Saint-Malo, France 🇫🇷
#1339
48.649518, -2.02604
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Saint-Malo is a historic walled port city in Brittany, known for its beautiful beaches and rich maritime history. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 50,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed of 50-100 Mbps in most areas. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; popular banks include Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable tap water available. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers like Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom offer prepaid SIM cards. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Revolut and N26; local banks require a French address for full services. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and local rental agencies are widely available, with options ranging from €40/night for hostels to €120/night for private apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in shops and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Vrbo, and local vacation rental agencies are common. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Saint Malo available starting at €25/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | L'Alchimiste, a modern coworking space with flexible plans. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de l'Ouest, offers Wi-Fi and a cozy atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups at L'Alchimiste; check their events calendar. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Saint-Malo Expats Group on Facebook organizes bi-monthly meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt is available for easy ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Brittany's bike rental services, like Velodyssey, offer rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Plage de Bon Secours, 10 minutes walk from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air France provides regional flights from nearby airports. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | EasyJet and Ryanair operate out of Rennes Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E401 and N176 highways provide major road access. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Saint-Malo train station connects to Rennes and other regional cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Single bus tickets start at €1.50; monthly passes are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (SNCF) and buses connect to nearby cities like Dinard and Rennes. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Malo, providing comprehensive care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga with Anne offers classes in the city center. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit located near the train station, offering reasonable memberships. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatique de Saint-Malo provides self-service laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats operates for numerous local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the galettes de sarrasin (buckwheat pancakes) at La Creperie du Port. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | L'Atelier des Saveurs offers vegetarian-friendly dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | La Maison du Chocolat for exquisite pastries and chocolates. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets at Cour des Ducs de Bretagne for fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local Francophone e-commerce sites available. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Carrefour offers online shopping and delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Intra-Muros district has bustling pubs for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie La Malouine, local craft beer brewed in Saint-Malo. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Verre à Soi offers a selection of local and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | La Voile Rouge is a popular spot in the summer for casual dining. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurant Le Café de la Plage serves Mediterranean dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Saint-Malo ramparts, Fort National, and Saint-Malo Cathedral. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée d'Histoire de la Ville is a notable historical museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Explore the walled city and its ancient architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Saint-Vincent Cathedral is a prominent place of worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | La Route du Rock music festival takes place every August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Intra-Muros is the historical district with cobblestone streets. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Théâtre Châteaubriand hosts regional performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Fresh produce and crafts are sold at Marché de Saint-Malo every Saturday. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at Le Café de L'Ouest and Le Grand Bleu. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals found in the Saint-Servan area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cook & Go offers local culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Martine Kandy is an independent local gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Visit Château de Saint-Malo for its rich history. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The corsair heritage is celebrated throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The stunning Îles Chausey is a short boat trip away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parc National de Port-Cros is a few hours drive from Saint-Malo. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The coastal path along the Côte d'Émeraude offers scenic views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoint at Fort La Latte provides stunning coastal vistas. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching in the marshes near the estuary at La Rance. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Popular beach areas allow for evening bonfires with local guidelines. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Colissimo and DHL provide reliable shipping options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Darty offers electronics repair services throughout the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have table tennis tables available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française offers French language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Médiathèque de Saint-Malo is a cozy place to read and study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centre Social Les Chênes offers various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Various cafés offer gaming nights and tournaments. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Barrière Saint-Malo offers gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €92,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Effective corporate tax rate is approximate 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | French tax system based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 5.8% for property transactions. |