The history of Saint-Malo in a few paragraphs and essential facts that shed light on the construction of this unique city of character!
During your next stay at our hotel in Saint-Malo, you'll certainly have the pleasure of discovering the heritage of the walled city. But the corsair city's old buildings and ramparts don't tell the whole story! Here's a brief overview of Saint-Malo's creation, roots and development over the centuries!
ORIGINS DATING BACK TO THE 3RD CENTURY
In Gaulish times, Saint-Malo didn't exist. The site of today's town was deserted and nothing more than a pile of rocks. Opposite, on the shore, two small towns were developing: Corseul and Alet (now Saint-Servan). The latter was an important port, widely used and developed by the Romans. It wasn't until the 5th century that Saint-Malo, from Wales, settled on the rocky islet that would later bear his name.
URBANIZATION OF THE ISLAND FROM THE 12TH CENTURY ONWARDS
The two small towns of Alet and Corseul continued to develop until the end of the first millennium, but remained fragile in the face of numerous Norman attacks. In the middle of the 12th century, the town began to expand on the rock of Saint-Malo, which also housed the episcopal see.
From then on, the town continued to develop, and even enjoyed 4 years of independence with the Republic of Saint-Malo, which ended in 1594. It was during the discovery of the Americas and the development of trade with the Indies that Saint-Malo experienced its first boom.
The town was home to many shipowners. Jacques Cartier set off to discover and explore Canada, and privateers attacked the merchant and military ships of enemy nations, becoming famous names such as Duguay-Trouin and Surcouf.
SAINT MALO IN MODERN TIMES
The last two centuries have seen the city of Saint-Malo become a seaside resort and tourist town. The trend began in the second half of the 19th century. The city's fame was spread by writers who came to admire Chateaubriand's tomb on the islet of Grand Bé and fell in love with the region. What's more, the fashion for sea bathing created a real craze for Saint-Malo's beautiful beaches as soon as the railroad was built.
The development of leisure activities and vacations only confirmed this trend in the 20th century. After the Second World War, the old town was rebuilt within the city walls, with the aim of preserving as much of its traditional silhouette as possible.
Today, Saint-Malo is a major summer tourist center, a beautiful commercial, fishing and yachting port, and a welcoming city that's both dynamic and proud of its past!
