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Unusual Guided Tour of Saint Malo
Step into 1944 Saint-Malo with a guided tour by a WWII soldier. Relive the liberation and resilience of this historic city.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Saint-Malo - You will visit Saint Malo intra-murros passing in particular at Porte Saint-Vincent, Place Chateaubriand, Rue du Pelicot, Northern Ramparts, Porte des Champs-Vauverts and its tobrouk up to the Passage de la Lancette.
- Le Grand Be - At low tide, we will reach the Grand Bé, where we will go around passing by the tomb of Chateaubriand
What's Included
- 2-hour guided tour of Saint Malo
- Small group experience
- Led by a costumed tour guide
Additional Information
Imagine yourself in 1944, five years after the outbreak of war. Joseph Guthrie, an American soldier from the 83rd Infantry Division who fought in the battles to liberate Saint-Malo, becomes your guide dressed in period costume. Stroll through the city’s streets to the Grand-Bé peninsula during an extraordinary 2-hour tour, reliving the summer of 1944, witnessing the liberation and subsequent destruction of Saint-Malo.
This experience provides a glimpse into pre-war Saint-Malo and unveils the impact of the occupation on the city, while showcasing the resilience of a community determined to rebuild.
Led by the personal recollections of Joseph Guthrie, this distinctive tour offers a moving historical perspective. Explore the harsh realities of Saint-Malo’s dark period during World War II, paying tribute to the bravery and resolve that shaped the city’s history.
- Available for adults and children above 8 years old
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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1 star
Roving150297
Sep 8, 2024
Choose St Malo 1944 - Exciting visit and to advise!
The Guide is remarkable and very competent about this historical period!
Congratulations to him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camper19662514215
Sep 1, 2024
New and exciting visit - “Under the Ashes Freedom”, a very enriching and original visit, we let ourselves be carried by the point of view of our Guide G.I. Very good complement after visiting the Lee Miller exhibition.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ptiteflo38
Aug 13, 2024
Hit the road with Jo, you won't be disappointed! - Jo is very well preserved for his age!😆
Very nice immersion in the heart of the liberation of St Malo. The visit passes extremely quickly, so immersed in history. This gives a new look at this beautiful city and a beautiful approach to this part of our history.
History buffs and those allergic to history will be satisfied.
Go on!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
284inar
Aug 4, 2024
Engaging Historical Tour - Very engaging and interesting tour with lots of historical details. It's a nice walk around St. Malo Old Town, with many stops along significant historical spots. The tour guide is very passionate and knowledgeable about the history of St. Malo, especially military details, during the second world war and shows many pictures, historical documents as well as army equipment.
The tour is in French, and it's two hours of walking over cobblestone streets, stairs and even the beach which requires some physical fitness, so be aware of that before booking! If you do speak French and especially if you are interested in military history, I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sergem560
Jul 21, 2024
Exciting guided tour - Jo is a true fake American military passionate and exciting inexhaustible on this key period in the history of St-Malo. We recommend this visit without hesitation. A big thank you to him for the passion put into exercise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bouhl2024
Jul 19, 2024
Private visit - A great discovery of Saint-Malo with Corentin alias "Jo". He knows how to stay in character throughout the visit with explanations adapted to everyone. We loved it! Thank you Corentin
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isabellemd4901cp
Jul 17, 2024
Great experience! - We had a very pleasant, interesting, original and enriching experience in terms of both human and historical knowledge.
Jo is an exciting and passionate Guide, in total interaction with his audience, knowing how to draw on the knowledge of his young audience. We have not seen the time pass, the documentary resources are numerous and well chosen. The route is varied, the themes numerous and well structured! Anecdotes and humor are very appreciated, Jo stays attentive to questions, he knows how to live his character. A Canadian soldier's perspective on the conflict is an original entry that we greatly appreciated. Bravo!!
Approach to encourage, visit to advise!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ciloug1972
Jun 10, 2024
To know and make known! If you pass through Saint-Malo and you like history, you are in for a treat! - Jo, our guide, is an American soldier who experienced the Breton coasts some time after the landing and the Battle of Les Haies in Normandy. He transports us to his time with anecdotes, testimonies and photos, all on the very places of his stories.
Our group of 17 people included 3 young people (10 to 15 years old). Jo managed to interest them by drawing a parallel with what they had learned in class.
With the before/afters between his time and ours, he showed us the repercussions of the actions of a few Americans during the war on our economy today.
Jo came in period clothing and in his US cow, he carried little treasures which he shared with us.
A must do if you are in Saint-Malo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jmandco
Jun 8, 2024
Very good visit I recommend! - Very good visit, our friendly guide was very knowledgeable about the events which took place during the Second World War with the liberation of the city as its apotheosis. Numerous period documents to illustrate the remarks and compare the Saint Malo of today and that before and after the destruction. The plans are a real plus for understanding the fall of the St Malo fortress. I recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Veronique
Jun 8, 2024
Rich, unusual and fascinating visit to the Corsair City, before, during and after the liberation. - Very high quality professional guidance.
Very involved, friendly and attentive guide.
Rich information on the Corsair City before and after its liberation in August 44.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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