Le Sillon beach named most beautiful beach in France

If you are looking to reach the Sillon beach from the Château de Saint-Malo, you will naturally come to the Fort National, which stands directly opposite the sea. Although its construction was instigated by Louis XIV to prevent the English from destroying Saint-Malo, it subsequently became a Republican Fort under the Revolution, and then a National Fort in 1870, earning it the nickname Fort Caméléon. Accessible at low tide, it is located on the Islet rock, and has been listed as a historic monument since 1906. You can therefore take guided tours, which are particularly enjoyable for history buffs, as well as for the magnificent views over the town.

At 1671 metres long, the seawall runs alongside the main beach, making it ideal for long strolls along the sea. Bordered by charming villas on one side, and oak breakwaters on the other that protect against the waves during high tides, the dyke is an emblematic part of Saint-Malo where you can take a stroll, go for a run, or even have a drink in one of the many cafés and restaurants available.

During your walk, take the opportunity to stop in front of some of the emblematic hotels on the Sillon dike, such as the Franklin Hotel, which was the first real Malouin hotêl outside the walls of the old town, the Sillon-Palace with its neo-classical pediments, and the Grand Hôtel des Thermes, which is a reason in itself to visit the town, as well as the many Malouin villas that showcase this very specific architecture.

An independent commune before 1967, when it became part of Saint-Malo, Paramé is now a small, chic and relaxed district to the east of the Intra-muros and to the south of the beaches of Le Sillon, La Hoguette and Rochebonne. Perfect for water sports, restaurants and crêperies, Paramé is also the ideal place to stroll in search of fresh produce, as is the case on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when its market offers a wide choice of local produce.

After your visit to the market, which promises many culinary discoveries, take the opportunity to stroll through the streets to discover the back of Le Sillon and Rochebonne, as far as the Parc des Chênes and the Claude Debussy Conservatoire, which are perfect for discovering the more local aspects of the town before returning gently to Rochebonne.

On the sea wall with a direct view of the sea, Brasserie du Sillon is equidistant from the Thermes Marins on one side and the Intra Muros on the other. As the location suggests, it's the ideal place to enjoy seafood platters, seafood cuisine and regional specialities. There are platters to suit all budgets and tastes, ranging from around €30 to €200, as well as a wide selection of wines, ensuring an ideal and refined evening. The place is particularly ideal in summer thanks to its magnificent terrace on the sea wall, offering a direct and uninterrupted view of the sea. It's a good place to stop in the afternoon for a hot drink accompanied by pastries made by the excellent pastry chef. In the early evening, you can also stop here to enjoy a delicious cocktail as the sun sets.

A new must for evenings out in Saint-Malo town centre is a stop at the Casino Barrière, one of the town's most festive venues. Known for both its slot machines and table games, the Casino also offers numerous themed evenings such as the Quiz show, live concerts, clubbing evenings with DJs, or Bistro Lotos, and remains open every day of the week until 2am, and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.