Hotel Mercure St Malo Front de Mer 4*

Opposite the Grand Sillon beach, you're certainly close to the action at the Mercure Front de Mer and in a few minutes you could be inside the old walled city, mulling over a menu in one of the many fine eateries. Or if you're keen to sacrifice the 'pommes frites' for chips of a more serious nature, you have an even shorter stroll to the casino. Alternatively, you can just stay put and relax in the sauna followed by an aperitif in the friendly bar overlooking the sea. Pets not accepted.

Foot passengers - the hotel is approximately 2km from the ferry terminal and taxis are available. Alternatively, you can catch the mini bus/shuttle which runs every 20 minutes - does not run on Sundays - and will drop you outside Intra Muros. From there the hotel is about a 15 minute walk.

With its long maritime tradition and historic attractions, St Malo is one of France's great tourist centres and ideal for a break at any time of the year. Particularly popular is Intra Muros (within the walls) where strolling through the maze of cobbled streets with their tall granite buildings, lively bars, restaurants, and stylish boutiques feels like stepping back in time. You can take a bracing walk around the ancient ramparts admiring the fabulous views or take a ride on the little road train and discover places you might have otherwise missed. For a day at the seaside you need venture no further as the local beaches are superb and opposite the old town there are 2 or 3 little offshore islands and forts that can be reached on foot at low tide, one of which is Grand Bé where the writer Chateaubriand is buried. Even if you don't want to spend the day relaxing on the beach there are still plenty of things to see and do for all the family including the grand aquarium, the thalassotherapy centre, the casino and the Fort National to name a few. One thing is for sure though, once you've visited St Malo it's almost certaIn that you'll want to return.