Étoile du Roy, Saint-Malo

Museum in Saint-Malo

Etoile du Roy
Etoile du Roy
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ibex73

Moored at Quai Duguay-Trouin, right by the waterline and within easy reach of the ramparts, Étoile du Roy is a full-size replica of an 18th-century corsair frigate that you can explore from deck to hold. The ship is visually impressive before you even step aboard, with three masts, a broad hull, and cannons lined along the sides, but the real draw is how quickly it pulls you into Saint-Malo's privateer story once you start moving through its cramped corridors and working spaces. It's one of the things to do in Saint-Malo when you want something more tactile than viewpoints and museums.

Because it sits so close to the old town, it also fits neatly into a walking tour of Saint-Malo, especially if you like breaking up stone-and-street sightseeing with a visit that feels hands-on. You can walk the decks, look out over the harbour, and then head straight back into Intra-Muros for ramparts views or a café stop, all without planning your day around transport.

History and Significance of the Étoile du Roy

Although the ship is a modern build, its purpose is to recreate the world Saint-Malo is famous for: corsairs, maritime trade, and the high-stakes privateering culture that shaped the city's identity. As a replica of a 1745 corsair frigate, it gives you a physical sense of scale and design that's hard to capture in text alone, from the disciplined layout of the decks to the way the ship's structure prioritises speed, firepower, and endurance at sea.

Its significance in Saint-Malo is also about place. Seeing the ship in the harbour, with the ramparts and port infrastructure around it, helps connect the romantic idea of privateers to the practical reality of a working seafaring city. It's less about “one ship” and more about a living visual cue that Saint-Malo's history was built on navigation, risk, and the constant pull between commerce and conflict.

Things to See and Do in the Étoile du Roy

Start on the main deck and take your time with the details that set the mood: rigging overhead, cannon lines, and the sheer height of the masts when you look up from the quay. From there, the best way to experience the ship is simply to follow the route through its spaces and imagine the daily routine-where sailors slept, how supplies were stored, and what it meant to operate in tight conditions for weeks at sea.

The lower decks are often the most memorable because they shift the visit from scenic to visceral. You feel the narrowness, the low ceilings, and the practical logic behind every square metre, which is exactly what makes the ship such a strong “history made physical” experience. If you enjoy photography, you’ll find plenty of dramatic angles from the quay as well, especially when the light catches the hull and the masts form a strong silhouette against the sky.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Étoile du Roy

  • Entrance fee: Adults: €7
  • Opening hours: Daily: 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:30.
  • Official website: https://www.etoile-marine.com/visite-etoile-du-roy/
  • Best time to visit: Arrive early in a time slot to explore the decks with more breathing room, or go later in the day when the harbour light is at its most atmospheric.
  • How long to spend: 30-60 minutes is usually ideal, giving you enough time to move slowly through the decks without rushing.
  • Accessibility: Expect steps, tight passages, and uneven transitions between levels, which can be challenging for visitors with limited mobility.
  • Facilities: Plan cafés, toilets, and longer breaks around the harbour and Intra-Muros area nearby, as the ship visit itself is focused on exploring rather than lingering.

Where to Stay Close to the Étoile du Roy

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself Intra-Muros so the ramparts, cathedral, and harbourfront are all walkable; if your trip prioritises beach time and promenade walks, staying along Le Sillon gives you sea views while still keeping the ship an easy walk away. La Maison des Armateurs is a strong option if you want a classic old-town stay with quick access to the quays and evening atmosphere. Hôtel des Marins is a practical, well-located base for early starts and easy returns between stops. If you prefer a seafront feel with a straightforward walk into Intra-Muros and the harbour, Hôtel Le Nouveau Monde balances comfort, views, and location.

Is the Étoile du Roy Worth Visiting?

Yes, because it turns Saint-Malo’s privateer identity into something you can physically experience rather than just read about. The atmosphere on board, the harbour setting, and the close-up look at ship design make it feel distinct from the ramparts walk, even though the two pair perfectly in one day.

It’s especially worthwhile if you like attractions that are easy to fit in but still memorable. You can visit without losing half a day, yet you’ll come away with a clearer sense of what life at sea might have felt like in the age of corsairs.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.2 (177)

L’Étoile du Roy, moored on Quai Duguay-Trouin in Saint‑Malo, is a meticulously kept replica corsair frigate you can board to explore several decks including the captain’s cabin, crew quarters, galley and cannons; visitors praise the immersive, educational atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable crew who bring maritime life to life, making it a fun outing for families and teens, though some find the vessel compact with limited open space and warn of a midday closure that can affect visit plans.

