St Malo

A charming walled Old City (Intra-Muros), a string of golden sand beaches and a dramatic natural setting combine to make St Malo one of Brittany's premier tourist resorts. Constructed on a granite rock jutting out of the English Channel (La Manche) the Old City of St Malo, encircled protectively by 6m (20ft) thick walls, is the resort's principal attraction. During the summer months its narrow streets come alive as a throng of holidaymakers descend to take in the views from the ramparts or admire the centrepiece St Vincent Cathedral. Along the coast St Servan, Parme and Rotheneuf also form part of the St Malo resort. Here golden beaches, a variety of watersports, which run the gamut from sea kayaking to windsurfing, and a phalanx of resort hotels cater to the tourists' every need.

From late spring to autumn St Malo is particularly popular with British holidaymakers, especially those who hail from the Channel Islands. The combination of an historic Old Town and beach resorts, complete with all the trappings that you would expect, make St Malo popular with families. Singles and couples are also welcome at any time of year.

St Malo is located on the northeast coast of Brittany in northwest France. The resort is approximately 14km (10 miles) from Dinard Airport.

The Old City of St Malo is built on a granite outcrop located in the English Channel, and is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Parme and Rotheneuf are located to the east of the Old City and St Servan to the south.

The St Malo resort boasts a number of golden sand beaches, with the most popular trio located just outside the Old City. The sheltered Mole is favoured by sun worshippers and at the height of summer it can be difficult for holidaymakers to find a stretch of sand on which to unfurl their towels. Bon Secours with its large saltwater pool and sailing club is also a good bet. Sillon is another popular spot for wind-powered watersports.

Holidaymakers gain a different perspective of the Old City as they walk around a 2km (1.5 miles) stretch of the 14th century granite ramparts (accessed from Porte St-Vincent). From there they can look out over Saint Malo's rooftops and soak up panoramic views of the Bay of Saint Malo and its islets, before getting in and about the maze of medieval streets and admiring the 1160 nave vault of St Vincent Cathedral.

Justifiably popular with families, St Malo entertains children with its sandy beaches, a smorgasbord of watersports and resort hotels that typically boast swimming pool and kids clubs. Kids and big kids alike will be thrilled by the sharks and turtles at the Grand Aquarium (avenue du General Patton) (website: www.aquarium-st-malo.com).

St Malo has a surprisingly eclectic shopping scene with holidaymakers able to pick up everything from cheep and cheerful holiday souvenirs to sailing gear and chic clothing. The large Carrefour hypermarket, located just outside St Malo (Centre Commercial La Madeleine, avenue de la Flaudaise) is popular with day-trippers who have popped over on the ferry to stock up on cheap cigarettes and alcohol.

This relaxed family-orientated resort has an equally low-key nightlife scene. Although you won't find any raucous nightclubs in St Malo, there are plenty of cafés and bars to choose from, as well as the odd disco. Holidaymakers can also try their luck onboard the cruise ship cum casino, the Casino Barriere de Saint-Malo (2 chaussee du Sillon) (website: www.lucienbarriere.com).

St Malo's dining scene is dominated by French eateries. As such the resort boasts a proliferation of cafes, brasseries, bistros and fine dining restaurants. Le Brick (5 rue Jacques Cartier) for example, offers good value seafood set menus. If you are after a light snack then pick up a sweet or savoury pancake at one of the resort's creperies. International fast food chains have also found their way to St Malo.

St Malo has a good local bus service, which many holidaymakers find useful for travelling between their hotels to the Old City. It is also possible to hire cars and bicycles in the resort. Taxis are readily available. Boats run from St Malo to Dinard.

A rocky islet dominated by an imposing Benedictine abbey (constructed between the 11th and 16th centuries), the historic settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel (website: www.ot-montsaintmichel.com), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an impressive sight. This important European pilgrimage spot can be reached in just over an hour by bus from St Malo and is well worth a visit for the photo opportunities alone.

Push the boat out at what is arguably St Malo's best restaurant, A La Duchesse Anne (5 place Guy La Chambre) (tel: (02) 9940 8533). Make the most of the restaurant's dramatic setting amidst the Old City ramparts, as you savour fine-dining traditional French cuisine and mouth-watering seafood washed down with champagne.

Dinard Airport (DNR)