Saint Malo with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide to Brittany’s Walled City
St Malo is a beautiful walled city on Brittany’s coast, with golden beaches, cobbled streets, sea views and plenty of old-world charm. It’s busy, especially in summer, but it’s also a brilliant place to visit with kids because everything feels close together and easy to explore.
We visited St Malo in July 2024 with our children, who were 3 and 7 at the time. It was one of the busiest places we visited in Brittany, but also one of the most memorable. The old town can feel crowded, so the biggest win for us was having the beach right below the ramparts. When the streets felt too much, we could head straight down to the sand for a paddle, a run around and a bit of breathing space.
This guide covers how to spend a day in St Malo with kids, including where to walk, which beaches to visit, family-friendly food stops, how to get there from the UK, where to stay nearby and tips for visiting Mont Saint-Michel as part of the same trip.
If you’re planning a Brittany family holiday, St Malo is well worth adding to your itinerary. Just go prepared for crowds in peak season, build in beach breaks, and don’t feel like you need to do everything. Some of the best moments here are the simple ones: wandering the walls, eating crêpes, watching the boats and letting the kids run wild on the sand.
Saint Malo Brittany
Jump to What You Need
- Where is St Malo and why visit with kids?
- How to get to Saint Malo from the UK
- Where to stay near Saint Malo with kids
- Budgeting for a family trip to Saint Malo
- A city by the sea
- Plan your Mont Saint-Michel day
- Beach and rock pool adventures
- Cobbled streets and hidden corners
- Le Petit Train de Saint-Malo
- Visiting Mont Saint-Michel from St Malo
Where is St Malo and Why Visit with Kids?
St Malo is a historic port city in Brittany, north-western France, set on the English Channel coast. It’s best known for its walled old town, sandy beaches, sea views and maritime history.
We visited St Malo for the day while holidaying in Brittany in July 2024 - Read our guide here. It was one of the most popular places we visited, which also meant it was one of the busiest, especially around the old town.
But with kids, St Malo works really well because the beach sits just below the ramparts. One minute you’re wandering cobbled streets and city walls, the next you’re barefoot on the sand with space to run, paddle and reset.
It’s busy in summer, but it’s also beautiful, atmospheric and easy to enjoy at your own pace.
How to Get to Saint Malo from the UK
1. By Ferry + Car
Take the ferry from the UK: Brittany Ferries
Portsmouth to Saint Malo – around 8.5 hours. This is the easiest and most direct route if you’re travelling to Saint Malo, as you arrive straight into the city.
Portsmouth to Caen – around 6 hours.
Poole to Cherbourg – around 4–5 hours.
Plymouth to Roscoff – around 6 hours.
From the Ferry Port by Car:
From Saint Malo ferry port: Around 5–10 minutes to the old town, depending on traffic and parking.
From Caen: Around 2 hours to Saint Malo.
From Cherbourg: Around 2.5 hours to Saint Malo.
From Roscoff: Around 2.5 hours to Saint Malo.
For families, the Portsmouth to Saint Malo ferry is the simplest option because it brings you directly into the city. It’s especially handy if you’re travelling with your own car and want to avoid a long drive once you arrive in France.
2. By Eurostar + Train
Eurostar from London to Paris:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, which takes around 2 hours 16 minutes.
Transfer from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare Montparnasse by metro or taxi.
Train from Paris to Saint Malo:
Take the train from Paris Montparnasse to Saint Malo. Some routes are direct, while others involve a change at Rennes. Journey times are usually around 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the train.
This can be a good option if you don’t want to drive, although with children and luggage, the Paris station transfer is worth factoring in.
3. By LeShuttle + Car
Take LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais, which takes around 35 minutes.
Drive from Calais to Saint Malo, which takes just over 5 hours.
This option can work well if you’re planning a longer French road trip and want to stop in Normandy or northern France along the way. It can also be a more flexible option if you prefer to travel in your own car, although prices can be higher during school holidays.
4. By Ferry to Calais + Car
Another option is to take the ferry from Dover to Calais, then drive to Saint Malo.
Dover to Calais ferry crossing: Around 1.5 hours.
Drive from Calais to Saint Malo: Around 5 hours.
