Saint-Malo is a walled pirate city on the coast of Brittany, and most ships tender here. Walking the free ramparts is the highlight. Mont-Saint-Michel is a long but popular tour.
Where Saint-Malo lies
Saint-MaloAvignonBarcelonaDoverLisbonLyonMarseilleParisPortoRotterdamSouthamptonA CoruñaAlicanteBilbaoCartagenaCherbourgCobhFalmouthGuernseyHonfleurIbizaLe HavreMahón, MenorcaPalma de MallorcaPortlandSèteTarragonaValenciaVigoWaterfordZeebruggeWhere your ship docks
Most cruise ships anchor off Saint-Malo and tender passengers into the port near the walled city. Small ships can enter the harbor basins. (Not confirmed on an official page; the brief requires us to flag this.)
Shuttle. Not usually needed for the walled city.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to Walled city (intra-muros) | Short walk from the landing (unverified) | Free |
| Ship tour (bus option exists) to Mont-Saint-Michel | Full day | Tour price; older bus listing: line 17 about €2.50 to Pontorson, then shuttle about €2.80 |
| Walk across the sand at low tide to Fort National, Grand Bé | 30-60 minutes | Free to Grand Bé |
Walk to Walled city (intra-muros)
- Walk from the tender landing to the city gates.
Ramparts walk is free.
Ship tour (bus option exists) to Mont-Saint-Michel
- Book a ship tour; public buses run only twice a day.
Public bus timing is too risky for most calls.
Walk across the sand at low tide to Fort National, Grand Bé
- Check tide times first.
Tides here are among the biggest in Europe; the path floods fast.
What to see
Ramparts walk
Walk around the old city walls with sea views.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- Free
Intra-muros old town
Granite streets, crêperies, Saint-Vincent cathedral.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Tickets
- Free
Grand Bé and Fort National
Tidal islands reachable on foot at low tide.
- How
- Walk across the beach.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- Grand Bé free; fort paid
Mont-Saint-Michel
Abbey on a tidal island.
- How
- Ship tour.
- Time
- Full day
- Tickets
- Abbey paid
Dinard
Elegant seaside resort across the river.
- How
- Boat or bus.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Fare
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- 8:30 Tender ashore.
- 9:00 Walk the ramparts (1 hour).
- 10:15 Old town streets and cathedral.
- 11:30 Walk to Grand Bé if the tide is out (check times).
- 12:45 Lunch: crêpes and cider.
- 14:00 Beach or shopping.
- 15:30 Join the tender line; aboard well before the last tender.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Tender port; swell can slow or stop tenders.
- Tides: never get caught on the causeways.
- Mont-Saint-Michel trips are long and crowded.
Do this
- Check the tide table on the tourist office site before walking to Grand Bé.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- No French cruise passenger tax known.
Accessibility
Tenders need some mobility. Ramparts have steps; old streets are cobbled.
Money
Euro (EUR). Cards widely accepted; carry a little cash for small cafes and markets.
More of the The Atlantic Coast
Sources & what we could not confirm · 2 sources · checked 2026-11
- Tender vs dock and landing location (no official cruise page opened).
- Bus fares to Mont-Saint-Michel (older listing).
- Fort National fee.