While the main attraction of St Malo firmly remains its grandiose walled citadel, visitors are also drawn by several fine white sandy beaches and a cluster of rocky islands that can be reached on foot. St Malo has some of the best beaches not only in Brittany but across France. When the sun is beaming, there is no better place to be than a picture-perfect St Malo beach, where you can take a dip in the dazzling waters and admire the unbelievable views. With a selection of unique beaches to choose from we can assure you that there will be a beach that suits you or your family’s needs. It is a remarkable experience to bathe on one of the many St Malo beaches with hundreds of years of history as your backdrop.
We have done the hard work for you and selected some of the top beaches in & near St Malo for you to explore.
Good for: Families / History
This imposing fortress stands above a maze of subterranean walkways and chambers. Guided tours offer the best way to take it all in, the perfect opportunity to learn more about the rich history of this distinctive site. Swim in the crystal-clear waters with the remarkable historic monument in the background, an experience like no other. The Fort can be accessed during low tide by a pleasant walk across the sand and a short causeway. It is important to research tidal times before planning your visit as the difference between low and high tide is significant.
Location – Fort National, Saint Malo, France
Good for: Families / Couples / Swimming / Watersports / Surfing
Grand Plage is St.Malo’s largest beach, offering 3km of golden sand. This beach can be divided into separate sections. The first is Place du Sillon, this is the largest and most popular beach which backs onto Saint Malo. If you continue down the stretch, you will find the beach of Rochebonne and the beach of Hoguette which are within the town of Paramé. These are popular choices amongst visitors who choose to stay outside the walls of the city. The wind picks up along the Grande Plage offering good conditions for a variety of watersports. All the beaches are patrolled by lifeguards, there are also an assortment of restaurants and facilities close by.
Location – Grand Plage, Saint Malo, France.
Good for: Families / History
Petit Bé is a private tidal island outside the walls of Saint-Malo and is home to a 17th-century fort. The well-preserved Fort du Petit Bé, dating back to the reign of Louis XIV, was recently opened to visitors and contains cannons and an exhibition on tides. It is vital that you check the tide schedule before venturing out as you don’t want to get caught on the island. In high season you can take a guided tour of Fort of Le Petit Bé to learn more about its fascinating history. Beyond Grand Bé is the smaller island of Petit Bé which is still accessible by foot at low tide.
Location – Petit Bé Island, near Bon-Secours beach, Saint Malo, France
Good for: Families / History
Grande Bé is another tidal island located near St Malo and is situated at the mouth of the River Rance. The islet can be reached by foot but take care when visiting as it can only be reached by a path during low tide. The main reason tourists make the walk to Grand Bé is to see the resting place of St-Malo's famous son, the French politician and romantic writer, Chateaubriand. Once on the island you have the most phenomenal view facing towards the Emerald Coast and the walls of St Malo.
Location - Grande Bé Island, near Bon-Secours beach, Saint Malo, France.
Good for: Families / Swimming
An expansive seawater pool – Piscine de Bon Sécours – dominates this popular large beach. The pool is perfect for high tide swims and is even equipped with a diving board that is revealed during the lowering of the tide. The seawater pool was built in 1937 and has been extremely popular amongst locals and tourists ever since. The pool is safely enclosed and patrolled by a lifeguard making it ideal for families and those who do not like open waters. Take in the view of the bay of St Malo and enjoy a delicious crêpe at a nearby Creperie for the ultimate French experience.
Location - Plage De Bon Sécours, Saint-Malo, France
Good for: Families / Couples / History / Swimming / Dogs
Outside the northern walls of St-Malo is the Plage de l'Eventail which is the rockiest of the Old Town's three beaches. It links up with the Grande Plage at Fort National. It is sheltered by the walls and can be accessed by the Porte Saint-Thomas or the Sillon. The beach is popular amongst families and swimmers due to its large stretch of sand and impressive views. Plage De L’Eevntail is slightly quieter than the likes of the Grande Plage and it is said to be the Romantic writer Chateaubriand's favourite beach in St Malo. Dogs are prohibited from 01/04 to 30/09.
Location - Plage De L’Eventail, Saint Malo, France
Good for: Families / Couples / Swimming / Dogs
Couched between the Môles de Noires jetty and the Bastion de La Hollande, this fairly small beach is well sheltered and scenic and is hugely popular during the summer months. It is the perfect spot for a refreshing swim and can be combined with a city tour due to its excellent location, as it is right under the city walls! There are lifeguards on patrol during high season and because of its smaller size it is easier to keep an eye on the little ones. Dogs are prohibited from 01/04 to 30/09.
Location - Plage Du Môle, Saint Malo, France.
Good for: Families / Dogs / Bathing / Swimming
This supervised beach spreads west of Rochbonne Point, between Paramé and Rothéneuf. Minihic Beach is an extension of Grande Plage and Pont Beach which is burrowed against Varde point. It is only a short drive from the city centre and offers a more remote and wilder alternative to other beaches closer to the walls. It lays beneath a small green cliff so take care going down the steps to get to the beach. The beach offers a selection of facilities, during peak season there is a summer aid station and there are also toilets available. During the winter months dogs are free to roam but are prohibited from 01/04 to 30/09.
Location - Plage du Minihic, Saint Malo, France.
Good for: Families / Walking / Bathing / Swimming
All St Malo beaches are truly remarkable and Plage du Val is no exception. The beach is situated near the residential area of Rothéneuf, a popular seaside resort well known for its sculpted rocks. Nearby, on the cliffs of Rothéneuf, you will find 300 bizarre faces carved into the rocks by the hermit Adolphe Julien Fouéré. The delightful stretch of fine sands is popular amongst families and there is a lifeguard in the summer to help supervise. There are a variety of services available including disabled facilities, toilets, portable water and a rescue station. Beaches are forbidden for dogs from April 1st to September 30th.
Location – Plage du Val, Saint Malo, France.
Good for: Families / Walking / Swimming / Dogs
The cove of Le Havre de Rotheneuf is situated on the banks of Le Havre du Lupine which is on the border of Saint-Coulomb and Saint Malo. During low tide the beach completely dries up and a large stretch of sand appears to Besnard Island, which is why you can only swim during high tide. This is also the reason as to why the beach often houses sea kayaks, small catamarans and pleasure boats. The beach often becomes segmented into a selection of different small coves separated by rocks due to its tidal ranges. It is very popular with families because of the low current and dogs are prohibited from 01/04 to 30/09.
Location – Le Havre de Rotheneuf, Saint Malo, France.
Good for: Families / Couples / Swimming
For one of the best beaches near St Malo, Plage de l’Ecluse can’t be missed. In the 19th century you would have brushed shoulders with the likes of Oscar Wilde and Picasso when visiting Dinard, otherwise known as “The Pearl of the Emerald Coast”. The seaside resort is only a short 20-minute drive from St Malo, perfect if you are after somewhere a bit different. The white and blue striped beach tents add a unique touch to the beach and are available to hire if you prefer privacy and tranquility. There are also umbrellas, deck chairs and a variety of beachside activities available throughout high season. Settle down for a relaxing day at the beach, bask in the gorgeous sun and take a dip in the glistening waters.
Location - Plage de l’Ecluse, Dinard, France.
Good for: Families / Couples / History / Dogs
This supervised beach in Saint-Coulomb is one of the most beautiful beaches on the East coast and offers a natural setting to wind down. The velvety sand is bordered by a hill of greenery and the glistening water is perfect for cooling down in the summer months. Plage de l’Anse du Guesclin is only a short 20-minute drive from St Malo. In the distance is the beautiful Fort de Guesclin which was once inhabited by Léo Ferré in 1968 and is still privately owned, this can be reached during low tide. The beach can still be enjoyed during high tide and there is lifeguard supervision in the summer. Dogs are prohibited from 15/06 to 15/09, however, they are allowed before 10am and after 8pm.
Location - Plage de l’Anse du Guesclin, Saint-Coulomb, France.
Good for: Families / Swimming / Dogs / Fishing
For a perfect day out with the family head to Plage de Cherrueix, the vast stretch of sand has magical views of Mont Saint Michel which can be seen on clear days. There is a wonderful play area for children close by and the water is ideal for swimming during high tide. The beach is very quiet in comparison to beaches in St Malo, ideal for those who want a bit of peace on their family day out. Plage de Cherrueix is very popular amongst shore fishing and sand yachting fanatics, a great source of entertainment for the young ones. It is a 40-minute drive away from St Malo and perfect to stop by on your way to the Mont St Michel. Animals are accepted but please be aware that this beach is unsupervised.
Location - Plage de Cherrueix, Cherrueix, France.
Good for: Families / Swimming
Just a half an hour drive from St Malo you will find the picture-perfect Port Mer, the ultimate destination on a summer’s day. The beach is reasonably sized and is often considered more of a family beach. If you wish to explore some incredible nearby marine life you can embark on an adventure to discover the nearby dolphins. The attractive fishing village of Cancale offers incredible views of the Baie du Mont St Michel and serves the most remarkable Cancale oysters at the local restaurants. The oyster beds are uncovered at low tide and over 15,000 tonnes are produced annually. Please take care as this beach is unsupervised.
Location - Plage de Port Mer, Cancale, France.
St Malo can be easily reached by ferry from the south coast of England and from the Channel Islands. When you hop off the ferry you’ll be on the doorstep of the picturesque St Malo greeted by the fortifications that surround the old town. Visit St Malo by ferry to explore these popular beaches and much more!