This can often be one of the cheaper ways to travel to France, especially compared with the direct Saint Malo ferry, but it does mean adding a longer drive once you arrive. It’s a good option if you’re road tripping through northern France or want to keep travel costs down.
The direct Portsmouth to Saint Malo route is usually the neatest family option because you arrive right where you need to be, while LeShuttle/Folkestone to Calais is the fastest Channel crossing at around 35 minutes, followed by a drive of just over five hours to Saint Malo. Eurostar lists London to Paris from 2 hours 16 minutes, and train services from Paris Montparnasse to Saint Malo are roughly 2.5 to 4 hours depending on whether the route is direct or via Rennes.
Budgeting for a Family Trip to Saint Malo
Saint Malo can be as budget-friendly or as expensive as you make it. The old town has plenty of crêperies, bakeries and casual food stops, which makes it easier to keep costs down with children. The bigger costs are usually travel and accommodation, especially if you’re visiting in July or August.
As a rough guide for a family of four:
Casual family meal: Around €50–€80 for crêpes, galettes, soft drinks or a simple café lunch.
Restaurant meal: Around €80–€130+ for a family of four, especially if you’re eating seafood or dining inside the old town.
Ice creams and snacks: Around €15–€30 for four ice creams, drinks or bakery treats.
Beach time and walking the ramparts: Free, which is one of the best things about Saint Malo with kids.
Le Petit Train de Saint-Malo: Budget around €25–€35 for a family of four, depending on children’s ages and current ticket prices.
Other paid activities: Allow around €40–€100+ if you add attractions such as the Grand Aquarium, boat trips or extra family activities nearby.
For travel from the UK:
Brittany Ferries Portsmouth to Saint Malo: This is usually the easiest route because you arrive directly into Saint Malo. Prices vary a lot by season, cabin type and vehicle size, but Direct Ferries shows Portsmouth to Saint Malo fares ranging roughly from £111 to over £1,000, with an average around £599. Brittany Ferries also lists short-break family offers from around £266 return for two adults, two children and a car on selected routes and dates.
P&O Dover to Calais ferry: This is often cheaper, but you’ll need to drive around five hours from Calais to Saint Malo. Direct Ferries lists Dover to Calais prices from around £25 to £290, with an average around £164 for recent searches.
LeShuttle Folkestone to Calais: The crossing takes around 35 minutes and is very convenient with children, but it can be more expensive. LeShuttle advertises fares from £59 per vehicle each way for some short trips, while Direct Ferries shows recent Folkestone to Calais Eurotunnel car prices averaging around £275.
For accommodation near Saint Malo:
Campsites and holiday parks: From around £30–£100+ per night, depending on the season, location and whether you’re booking a pitch, mobile home or Eurocamp-style stay.
Mid-range hotel: Around £120–£180 per night. Skyscanner shows the average 3-star hotel in Saint Malo at around £129 per night and 4-star hotels around £177 per night.
Luxury hotel: Around £230–£280+ per night. Booking.com lists luxury hotels in Saint Malo averaging around £237 per night, while Skyscanner shows 5-star hotels averaging around £249 per night.
If you’re travelling in peak summer, I’d book accommodation and crossings as early as possible. For keeping costs down, look just outside Saint Malo, use bakeries and supermarkets for picnic lunches, and save restaurant meals for the evenings or your main day in the old town.
Where to Stay Near Saint Malo with Kids
If you’re visiting Saint Malo as part of a family holiday in Brittany, you have a few really good accommodation options depending on the type of trip you want. You can stay close to the walled city for easy access to the beaches, restaurants and ferry port, or base yourselves slightly further out if you want more space, parking and a slower holiday feel.
We stayed in Brittany and visited Saint Malo for the day, which worked really well for us. Saint Malo can get very busy in peak summer, especially around the old town, so staying outside the city can be a great option if you’re travelling with children and want somewhere a little calmer to return to at the end of the day.
Eurocamp and Holiday Parks Near Saint Malo
For families, Eurocamp-style accommodation is a brilliant option in Brittany. You get the freedom of self-catering, outdoor space, swimming pools and activities for children, which can make the whole trip feel much more relaxed. It’s especially handy if you’re travelling by car from the UK and want somewhere with parking, easy meals and plenty for the kids to do between day trips.
