Are you looking for ideas for easy walks around Saint-Malo with children? Between Cancale, Dinard, Cap Fréhel and Dinan, the area offers magnificent coastal paths suitable for families. Here are our 7 favourite walks, tried and tested with our children during four days on Brittany’s Emerald Coast. Starting from Saint-Malo, we explored the coast in beautiful sunshine! The famous customs officers’ path, the GR34, introduced us to stunning landscapes and beaches. The Emerald Coast takes its name from the colour of the sea along this section of the Breton coastline—and emerald really is the colour of the day! We walked:
- from Saint-Malo to Cap Fréhel (the western part of the Emerald Coast), plus Cap d’Erquy
- from Saint-Malo to Cancale (the eastern part of the Emerald Coast)
Come along with us on these 7 family walks along the Emerald Coast!
Saint-Malo
Day 1, morning
We arrived in Saint-Malo by boat from England in glorious mid-July sunshine. We know the “Corsair City” very well, having visited several times before. This time, we chose a walk combining a circuit of the ramparts with the walk to Grand Bé. In Saint-Malo, you immediately understand why the Emerald Coast is so aptly named:
The ramparts and Grand Bé in Saint-Malo: walk 1
The ramparts circuit is approximately 2 km, plus around 1 km for the loop to Grand Bé (about 1 hour 20 minutes in total)
Starting from Porte Saint-Thomas, we walked anticlockwise along the ramparts. At the beginning of the walk, there are views of Fort National:
We then continued along the ramparts, with sea views all the way to Porte de Dinan.
To complete the full circuit of the ramparts, you can continue towards Porte Saint-Vincent. Instead, we chose to cross the old town:
We reached Bon-Secours beach at low tide so that we could walk across to Grand Bé. Chateaubriand’s tomb stands at the northern tip of the island—not a bad spot!
View of Petit Bé from Grand Bé:
Our favourite places in Saint-Malo
Le Tournesol crêperie: we had lunch here and it was excellent!
La Java café, also known as Café du coin d’en bas de la rue du bout de la ville d’en face du port: a lovely place for an evening drink in Saint-Malo. The children liked the swings and the décor!
Where to stay in Saint-Malo
- Bed and breakfast: Malouinière Guillaume Onfroy has beautiful rooms for two or four people. The décor is superb and the architecture is typical of the area! Breakfast is included.
- Camping: we enjoyed our night at La Ferme La Vignette campsite in Saint-Coulomb, between Saint-Malo and Cancale.
Around Dinard
Day 1, afternoon
Between Saint-Lunaire and Dinard: walk 2
5 km return (2 hours), from Fosse aux Vaults beach to the Roche Pelée cove—park at Fosse aux Vaults beach
We followed the customs officers’ path (GR34) west of Dinard, starting from Fosse aux Vaults beach and passing Fourberie beach and Port-Blanc beach before reaching the Roche Pelée cove, where we turned back.
After walking back, we went for a swim at Fosse aux Vaults: a fantastic spot and a beach we recommend! I should point out that the water was only 18°C, but as we live in England, that suits us just fine!
We ran out of time, but we also recommend stopping in the lovely seaside town of Dinard.
Our favourite places in Lancieux
- La Cabane Kalypso: delicious seafood, which we enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the sea, on Lancieux beach. An idyllic setting!
- Les Mielles municipal campsite in Lancieux.
The two capes
Day 2
From Cap Fréhel to Fort La Latte: walk 3
5 km (1 hour 15 minutes) each way, so 10 km (2 hours 30 minutes) return—paid parking at Cap Fréhel
We started at Cap Fréhel. I love places like this! It feels like the end of the world. Cap Fréhel is fringed by pink sandstone cliffs. We then followed the GR34 to Fort La Latte. The views are superb all the way! It really is an unmissable walk.
Here is Fort La Latte and its medieval castle, Château de la Roche Goyon. Its pink sandstone exterior is full of charm. We did not visit the inside, but it is open to visitors; check its official website for current opening dates and times.
Cap d’Erquy: walk 4
7.5 km—a 2-hour 30-minute walk around the cape. Park in the centre of Erquy near the beach.
