Saint-Vincent Cathedral, Saint-Malo

National GeographicNov 26, 2023

In this French seaside town, discover the places in ‘All the Light We Cannot See’

Nearly annihilated during World War II, Saint-Malo has long been a beacon of maritime adventure—and potent rebellion. Here’s how to experience it. Saint-Malo, an historic seaside town in Brittany, is ...

23 things in this story

Intra-MurosNeighborhoodOld town; identical reconstruction after WWII
No. 25 Rue de ToulouseSightSee numbers written on stones from reconstruction
Hotel of BeesHotelImaginary blue-shuttered hotel on Rue de la Crosse
Saint-Vincent CathedralSightBienvenue sur le site de la cathédrale saint Vincent de Saint-Malo.
Grand BéSightIsland accessed at low tide; tomb of Chateaubriand
Petit BéSightIsland part of 17th-century coastal fortifications
Fort NationalSightFort where Resistance fighters were imprisoned
Cité d’AletParkPeninsula with 18th-century fort; Hitler's Atlantic Wall
Bastion de la HollandeSightNear fictional grotto; used for watch dogs
Mémorial 39-45MuseumMuseum in German bunkers; open seasonally
Madame Ruelle’s bakeryRestaurantImaginary bakery on Rue Robert Surcouf
4 Rue VauborelSightPost-war residential block; home of Marie-Laure's uncle
CézembreSightIsland where German-Italian forces surrendered
RampartsSightWalkable walls circling city since 12th century
Plage du MôleSightSandy beach with high tidal range
Demeure de CorsairHotelHome of historian Olivier Chereil de la Rivière
Route du RhumTrailPrestigious open-ocean race departing Saint-Malo
Energy ObserverPlaceWorld's first hydrogen-powered vessel
Grain de SailPlaceZero-carbon cargo ship
Rue de la CrosseSight
Rue Robert SurcoufSight
Rue de ToulouseSight
François-René de ChateaubriandSight

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Saint-Vincent Cathedral

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In this French seaside town, discover the places in ‘All the Light We Cannot See’