This time, we strolled leisurely along the coastline, capturing some stunning photos before circling around Grand Bé. From a distance, we admired Petit Bé, where Chateaubriand’s tomb rests on the island of Grand Bé. We stood there for a while, both feeling that being laid to rest in such a serene place must be incredibly romantic 🥹 (see pic 18).
For lunch, we decided to dine at a charming restaurant we had picked out earlier during our train ride—Tandem (p8), located at 41 Rue Ville Pépin, 35400 Saint-Malo. The menu was refreshingly simple, likely because it’s a cozy little bistro [smack R]. There were only two main courses available, so naturally, we opted for different ones: lamb and silver cod.
Both dishes were absolutely delicious, though for an appetizer and two mains, the 68-euro bill felt a bit steep. While enjoyable, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a top choice.
For dinner, we dined seaside at Le Sillon (p7), found at 3 Chau. du Sillon, 35400 Saint-Malo. We chose this spot specifically because we were craving steak! I indulged in their succulent duck breast, which did not disappoint. To cap off the meal, we shared two desserts. Interestingly, I discovered the pastry chef’s Instagram account, and their plating was simply exquisite.
On the menu, I spotted a dish intriguingly titled “Chef’s Recommendation of the Day” and decided to take a chance. It turned out to be a rich chocolate mousse cake [drinking milk tea R]. This delightful blind-box experience was pure joy, with the mousse texture crafted to perfection!
(p9-p10) If you’re visiting Saint-Malo, chances are someone will rave about Kouign-amann, the iconic Breton specialty pastry. Do yourself a favor and grab one fresh and hot—it’s sweet, buttery, and utterly irresistible. On our first day, we fell head over heels for it. After returning from Cancale the following day (more on that trip next time), the only thing we did in Saint-Malo was to buy another one.
Whether or not it lived up to the hype, you can tell from p10 just how much I savored every bite.
A word of warning to fellow travelers: steer clear of the pirate candy store in the old town [angry R]. I casually grabbed a small handful of candies, yet ended up paying 9.8 euros, while my friend paid 8 euros. It felt like getting ripped off for nougat [crying R][crying R][crying R]. Of course, if you’ve got money to burn and are looking for a fun splurge, picking your own candy in-store is undeniably entertaining.
Surprisingly, no one on Xiaohongshu seems to have mentioned transportation in Saint-Malo! Here’s a handy tip: download the tixiPass app beforehand, select Saint-Malo, and register an account. You can then purchase tickets directly through your phone. 🎫 Each ride costs just 1.35 euros, or you can opt for a 24-hour ticket for 3.9 euros. Note that it’s not a day pass but a continuous 24-hour ticket, making it incredibly convenient for exploring the city.
