Fort National

"With ten guns on each side, booming, full sail ... Twenty dams have done in spite of English and have surrendered their banners hundred nations at my feet". This famous poem might have been the corsair city emblem par excellence: Saint Malo. Although the letter of marque had been granted by the French State with many ships to attack enemy ships with justification, the corsairs of Saint Malo were given, in neutral situations, were given the license to loot and they become the biggest predators of the Canal de la Mancha. Fort National was witness to many of these episodes though it was built with the intention of defending the city from invasion from the mainland.

Classified as a historic monument, this seventeenth century fort is located opposite the beach of Saint Malo. It was built by the engineer Garangeau and designed by the military architect Vauban by the orders of King Louis XIV to defend the city from attacks. There´s a guided tour available in different languages ​​(during high season only). It´s only accessible at low tide but there´s a beautiful view of the bay, the historic wall and the entire city of Saint Malo. The fort is currently privately owned and is forbidden to enter without a guide. It´s additionally available for rent for celebrations,