One of the best-known options near Saint Malo is Domaine des Ormes, close to Dol-de-Bretagne. This is a large family-friendly holiday park set in the Brittany countryside, with swimming pools, activities and lots of space for children to burn off energy. It works well as a base for visiting Saint Malo, Mont Saint-Michel, Dinan and other parts of northern Brittany.
You can check Eurocamp stays near Saint Malo here: Domaine des Ormes Eurocamp
If you’re planning a longer Brittany road trip, it’s worth comparing a few different holiday parks in the region. Some are better for beach access, while others are more countryside-based with bigger pool complexes and on-site activities. For us, this style of stay is always a good balance with children because you can mix bigger sightseeing days with slower pool days, supermarket dinners and early nights when everyone is beautifully knackered.
You can compare Brittany holiday parks here: Saint Malo Holiday Parks
Hotels in Saint Malo
If you’d rather stay in the city itself, Saint Malo has lots of hotel options, from simple family-friendly hotels to more stylish stays close to the beach. Staying in Saint Malo is a lovely option if you want to wander the old town in the evening, walk the ramparts before the day-trippers arrive, or be close to the ferry port.
For families, I would look for hotels either inside the walled old town, known as Intra-Muros, or close to the beaches if you want easier access to the sand. Being able to pop back to your room after a beach trip or busy lunch is always a win with children, especially in summer when everyone needs a little reset.
You can search family-friendly hotels in Saint Malo here: Saint Malo Hotels
Apartments and Self-Catering Stays
Another great option for families is a self-catering apartment or residence. This gives you more flexibility with meals, snacks, washing and all the tiny-but-essential things that come with travelling with children. If your kids are anything like mine, having somewhere to make breakfast, store picnic bits and escape for a quiet hour can make a huge difference.
Self-catering stays are also a good choice if you want to stay for more than one night and explore the wider area. You could spend one day in Saint Malo, another visiting Mont Saint-Michel, and another exploring nearby places like Cancale or Dinan.
You can browse apartments and self-catering stays in Saint Malo: Saint Malo Apartments
Best Areas to Stay Near Saint Malo
If you want to be right in the heart of the atmosphere, stay in or near Intra-Muros, Saint Malo’s walled old town. This is best for short stays, ferry arrivals, easy restaurants and walking straight out into the historic centre.
If you want beach access, look at areas close to the seafront. This works well in summer as you can balance sightseeing with beach time, which is often exactly what children need after a morning of cobbled streets and grown-up history.
If you want more space and better value, look slightly outside Saint Malo towards Dol-de-Bretagne,Dinan orCancale. These areas can work really well if you have a car and want to explore more of Brittany without being based in the busiest part of the city.
For our style of family travel, I’d choose a holiday park or self-catering base outside the city for a longer Brittany trip, then visit Saint Malo as a day trip. But if you’re arriving by ferry or only staying for one or two nights, a hotel in Saint Malo itself would be the easiest option.
A City by the Sea
Beyond Saint Malo’s historic walls, the city opens out onto golden beaches, tidal islands and the ever-changing blues of the English Channel. It’s a place where the sea shapes the whole day, with dramatic tides revealing wide stretches of sand, rocky outcrops and pathways to places like Grand Bé, where the French writer Chateaubriand is buried.
For families, this makes Saint Malo feel like a natural playground. You can walk the ramparts, explore the old town, then head straight down to the beach when the children need space to run, climb and paddle.
Saint Malo is full of maritime history, but it still feels relaxed and easy to enjoy with kids. It’s a beautiful mix of cobbled streets, sea air, sandy breaks and Brittany charm.
St Malo Ramparts
Beach & Rock Pool Adventures
One of the best things about visiting Saint Malo with kids is how easy it is to mix sightseeing with beach time. The beaches sit right below the ramparts, so when the old town starts to feel busy, you can escape to the sand for paddling, shell collecting and a bit of space to run.
Walk to Grand Bé Island at Low Tide
At low tide, you can walk across the sand to Grand Bé, a small tidal island just off Saint Malo. It has amazing views back towards the city and is a fun little adventure for children who enjoy exploring. You may spot rock pools, crabs and tiny sea creatures along the way, which adds a bit of natural treasure-hunting to the day.
Just make sure you check the tide times before you go. The tides in Saint Malo move quickly, and you don’t want to get caught out. If in doubt, keep this as a viewing spot from the beach rather than crossing over.
Plage du Sillon
Plage du Sillon is Saint Malo’s long, golden sandy beach and a brilliant choice for families. There is plenty of space for children to run, play beach games and build sandcastles, especially when the tide is out. It’s also a lovely beach for a walk, with big sea views and that classic Brittany coastline feel.
Plage de Bon-Secours
Plage de Bon-Secours is one of the most popular beaches near the walled city. It has a seawater swimming pool, which makes it a fun spot for children, and a diving board for older kids and confident swimmers. It’s also a great beach if you want to stay close to the old town while still getting proper seaside time.
Plage de l’Éventail
Plage de l’Éventail sits just outside the city walls and is another lovely option for families. It’s easy to reach from the ramparts and has beautiful views back towards Saint Malo. At low tide, there is lots of sand to explore, making it ideal for a beach break after walking around the old town.
Plage du Môle
Plage du Môle is a smaller, more sheltered beach close to the old town. It can feel a little calmer than some of the bigger beaches and is a good option if you want a quick paddle or a shorter beach stop with younger children. Because it’s so close to the walled city, it’s handy for combining with lunch, ice cream or a wander through the cobbled streets.
Plage de Rochebonne
If you’re staying a little longer in Saint Malo, Plage de Rochebonne is another family-friendly beach to consider. It’s further along from Plage du Sillon and has a lovely neighbourhood feel, with places nearby for snacks, drinks and relaxed beach time.
Grand Bé Island in background
Cobbled Streets & Hidden Corners
Inside Saint Malo’s old walls, the narrow cobbled streets are perfect for a relaxed family wander. The old town, known as Intra-Muros, is compact and easy to explore, with little alleyways, hidden courtyards, independent shops and plenty of places to stop for food.
Place Chateaubriand, near the main gate, is one of the liveliest spots, lined with cafés and restaurants. It’s a good place to stop for a drink, coffee or an easy lunch while watching the world go by.
Saint Malo is also a lovely place to try local Breton food with children. Crêpes are usually the biggest hit, especially with chocolate, sugar or salted caramel. For something savoury, try a galette, a buckwheat pancake often filled with cheese, ham or egg.
You’ll also find bakeries selling baguettes, pastries and picnic bits, which are handy if your children prefer a quick snack over a long meal. For an easy family lunch, grab crêpes or bakery treats and head down to the beach below the ramparts for a relaxed picnic stop.
Le Petit Train de Saint-Malo
One of the best ways to explore St. Malo—especially with kids or if you want a relaxing tour—is by hopping on Le Petit Train de Saint-Malo. This charming little tourist train offers a guided journey through the town’s fascinating history, winding through the cobbled streets and along the scenic coastline.
What to Expect on the Tour
Duration: About 30–40 minutes
Languages: Commentary available in French, English, Spanish, and German
Starting Point: Esplanade Saint-Vincent (near the main gate of the old town)
Route Highlights:
The historic Intra-Muros (walled town)
Stunning views of the ramparts and beaches
The story of pirates & privateers
Fort National & the tides of St. Malo
Adults: €7-8
Children (under 12): €4-5
Free for kids under 3 years
Schedule:
Operates March to November, with daily departures in peak season.
Runs every 30-45 minutes during busy periods.
Plan Your Saint Malo Family Day
Visiting Mont Saint-Michel from St Malo
If you’re visiting Saint Malo with kids, Mont Saint-Michel in nearby Normandy is well worth adding to your trip. It’s one of the most famous places to visit in northern France and makes a brilliant day trip from Saint Malo.
That said, it can be busy, steep and a little full-on with children, especially in summer. My full Mont Saint-Michel family guide includes tips on how to manage the medieval streets, what to do when you arrive, what to take with you, where to eat and how to make the day easier with kids.
Read my full guide here: Visiting Mont Saint-Michel with Kids
Mont Saint Michel, Normandy
