Tour Bidouane, Saint-Malo

Tower in Saint-Malo

Rempart St Malo cote mer Tour Bidouane
Rempart St Malo cote mer Tour Bidouane
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Pline

Tour Bidouane is the hefty, horseshoe-shaped artillery tower you reach while walking the Saint-Malo ramparts, right where the walls start to feel wilder and more exposed to the sea. It sits on the Intra-Muros edge facing the Grand Bé and Petit Bé, and the climb up to its platform is short but memorable, with the wind and salt air doing their best to remind you this city has always lived by the tides. As viewpoints go, it's hard to beat, and for many visitors it becomes one of the top sights in Saint-Malo without even trying.

Because it's woven into the ramparts walk, Tour Bidouane also fits neatly into a walking tour of Saint-Malo: you can fold it into a loop that mixes cannons, beaches, rooftops, and sudden panoramic moments. Come here when you want that classic “stone walls meeting open water” feeling, plus a quick hit of military architecture that still makes sense on the landscape.

History and Significance of the Tour Bidouane

Tour Bidouane dates to the 15th century, built as a serious piece of coastal defense rather than a decorative tower, and its distinctive curved, horseshoe plan was designed for artillery-era threats. It later became associated with Saint-Malo's gunpowder story, serving as a powder magazine for long stretches of its working life, which tells you a lot about how strategically the city treated its walls and storage sites.

Its setting also drops you straight into Saint-Malo's bigger narrative: a fortified port constantly balancing commerce, privateering legend, and the very real risk of attack from the sea. Standing here, it's easy to imagine why the late-17th-century conflict period felt so tense for coastal towns-Saint-Malo was targeted dramatically in 1693 with the infamous “infernal machine” raid attempt, part of the long contest for control of the Channel approaches.

Things to See and Do in the Tour Bidouane

Start with the obvious: climb up for the panorama. From the upper platform, you get a sweeping read of the coastline-tidal islets, the line of beaches, and the way the ramparts wrap the old city like a stone ship. On a clear day, it’s the kind of place where you’ll keep turning in slow circles because every angle looks like a postcard, from cathedral spires behind you to open water ahead.

Then take a moment to notice the tower itself. The thickness of the masonry and the compact openings make more sense when you remember this wasn't meant for comfort; it was meant to endure. If you're walking the full ramparts loop, Tour Bidouane is also a natural pacing point-pause here, let the crowds flow, then continue on toward nearby bastions and viewpoints for a changing sequence of sea, rooftops, and harbor life.

How to Get to the Tour Bidouane

Tour Bidouane is inside Saint-Malo's walled old town (Intra-Muros), and you reach it from the ramparts walkway rather than from a street-level entrance, so it helps to aim first for the ramparts access points and then follow the wall-top circuit.

The closest airports are Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo Airport for the quickest transfers, and Rennes-Saint-Jacques Airport for more routes and onward connections. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Saint-Malo on Booking.com. From either airport, continue by taxi, shuttle/bus where available, or a combination of regional transport into Saint-Malo, then walk into Intra-Muros.

Saint-Malo station has direct and connecting services (including fast routes via Rennes), and from the station you can walk or take a short local bus/taxi hop to the Intra-Muros gates before heading up to the ramparts.You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place. Once you enter the old town, follow signs for the ramparts or aim for well-known access points like Porte Saint-Vincent, then keep to the wall-top path until you reach the tower.

If you’re driving, the simplest approach is to park outside the walls in one of the main paid car parks near the Intra-Muros entrances and finish on foot, since the historic core is tight and traffic can be slow in peak season.If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Tour Bidouane

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: Open access (24/7), via the Saint-Malo ramparts
  • Official website: https://www.saint-malo.fr/mes_contacts/tour-bidouane/
  • Best time to visit: Early morning for softer light and fewer people, or late afternoon when the sea views get more dramatic as the sun drops.
  • How long to spend: Plan 10-20 minutes if you’re moving steadily, or longer if you want a relaxed photo stop and time to watch the tides.
  • Accessibility: Expect stairs and uneven stone surfaces; it’s best approached as part of a ramparts walk rather than an accessible viewpoint.
  • Facilities: There are no dedicated facilities in the tower itself, so use cafés and restrooms inside Intra-Muros before you start your ramparts circuit.

