Grand Jardin Lighthouse, Large de Saint-Malo: lighthouse in Brittany

A 32.71 m tower in the Saint-Malo passage, with two red flashes every 10 seconds, at the heart of the Grande Porte and Petite Porte leading lines.

Suggested time: 20 min to 1 h from the coast, longer on a boat trip
Type of place: Lighthouse at sea, listed as a historic monument
Atmosphere: Maritime, corsair, technical and monumental
Getting there: A lighthouse at sea in the Saint-Malo passage. Seen from the coast, the ramparts and boat trips.

Who this place suits

With family: 7/10
As a couple: 8/10
With friends: 8/10
Solo: 9/10
With a dog: 6/10
Reduced mobility: 3/10

These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.

About

The Grand Jardin is one of the central elements of the sea approach to Saint-Malo. Built on the Pierre du Jardin, south-west of Cézembre, it holds a strategic position in the passages leading to the corsair city. With Rochebonne, it forms the leading line of the Grande Porte channel; with La Balue, it is part of the Petite Porte line. Construction began in 1865 and the lighthouse was lit in 1868. The current tower is 32.71 metres high. Its red light gives two flashes every ten seconds, with a range of 17 miles. The base of the round tower is more than ten metres across, showing the constraints imposed by the rock and the sea. Damaged during the Second World War, the lighthouse was then restored and modernised. It is now automated and listed as a historic monument. It cannot be visited and is best seen from the ramparts and high points of Saint-Malo, but it is from a boat that its position among the rocks, channels and islands becomes clearest. Lining it up with Rochebonne or La Balue turns a simple silhouette offshore into a real navigation tool.

What you will see

Type of site: lighthouse at sea, listed as a historic monument.
Visits: not open to visitors.
Height: 32.71 m.
Light: two red flashes every 10 seconds.
Range: 17 miles.
Optic: Horizon, 0.35 m focal length; two 15 W LEDs.

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Base diameter: 10.70 m; top diameter: 6 m.
1865: construction begins on the Pierre du Jardin.
1868: the lighthouse comes into service.
A key part of the approach lines to Saint-Malo.
Damaged during the Second World War, then restored and automated.

Practical information

Pets: Depends on the viewpoint or the boat operator chosen
Accessibility: No access to the lighthouse; several urban viewpoints in Saint-Malo are accessible
With family: Part of a boat trip or a lighthouse-spotting session from the ramparts
Safety: No improvised approach or landing; the Saint-Malo passages have strong currents and a large tidal range
Best time: Clear weather, calm sea and good visibility
Photography: Use a long lens from Saint-Malo; a boat trip shows the tower with Cézembre, the corsair city or shipping
Nearby: Saint-Malo Intra-Muros, Cézembre, Rochebonne lighthouse, La Balue lighthouse, Dinard, the Rance estuary

Tips on the spot

Check the visit status on the day before you travel, and do not confuse access to the site, the foot of the lighthouse and the inside of the tower.
For a lighthouse open to visitors, check the time of the last climb, not just the closing time.
For a lighthouse at sea, only watch it from a boat run by a professional or from a safe viewpoint on land.
Bring a windproof layer, even in summer; stairs and galleries can be slippery with rain or spray.
With children, check the number of steps and any minimum age; with vertigo, the climb to the gallery is not for everyone.

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Working lighthouses are maritime safety equipment: respect all restricted technical areas.
For photos, use a wide angle at the foot of the lighthouse and a telephoto lens for lighthouses seen from a distance.
On an island, check the last boat back before starting the visit.
On cliffs, stay behind the barriers and on the paths; keep dogs on a lead in nature reserves.
Visits can be cancelled at the last minute for safety reasons.
From the ramparts, try to line up the Grand Jardin with Rochebonne to understand the channel.
A boat trip shows the lighthouse among the rocks and islands of the bay.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Grand Jardin lighthouse?

No. It can be seen from the ramparts and high points of Saint-Malo, or from a boat.

How much time should I allow?

20 min to 1 h from the coast, longer on a boat trip.

What is the main interest of the site?

Understanding the central role of a lighthouse at sea that organises two of the main approach lines to Saint-Malo.

What is the atmosphere like?

Maritime, corsair, technical and monumental.

When is the best time for photos?

Use a long lens from Saint-Malo; a boat trip shows the tower with Cézembre, the corsair city or shipping.

Is there any particular risk?

No improvised approach or landing: the Saint-Malo passages have strong currents and a large tidal range.

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Photograph: Remi Jouan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons