The beaches
Let's start with one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, the Sillon beach of course! Three kilometers long, the beach is recognizable among thousands with its hundreds of breakwaters. These oak barrels planted in the sand allow to break the waves during the high tides and thus preserve the seawall. For the anecdote, the writer Chateaubriand liked to get up there as a child with his friends and accidentally tripped a girl in the waves. Some of them are more than 200 years old and have been replaced by the city. The Sillon beach is the largest sandy beach in Saint-Malo. It actually includes three beaches: the Grande plage, the plage de la Hoguette and the plage de Rochebonne. All along the dike, you can walk and observe the most beautiful villas of the coastline, from Intra Muros to Paramé. Not very sheltered from the wind, prefer windy activities (kite, windsurfing, tank and kite-surfing ...). Note that the show is breathtaking during high tides, but dangerous: be careful. Also note that the picnic will be quickly disturbed by gulls looking for the slightest crumb.
The beaches of Rothéneuf are also worth discovering, with a preference for the beach of Le Pont which, with its slipway, allows the launching of dinghies and is very family-friendly. The slope of the Val beach discourages some, but it is rather well sheltered from the wind.
Be careful with parking, which is not always easy during the high season. Please note that the beaches are forbidden to dogs from April1st to September 30th on the whole coast.In the heart of Saint-Coulomb, discover the beach of Anse Du Guesclin in a natural environment free of any urbanization. Ideally located between the Pointe du Nid and the Pointe des Grands Nez, this beach of fine sand is sheltered from the wind. Some ponds are formed on the east side of the beach, ideal for children. At low tide, you can walk to the bottom of Fort Du Guesclin built on an islet. It was once occupied by the singer Léo Ferré and his faithful guenon Pépée. The waves can be surprising when the wind picks up.
The Ecluse beach is located in the heart of the city of Dinard and is bordered by the Barrière casino, the Olympic seawater swimming pool and its many cafes and restaurants, which makes it a very popular beach throughout the year. It is also known for its blue and white striped beach tents erected during the high season. On the right side of the beach, you will find the outdoor seawater pool and the Wishbone Club where you can practice many water activities (sailing, catamaran...). Sports tournaments are also organized on the beach in season (beach volleyball, soccer, petanque...) which makes it a lively family beach. You can also stroll along the seawall that borders the beach and enjoy waffles, ice cream and other delicacies. If you want to stop for a drink, the Casino Barrière, which overlooks the beach, offers an exceptional view of the sea.
The Prieuré beach in Dinard is located right next to the Versailles of Dinard: the Port Breton park. On the left side of the beach, you will find its mythical seawater pool, renovated in 2020. It offers a breathtaking view of Saint-Malo as a backdrop and is accessible by the Promenade du Clair de Lune, which is very pleasant to do on sunny days. You should also know that when the sea retreats, it becomes a privileged place for fishing on foot. If you wish to eat, the Woop Beach will welcome you with your feet in the sand, as well as the Carthagène opposite the swimming pool.
The Grande plage is without a doubt the most family-friendly beach in Saint-Lunaire and is accessible from the city center. From its seawall, you can admire the Grand Hôtel, the Pointe du Décollé in the background, and the Pointe du Nick. Thanks to its adjoining yacht club, it offers a wide range of nautical activities as well as sports activities in season: soccer tournament, beach volleyball... It also has a beach club and a pleasant straw hut to have a snack with your feet in the sand.
The beach of Longchamp extends over approximately 650 meters, which makes it the largest beach in the resort. It is known for being a meeting place for surfers. In addition, several water sports can be practiced there: windsurfing, surfing, channel for boats... You will also find a beach bar located on the seawall to eat.
Between Dinard and Saint-Lunaire, below, you will find the beaches of La Fourberie and La Fosse aux Vaults. With transparent waters and fine sand, they are less popular with tourists because they are less accessible and less known. However, they are still essential beaches for the locals as the setting is magnificent with its villas lining the coast.The beach of Saint-Sieu is the main beach of Lancieux. It is a family beach that offers many activities (water sports center, games in the sand for children, beach volleyball, kitesurfing in low season...). It is an internationally renowned sailing spot. Its walk on the sea front is accessible to people with reduced mobility and offers a magnificent view on the island of Hebihens. The beach is sometimes transformed into a marine racecourse by hosting horse races.
Surrounded by dunes and small cliffs, the Briantais beach located in Lancieux offers large spaces of fine sand. Appreciated by walkers thanks to its exceptional and totally preserved nature, kitesurfing enthusiasts will be delighted as the waves are strong in windy weather. Wild, it offers magical lights at the end of the day.On the side of Saint-Jacut de la mer, the beach of Rougeret offers a breathtaking view on the archipelago of Ebihens. You can practice many water sports and rent bathing cabins in high season.
On the Boulevard de la Mer, in the center of Saint-Cast-le-Guildo, between the Pointe de la Garde and the port, you will find the Grande Plage. It extends over about 2.2 kilometers and allows, by its end, to reach the port and the shops via the promenade du Soleil Levant.
In Fréhel, the beach of Anse du Croc offers one of the most beautiful views of Cape Fréhel, from where, every four years, you can observe the start of the Route du Rhum. This wild and entirely preserved beach is bordered by dunes. It stretches for about 800 meters, along the GR34.
The last and first baths of the year
Several events are organised at the end of December, inviting the courageous to a last swim of the year, while others focus on the first swim of the new year! Very well supervised, these swims are preceded by a warm-up and followed by a snack. In Dinard, the bathing of December 31st afternoon became a real event on the beach of the Ecluse. The same goes for Saint-Cast-le-Guildo which organizes its last swim of the year at the end of the morning.
Nautical centers
Thanks to its coastline of fine sandy beaches and riverbanks, the region is ideal for water sports. On the sand, on the water, or in the water, you will find many water sports clubs to supervise your activity and practice it safely, from Cancale to Fréhel and inland.
On the beach of Saint-Sieu, in the heart of the city of Lancieux, you will find the Nautical Club which offers a wide range of activities, for adults and children. On the program: windsurfing, kitesurfing, sand yachting, sea kayaking, swimming pool and beach club, in a safe environment, thanks to a professional supervision and in an exceptional natural environment.
The Nautical Center of La Richardais is located on the banks of the Rance River, in a preserved natural site Natura 2000. Between land and sea, the Rance estuary offers an ideal terrain for the practice of water sports in a safe way. Its team of qualified professionals will accompany you all year round within a modern structure. Relaxation, exploration or performance, it is up to you to launch yourself into this incredible adventure.
On a remarkable site, the Rance Frémur Nautical Center welcomes you for a sailing course, a sea class or a vacation stay. The place is ideal for boating because the site combines tranquility and entertainment. You will discover the pleasures of sailing while enjoying the richness of the Rance: its heritage, its fauna and flora.
The Nautical Center of Cancale welcomes you on the beach of Port Mer for a discovery of the marine environment from 4 to 94 years. Sea gardens, Optimist, catamaran, sea kayak, stand-up paddle and windsurfing are some of the activities you can practice in an exceptional setting.
At the end of the Ecluse beach in Dinard, the Wishbone Club offers you a wide range of activities, from initiation to competition, with formulas adapted to your level. You will be able to windsurf, catamaran or stand-up paddle, among others, all supervised by a qualified staff. The setting is also exceptional and safe. At low tide, the lagoons and sandbanks are revealed, for a gliding navigation between the islets. At high tide, the water is more technical because of the currents. To the west of the beach, the Point Passion Plage and, on the beach of Saint-Enogat, the Windschool club will welcome you.
Finally, with Surfschool in Saint-Malo, discover the pleasures of surfing along the Sillon on the beach of La Hoguette. All year round, it offers courses, internships and seminars for the practice of sailing, windsurfing, sand yachting, among others, in a breathtaking setting overlooking the city and its ramparts.
We can also mention the nautical clubs of Saint-Cast, Saint-Jacut and the Yacht Club of Saint-Lunaire on the Great beach.