Where to Stay Close to the Tour Bidouane

For a culture-heavy itinerary where you want to step out straight onto the ramparts and main sights, base yourself Intra-Muros; if your trip focus is beach time and a quieter seafront feel, look toward the Sillon area instead and walk in when you want the old town.

Staying Intra-Muros makes Tour Bidouane feel like an easy “whenever the light looks good” stop, and it keeps evenings simple because you can wander back through the historic lanes after dinner. A reliable, classic choice in the heart of the walled city is Hôtel La Maison des Armateurs, well-placed for ramparts loops and quick dips into the old town streets. If you prefer something smaller and calm on a quiet lane, Hôtel Le Nautilus is a handy base for early starts before the crowds arrive. For another Intra-Muros option with an intimate feel close to the walls, consider Hôtel des Abers.

Is the Tour Bidouane Worth Visiting?

Yes-especially if you're already doing the ramparts, because it delivers one of the best “sea-and-stone” viewpoints with almost no extra effort. Even if you're short on time, it's a high-reward stop: a quick climb, a big panorama, and a strong sense of why Saint-Malo was built to face the water as much as it was to live beside it.

If you're not planning to walk the ramparts at all, Tour Bidouane alone may feel too brief to justify a special trip, but it becomes genuinely memorable when paired with a full wall-top circuit and a tide-timed detour to nearby islets.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

If your kids like “real castle walls” energy, Tour Bidouane is a fun mini-objective on the ramparts: climb up, spot islands, count cannons, and keep moving before attention drifts. Aim for calmer times of day so you're not negotiating tight spots in crowds, and treat the tower as one highlight among several short stops.

Bring a simple plan: one loop section, one viewpoint, one snack break back inside Intra-Muros. That rhythm keeps it enjoyable, especially with younger children who may find long stretches of wall-walking repetitive.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

This is a strong sunset-adjacent stop, even if you’re not catching the full sunset-late-day light on the water makes the views feel cinematic. Use it as a pause on a slow ramparts loop, then drift back into the lanes for a drink or a cozy dinner.

If you want a quieter moment, go early and treat it like a private opening scene to your day: brisk sea air, empty walls, and the feeling of having Saint-Malo to yourselves for a short while.

Budget Travelers

Tour Bidouane is ideal for budget-friendly sightseeing because it's a high-impact view that slots into a free ramparts walk. Build a low-cost afternoon around it: ramparts loop, a beach stroll below, and a picnic-style snack from a bakery or market inside the walls.

To stretch value, time your visit with changing tides and weather-Saint-Malo looks completely different under sun, mist, and wind, and you can “see” a lot without paying for a formal attraction.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (258)

Bidouane Tower in Saint-Malo sits at the leading edge of the walled city on a rocky promontory and is a striking viewpoint for walks along the ramparts; visitors praise its scenic outlook at high and low tide, report lively activity on the nearby promenade and beaches, and recall memorable moments such as a pianist playing under the open sky, while historical notes in reviews mention its role as a major fortified tower and its substantial dimensions.

k m
2 years ago
"I think this is the most scenic place and a must when in St Malo. When I was there, the pianist was playing under the clear sky and it waswonderfully moving and elemental...."
Natalie Daz
4 years ago
"It was against this tower that the Anglo-Dutch tried to operate an "infernal machine" in 1663, which consisted of a ship full of explosives that wassent near the tower to explode it. It is one of the main fortified towers of the walls. It is 23 meters high and 13 meters wide, and was part of the desire to make of Saint-Malo an important fortress. It was built on a rocky promontory during the second half of the 15th century. It takes its present name in 1691, when it was rebuilt...."
Rony Honein
3 years ago
"The most forward point of walled city. Wonderful. Try it at high tide and low tide 😂"

FAQs for Visiting Tour Bidouane

Getting There

It’s built into the ramparts of the Intra-Muros (walled old town), facing out toward the tidal islets. The easiest way to reach it is to get onto the ramparts walkway and follow the circuit until you arrive at the tower.
Head to a main ramparts access point in Intra-Muros and climb up to the wall-top path. Once you’re on the ramparts, keep following the sea-facing section and you’ll reach Tour Bidouane naturally as part of the loop.
From the station, travel to the Intra-Muros entrance on foot or by a short local ride, then enter the walled city. After that, aim for the ramparts stairs and follow the wall-top circuit to the tower.
Driving can be practical for reaching Saint-Malo, but parking is easiest outside the walls and you’ll finish on foot. For this specific stop, it’s most enjoyable as part of an Intra-Muros walk rather than a drive-up sight.

