Grand Gate

Here is the oldest fortified gate of Saint-Malo! Try to imagine that, at that time, people would arrive at this gate by boat! There is a defensive tower with machicolations on either side. Inside of the gate, you will see a niche housing a “Madonna and Child”, also nicknamed “Virgin of Miracles”. It represents Virgin Mary with her child Jesus, according to legend, she stopped the Great Fire of 1661. A crew on its way to the Indies found her, floating mysteriously in a wooden crate. The sailors hoisted her up, and the captain promised he would keep her safe and dry in his lovely city of Saint Malo. After being brought back to land from this rough sea, she still stands on top of the Great Gate, protecting the city. Since then, Saint Malo has been the target of many attacks, mostly from the English, but they were all unsuccessful! Who do we thank? The original statue is in the Saint-Malo Cathedral.