Nana Oganesyan
a month ago
"Interesting visit aboard the Étoile du Roy - a replica of an 18th-century corsair frigate. You can walk through several decks, see the captain’scabin, crew quarters, ca ons, and the galley. Everything is well-preserved and gives a real sense of life at sea in that time. ⚓️..."
Snor Emans (Tom)
3 months ago
"Ship closes for an hour between 13:00-14:00. Went to visit at 11:30 and got rudely told that we couldn't enter because she was on break, even thoughthere where other visitors walking around. The ticket expense wasn't worth it after that, so we chose visit something else...."
Sven H.
5 months ago
"The visit of L’Etoile du Roy was an extraordinary experience, not only exciting but also incredibly educational. The ship's historic atmosphere,paired with detailed insights into maritime life and seafaring made the stay (round about 1h) truly special. The "crew" (espacially Jorge, Marie and Emerick - many thanks to the warm welcome abord and the kind words to the three of you) was friendly and knowledgeable, and it's clear how much dedication goes into preserving and presenting this floating piece of history. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts, families, or anyone wanting to immerse themselves in another era!..."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, Étoile du Roy is engaging because it feels like an adventure set rather than a conventional museum. Children tend to enjoy the physicality of moving through decks and looking at cannons and rigging, while adults get the historical context and harbour views.

The key is pacing: keep it playful, let curiosity lead, and aim for a visit when it’s not at its busiest so everyone can move comfortably. Pairing it with a short ramparts section afterwards often works well, because it gives kids a different kind of “exploration” without adding extra travel time.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the ship is a fun change of rhythm within Saint-Malo’s otherwise stone-and-sea aesthetic. The harbour setting adds a cinematic quality, especially in softer afternoon light, and the visit naturally prompts conversation about the city’s maritime past.

It also works as a compact shared experience you can slot between a long lunch and an evening ramparts stroll. If you like travel days that mix atmosphere with something slightly unusual, this is an easy win.

Budget Travelers

This is a good value stop if you’re being selective about paid attractions, because it’s compact, distinctive, and sits right where you’re likely to be walking anyway. You can combine it with free highlights like the ramparts and harbour views to build a full, satisfying day without constant spending.

If you’re watching costs, consider visiting as your main ticketed activity and then lean into self-guided walking for the rest. The ship pairs naturally with free harbour viewpoints, street wandering, and sunset wall walks.

History Buffs

For history buffs, the appeal is how effectively the ship communicates function through form. Even as a replica, it helps you understand why privateers needed speed, firepower, and disciplined organisation, and how those requirements shaped shipboard life.

To get the most from it, treat the visit like an exercise in observation: look for how spaces are arranged, how movement is controlled, and how the ship would have supported long periods at sea. It’s a practical complement to Saint-Malo’s fortifications, which tell the same story from the landward side.

FAQs for Visiting the Étoile du Roy

Getting There

It’s moored at Quai Duguay-Trouin in the harbour area, close to the Intra-Muros ramparts and easy to reach on foot from the old town.
Head toward the harbourfront exits of Intra-Muros and follow the quayside until you see the masts and hull alongside the quay.
Take a local bus or taxi to the Intra-Muros/harbour area, then finish on foot along the quay to the ship.
Parking is usually easier outside the busiest old-town streets, then you walk to the harbour. Driving can be convenient if you’re visiting multiple stops in one day, but the final approach is best on foot.

Tickets & Entry

For most visitors, buying on arrival is straightforward, but it’s smart to plan for busier periods in school holidays and summer weekends.
You’ll explore multiple areas of the ship, including key decks and onboard spaces, with context that helps explain privateer life and seafaring routines.
Yes, the ship is impressive from the quay, and the harbour setting makes it a strong photo stop even without an interior visit.

Visiting Experience

Thirty minutes is enough to get the feel of the decks and the atmosphere without rushing.
Yes, because it’s central and quick to fit between ramparts time and old-town exploring.
You can still visit, but wind and rain make the decks less comfortable. On rough days, treat it as a shorter, more focused stop.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It often appears in harbour-focused routes because it sits right where most visitors naturally walk when exploring the quays and nearby ramparts.
Independent visiting works well because you can move at your own pace and focus on what interests you most. A guided format is most useful if you want deeper storytelling about privateers and ship life.

Photography

Yes, especially from the quay where you can frame the masts against the sky and capture harbour reflections around the hull.
Late afternoon often gives the most flattering light, while earlier times can be calmer if you want fewer people in the background.

Accessibility & Comfort

It can be challenging because ships involve steps, tight passages, and uneven transitions between levels.
Strollers are usually awkward on board due to stairs and narrow spaces, so it’s easier with a carrier or a plan to take turns exploring.

Nearby Attractions to the Étoile du Roy

  • Saint-Malo Ramparts: The essential wall walk for panoramic views over the harbour, beaches, and offshore forts.
  • Tour Bidouane: A dramatic artillery tower on the ramparts with some of the best sea-facing viewpoints in the old town.
  • Fort National: The iconic Vauban fort on a tidal islet just offshore, adding depth to Saint-Malo's defensive story.
  • Saint-Vincent Cathedral: A calm historic interior that contrasts nicely with the energy of the harbourfront.
  • Intra-Muros Streets and Squares: The walled city lanes for cafés, shops, and that distinctive Saint-Malo atmosphere between granite walls.

The Étoile du Roy appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Saint-Malo!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Daily: 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:30.

Price:

Adults: €7

Address: L’Étoile du Roy, Quai Duguay-Trouin, Saint-Malo, France
Saint-Malo: 0 km
Official Website

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