Saint-Malo, France

Walled and built with the same grey granite stone as Mont St-Michel, ST-MALO was originally a fortified island at the mouth of the Rance, controlling not only the estuary but the open sea beyond. Now inseparably attached to the mainland, it's the most visited place in Brittany – thanks more to its superb old citadelle than to the ferry terminal that's tucked into the harbour behind. Intra-muros ("within the walls") is a busy, lively and very characterful town, packed with restaurants, bars and shops. Yes, the summer crowds can be oppressive, but even then a stroll atop the ramparts should restore your equilibrium, and vast, clean beaches beyond the walls are a huge bonus if you're travelling with kids in tow.