Ramparts of Saint-Malo (Intra-Muros)

The Ramparts of Saint-Malo encircle the historic walled city, known as intra-muros, creating a granite fortress between the Rance estuary and the open sea. Built and extended from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, they protected one of France's most prosperous ports, the home of shipowners, explorers and corsairs. The walk along the top of the walls, almost all the way around the old town, is free and is the best introduction to Saint-Malo.

From the wall walk the views change constantly: the wide beaches below, the Fort National and the islets of Grand Bé and Petit Bé offshore, the Dinard shore across the estuary and the busy harbour on the landward side. Along the way you pass the main gates, including the Grande Porte and the Porte Saint-Vincent, towers such as the Tour Bidouane, and the Bastion de la Hollande, with statues of the city's famous sons, the navigator Jacques Cartier and the corsair Robert Surcouf, looking out to sea. At high tide during the big equinox tides, the waves break against the foot of the walls.

Inside the walls, the old town was largely destroyed in August 1944 and carefully rebuilt in granite in its former style, so the tall houses and narrow streets look remarkably old. The cathedral of Saint-Vincent, the castle housing the town hall and history museum, and countless creperies and seafood restaurants lie a few steps from the ramparts. A full circuit of the walls takes about an hour at an easy pace, and it is especially beautiful at sunset.