After walking along the ramparts and greeting the guardian figures of Saint-Malo, we leave the walls of the walled city. Before us, a vast esplanade bathed in light opens up, where the sound of the sea mingles with the conversations of passersby. The noble gray stone of the walls contrasts with the colorful bustle of the crowds coming and going, including walkers, cyclists, and families on a jaunt.

Facing us, the Saint-Vincent Gate stands like a monumental arch, guardian of centuries past. This is how we enter the corsair city, and this is also how we leave it, our gaze still imbued with its glorious past. To its right rises the Tour des Moulins, a massive and proud silhouette, once a defensive element integrated into the fortification system. Its squat mass seems to watch over the incessant comings and goings, like a final stone salute to visitors before they plunge back into the modern world.

In this large square, swept by the sea breeze, one can almost feel the breath of the caravels of yesteryear setting sail from the neighboring quays, carrying with them dreams of faraway lands and echoes of maritime adventures.

Historical Note — Tour des Moulins

• Construction: Late 15th century, integrated into the fortifications of the walled city of Saint-Malo
• Initial Function: Watchtower and defense tower, armed with cannons to protect the northeast entrance to the city
• Origin of its Name: Windmills were installed in the immediate vicinity in the 17th century, hence its name
• Developments: It was reinforced over the centuries during the successive modernizations of the Saint-Malo bastion system
• Special Feature: A perfect example of the transition between medieval architecture and modern fortification principles

Historical Note — Porte Saint-Vincent

• Construction: Built in 1709, under the leadership of the military engineer Siméon Garangeau, a disciple of Vauban
• Strategic Role: Having become the main entrance to the walled city, it replaces the oldest gate in Dinan
• Architecture: Comprising a monumental triple arcade flanked by bastions, Adorned with a royal coat of arms and inscriptions
• Named in honor of: Saint Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of Saint-Malo Cathedral
• Special Feature: It opens onto the large Place Saint-Vincent, the beating heart of the corsair city, a gathering place and market place