My visit to St Malo

[MontyMariner]

Left St Cast, the start of my return to the UK. Filled in my PAF, destination St M, marina office says I can't do that, St C is a secondary port, St M is a primary, you have to leave France. "OK, change the destination to Jersey" there was no problem with that.
Arrived at St M, had to trudge to the Customs office, over the lock on the St Sav side, it took some finding! to get my passport stamped in. The walk fair knackered my poor old knees. On leaving, locking was quite early, I'm I knew it would be a tight run to get there and back (they open at 6) and catch the lock, so I went the day before. As luck would have it, I met a Brit couple who had bikes onboard, so I cheekily asked if I could use one to go to the Customs, which turned a trudge into a present bike ride, I will be eternally grateful.
The Customs were reluctant to stamp me out as I wasn't leaving that day, but they did as I told them that I would be leaving before they opened at 6, but they weren't happy about it. I don't know why they couldn't change the date on their stamp machine!
Now back in St Aubins, Jersey. I do like it here, plus it's free To Guernsey and anchor in the bay tomorrow. Also free.

 

[johnalison]

It’s a good while since we last went to St Malo. We were with a large group and they stuck us on the town wall with no water or electrics, so we weren’t very pleased. However, I always enjoyed the town and all the walks you could do around.

 

[MontyMariner]

It’s a good while since we last went to St Malo

Same here, the last time I visited there was only a couple of pontoons, now totally revamped and expanded. The toilet facilities are totally rubbish, a big comedown after St Cast.

 

[johnalison]

Same here, the last time I visited there was only a couple of pontoons, now totally revamped and expanded. The toilet facilities are totally rubbish, a big comedown after St Cast.

I don't know what it is like now but when we first visited in 1999 the town pontoons were almost all for visitors but a few years later they were almost all residents, forcing most visitors out to the marina. This was especially irritating because there is plenty of space for residents in the next-door dock. Our first visit was notable for the fact that an English boat refused to have us alongside because we were 'too big', though both were Sadler 29s!

 

[doug748]

"The Customs were reluctant to stamp me out as I wasn't leaving that day, but they did as I told them that I would be leaving before they opened at 6, but they weren't happy about it. I don't know why they couldn't change the date on their stamp machine!"

I think it varies from place to place. I have been stamped out for the next day with no comment, best wishes and a smile.

.

 

[Frogmogman]

Same here, the last time I visited there was only a couple of pontoons, now totally revamped and expanded. The toilet facilities are totally rubbish, a big comedown after St Cast.

To be fair, the toilet facilities at St Malo are a temporary solution (portacabins) whilst a new capitainerie is being built.

There are not many places on that bit of coast with sanitary installations as excellent as St Cast. The ones at Lezardrieux are probably the best. I’m sure the new ones at Saint Malo and at Saint Quay will be excellent once they are built.

 

[Barton Seagoon]

When we went to Saint Malo in June, we arrived too late for the lock, so we had to go to Les Sablons, just next door. We were disappointed because we wanted to see the old city, and thought Les Sablons must be a second-class option. We actually found Les Sablons Marina to be lovely, and the nearby village centre the same. Worth a try!

 

[Boathook]

When we went to Saint Malo in June, we arrived too late for the lock, so we had to go to Les Sablons, just next door. We were disappointed because we wanted to see the old city, and thought Les Sablons must be a second-class option. We actually found Les Sablons Marina to be lovely, and the nearby village centre the same. Worth a try!

Doesn't take long to walk to the old city. I do like les sablons marina and the nearby town / village.

 

[johnalison]

When we went to Saint Malo in June, we arrived too late for the lock, so we had to go to Les Sablons, just next door. We were disappointed because we wanted to see the old city, and thought Les Sablons must be a second-class option. We actually found Les Sablons Marina to be lovely, and the nearby village centre the same. Worth a try!

You say village, but is that the old city? I’m relying on ancient memory of staying in the marina once. I think the walk to the main town was manageable but a bit tiresome. The old city on the peninsular was worth seeing. I believe that there are many kilometres of tunnel there and I think much is unexplored or at least not visited. My chief memory is of the steel cupolas from the German batteries and the marks from US shells from what must have been a heck of a battle.

 

[ashtead]

If you are of shorter length Les sablons is good particularly if you can manage to take a non visitor berth inside as opposed to the bouncing visitor pontoons -that said if there is space the showers and chandlery are very good and the Tower and local restaurants were good -Bulot I seem to recall was recommended by an old salt in his guide - as said the walk isn’t far but being inside the lock on a pontoon nowadays is more restful provided you shower on board as said. I have always found the marina staff at st Malo helpful plus if exploring further car hire is easy for visiting st michel or the supermarkets plus you can ask to park in marina spaces as a visitor. I cannot say how stamping works now but last time our crew who had arrived by ferry stamped out by standing in the car que to gain an exit stamp.

 

[Skysail]

You say village, but is that the old city? I’m relying on ancient memory of staying in the marina once. I think the walk to the main town was manageable but a bit tiresome. The old city on the peninsular was worth seeing. I believe that there are many kilometres of tunnel there and I think much is unexplored or at least not visited. My chief memory is of the steel cupolas from the German batteries and the marks from US shells from what must have been a heck of a battle.

Think he is referring to St Servan further to the west of Les Sablons. We had a superb meal at l’Atre oh the quayside there.

 

[st599]

The Cap Horniers museum in St Servan is worth a visit.

The old town is worth a wander (with the proviso that most of it was built in the '50s)