Breton city! This 30 m corsair cutter is a replica of the last ship armed by Robert Surcouf.

Visiting a privateer's house in Saint-Malo

The Corsaire's residence, also called Hôtel Magon, is one of the only shipowner's houses not to have been destroyed during the 1944 bombings. 3 centuries old, it was built under Louis XIV by François-Auguste Magon de la Lande, shipowner and privateer having held the position of Director of the East India Company. 

The guided tour allows you to visit this unique residence. With 60 rooms (31 of which have a fireplace) it occupies an area of 700 square meters. A must do in Saint-Malo if you want to learn more about the life of sailors in the 18th century and the history of the city.

The islands to see off Saint-Malo

The Emerald Coast is full of heavenly islands. From the Saint-Malo beach (Bon Secours), access at low tide to the Grand Bé peninsula. This pleasant walk is home to Chateaubriand's tomb. It also offers a breathtaking view of the old town and the Petit Bé, a small neighboring fort located in the open sea. 

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By boat, take to the open sea to discover the wild island of Cézembre. With its south-facing exposure, it has the best oriented beach on the coast. In season, you can access it thanks to the daily shuttles that connect Cézembre to Saint-Malo. Please note: the northern part of the island is prohibited to visitors.  

A little further offshore, the Chausey Islands constitute a curious archipelago with magnificent white sand beaches. Daily shuttles provide the connection from the port of Saint-Malo.

Where to sleep in the corsair city?

Are you looking for a base for a vacation, a tourist weekend or a group stay in Saint-Malo? Discover our accommodation solutions at the best price!

• Close to the ramparts, the market, the maritime station and the Saint-Malo SNCF train station, our B&B HOTEL Saint-Malo Centre is the ideal base for discovering the corsair city. A stone's throw from the restaurants of Saint-Malo, the port and the Grand Aquarium, this establishment provides you with free parking, convenient for parking your vehicle safely.
•  Our B&B HOTEL Saint-Malo Sud is located 15 minutes by car from the city center of Saint-Malo and the city center of Dinard. Located in the peaceful town of Saint-Jouan des Guérets, in the immediate vicinity of the main traffic axes, this establishment also has free parking, reserved for our customers. 

Book your hotel in Saint Malo now and enjoy all the B&B HOTELS services at an exceptional price.