Tickets & Entry

It’s an open-air ramparts feature, so most visitors experience it as part of walking the walls. If exhibitions are running inside at certain times, entry rules can differ, so check locally if that’s your main goal.
No advance booking is typically needed for a simple viewpoint stop on the ramparts. If you’re visiting during an organized event or exhibition period, it’s worth confirming any special arrangements on the day.
Because it’s part of the ramparts walk, access is generally flexible throughout the year. Temporary restrictions can happen for maintenance or events, so keep a light backup plan for your route.

Visiting Experience

A quick 10-minute stop is enough to climb up, take in the panorama, and continue your ramparts walk. If the light is great, you’ll likely want longer for photos and a breather.
Yes, because it’s a fast, high-impact viewpoint that pairs perfectly with a first-time Intra-Muros wander. It gives you the “why Saint-Malo is special” view in a single stop.
Link it with a ramparts section that includes a bastion viewpoint, then drop down to the beach below for a contrast in perspective. Finish back in the lanes of Intra-Muros for cafés, the cathedral area, or harbor-side views.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, it commonly appears on ramparts-focused itineraries because it’s a natural highlight on the wall-top circuit. Even without a guide, it’s easy to appreciate thanks to the clear defensive logic of the site.
Independent works well if you mainly want the view and the atmosphere. A guided approach adds value if you’re especially interested in fortifications, coastal warfare history, and the way Saint-Malo evolved as a fortified port.

Photography

Very-this is one of the best spots for wide coastal shots and classic ramparts scenes. You can capture sea, skyline, beaches, and the dramatic angles of the walls from a single platform.
Morning is great for cleaner compositions with fewer people, while late afternoon often brings richer light over the water. Windy days can look spectacular too, especially if you want waves and movement in your shots.

Accessibility & Facilities

Access involves stairs and uneven stone surfaces, so it can be challenging for limited mobility. Consider enjoying the ramparts atmosphere from more level viewpoints inside Intra-Muros if stairs are a concern.
Not directly at the tower itself, since it’s part of the ramparts. Use facilities in Intra-Muros before you start the walk, and plan a café break afterward.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Intra-Muros has plenty of options a few minutes’ walk from the ramparts exits, making it easy to sandwich sightseeing with a warm drink. For a simple plan, walk the walls first, then pick a spot in the central lanes once you’re back at street level.
Saint-Malo is excellent for snack-style grazing, from bakeries to crêpes you can carry as you stroll. Pair your ramparts loop with a sweet or savory crêpe afterward for an easy, local-feeling finish.

Safety & Timing

Intra-Muros is lively and pleasant in the evening, though the ramparts themselves can feel darker and windier after daylight. If you want a calmer experience, stick to daylight for the wall-top walk and save evenings for the streets below.
Early morning feels peaceful and almost private, which suits slow sightseeing. Later in the day adds buzz and dramatic light, which is ideal if you like energy and people-watching alongside the view.

Nearby Attractions to the Tour Bidouane

  • Saint-Malo Ramparts Walk: Continue the wall-top circuit for changing sea views, cannons, and rooftops as you loop the full Intra-Muros perimeter.
  • Bastion de la Hollande: A classic artillery viewpoint with wide bay panoramas and an easy place to pause for photos.
  • Grand Bé: A tidal islet walk with big views back toward the walls, accessible only at low tide for a true Saint-Malo experience.
  • Fort National: A Vauban-era fort on an offshore rock, best paired with tide timing and coastal views from the ramparts.
  • Saint-Vincent Cathedral: Step inside for a quieter counterpoint to the wind and salt air, right in the heart of Intra-Muros.

The Tour Bidouane 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:

Open access (24/7), via the Saint-Malo ramparts

Price:

Free

Address: Tour Bidouane, Passage de la Poudrière, Saint-Malo, France
Saint-Malo: 1 km
Official Website

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