We walked around Cap d’Erquy, starting at the beach and then passing the Lacs Bleus. Along the way, there are views of Erquy harbour. The colour of the sea is incredible and every cove looks idyllic! Another favourite! We walked to the tip of the cape before heading to Lourtuais beach, where my Ticoeur and I went swimming. The water was crystal-clear and admittedly a little chilly at 18°C, but it was so beautiful! How could we resist? We completed the loop inland.
According to some definitions, the Emerald Coast ends at Cap Fréhel, although it is sometimes said to continue as far as Erquy—what do the locals think? In any case, both capes form part of the same geographical area, the Grand Site de France Cap d’Erquy–Cap Fréhel. I can tell you that the sea at Erquy was definitely emerald too 🙂
Cap d’Erquy is a 30-minute drive from Cap Fréhel.
A tasty stop in Erquy
Ty Papo: fantastic artisan ice cream! We loved the mango and cranberry flavours, but they all looked delicious!
We returned to Saint-Malo for the evening and the night.
Cancale
Day 3
Cancale lies at the eastern end of the Emerald Coast. It is nicknamed “the pearl of the Emerald Coast”, and we can confirm that it is a beautiful place to stop! The bay is superb, Cancale itself is a very pretty fishing village, and its famous oysters are delicious. It is a shame our children do not like them—perhaps one day!
From Cancale to Pointe du Grouin: walk 5
A 2-hour return walk (7 km) from Port Picain beach—rugged path. For a longer version starting in Cancale: approximately 11 km (3 hours)
After eating a few oysters on Port Picain beach, we set off on this magnificent walk towards Pointe du Grouin. The scenery is wild, and once again the walk is perfect for families. We loved it! At the headland, volunteers were there to tell us about the dolphins found in the area. Unfortunately, we did not see any, but it is theoretically possible!
And far, far away, you can see Mont-Saint-Michel! Can you spot it?
Anse du Guesclin: walk 6
2 hours return from Pointe du Nid to Pointe des Grands Nez. You can turn back earlier to shorten the walk.
We walked from Pointe du Nid to Anse du Guesclin and its beautiful fine-sand beach. From there, you can see Île du Guesclin and its fort, which can be reached at low tide.
Our catamaran outing in Cancale Bay
We continued exploring Cancale Bay with a catamaran outing. We hired a Hobie Cat T1 for the four of us for one hour from Port-Mer beach (Centre Nautique Cancale). Since moving to England, we have often gone sailing and we love it! In England, there are almost exclusively monohull dinghies, so we wanted to try catamaran sailing. It was great fun too—and practical for four people to sit together!
Our favourite places to eat in and around Cancale
- L’Atelier de l’Huître: one of the many small restaurants around Cancale harbour. They all look quite similar, but we enjoyed this one!
- La Docena: a seaside hut on Port Picain beach, which is beautiful! A fantastic place for oysters—or sausage galettes for the children—before the walk to Pointe du Grouin.
Where to stay in Cancale
- Camping: we stayed in our campervan at Pointe du Grouin municipal campsite.
- Holiday home: this house in the heart of Cancale has three bedrooms and is only 300 metres from the sea. Weekly rentals are available.
Dinan
Day 4
We left the coast for a while to visit Dinan, a few kilometres inland on the River Rance. It is a beautiful town with distinctive half-timbered buildings.
Where to stay in Dinan
Character accommodation: Hôtel Le D’Avaugour, with a garden and terrace. Its family suite has one double bed and two single beds.
Along the River Rance: walk 7
Approximately 5 km return (around 1 hour)—very easy and completely flat
After our walk around Dinan, we drove for 20 minutes towards Dinard and stopped at La Richardais for a lovely walk along the River Rance. We walked as far as Pointe de Cancaval, passing the mill:
Just nearby, we finished the day with dinner at La Maison restaurant in Pleurtuit: very good, with a bistro style.
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How to get to the Emerald Coast
- From Paris, Saint-Malo is 420 km by car (approximately 4 hours).
- We travelled by ferry from England on the overnight Portsmouth to Saint-Malo route with Brittany Ferries. We took our campervan with us.
- Why not combine a visit to the Emerald Coast with a road trip in England? Discover my 7-day itinerary from Portsmouth.
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Finally, as we left the Emerald Coast towards Paris, we stopped to admire Mont-Saint-Michel, which is only 50 km from Cancale!
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So, are you tempted by these family walks along the Emerald Coast?
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