Beach
Bon Secours Beach
Saint-Malo · Ille-et-Vilaine
At the foot of the Saint-Malo ramparts, Bon Secours combines a sandy beach, a free seawater pool, a diving board, a sailing school, views of Dinard and, at low tide, access on foot to the Grand Bé and Petit Bé.
- Suggested time
- 2 to 5 hours, a full day with Intra-Muros
- Type of place
- Intra-Muros beach with a seawater pool and diving board
- Atmosphere
- Historic, urban, iconic and very Saint-Malo
- Getting there
- Place du Guet, Intra-Muros, 35400 Saint-Malo. Access from the ramparts and the streets of the walled town.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 9/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 10/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 1/10
- Reduced mobility
- 9/10
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
Bon Secours beach lies right at the foot of Intra-Muros. Its iconic feature is its seawater pool, built in 1937, refilled naturally by every tide and fitted with a diving board. It lets you swim even when the sea has gone out. Facing the beach are the Grand Bé and then the Petit Bé and its fort. The islets can only be reached on foot when the tide allows. In 2026, the lifeguard station is open from 4 July to 30 August, 12.30 pm to 7 pm. The beach is wheelchair accessible and has a Hippocampe beach wheelchair all year round through the sailing centre, with two more in July and August. Dogs are not allowed on Saint-Malo’s beaches until 30 September inclusive. The 2026 national monitoring lists the site as lifeguarded, equipped and wheelchair accessible. As for water quality, Bon Secours was among the sites rated poor in 2025, and the 2026 national page did not yet show a consolidated rating, so check the health notice on the day.
What you will see
- A sandy beach at the foot of the ramparts.
- A free seawater pool with a diving board, built in 1937.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Place du Guet, Intra-Muros, 35400 Saint-Malo. Access from the ramparts and the streets of the walled town
- Services
- Lifeguard station, bar, restaurant, beach club (depending on the season), toilets, drinking water, sailing school
- Parking
- Parking can be very tight in July and August and on sunny weekends.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the summer season, at least until 30 September
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair access, and a Hippocampe beach wheelchair all year round through the sailing centre
- Lifeguarded swimming
- 4 July to 30 August 2026, 12.30 pm to 7 pm
- Water quality
- Checks from 15 June to 15 September 2026; rated poor, not yet rated on the national page
- Tides
- An exceptional influence; at low tide, the pool is available and the Bés can sometimes be reached on foot; at high tide, the sea reaches the pool
- View
- Dinard, the Grand Bé and the Petit Bé
- Activities
- Swimming, the sea pool, the diving board, sailing, the Grand Bé at low tide, photography, the ramparts
- Safety
- Risk of being cut off by the tide at the Grand Bé and Petit Bé; check the health notice; follow the diving board instructions and the lifeguards; the pool is not lifeguarded at all times
- Photography
- The Hollande bastion, the edge of the pool, the ramparts, late in the day
- Ideal for
- Swimming in the pool, heritage, families, photography, sailing
- Nearby
- The Grand Bé, the Petit Bé, the ramparts, Saint-Vincent cathedral, Le Môle beach
Tips on the spot
- Never set off for the Bés without precise tide times and coefficient.
- Check the tide times, marine weather and swell before you go.
- Check the water quality notice in season, especially after heavy rain, and do not swim if there is a ban.
- Watch children at all times, and choose the lifeguarded area.
- Avoid rocks covered with seaweed, and wear suitable shoes.
Show 5 more tipsHide
- Arrive early in July and August; June and September are quieter.
- Parking is very tight in summer and on sunny weekends: come on foot from the walled town.
- Use sun cream, and keep a windproof layer.
- Set a family meeting point.
- If in doubt about conditions, do not swim.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
An Intra-Muros beach with a seawater pool and diving board.
Why come here?
It is Intra-Muros’ most iconic beach, for swimming at any tide thanks to the pool, heritage, views and the walk to the islets, with absolute care about the tide.
How much time should I allow?
2 to 5 hours, a full day with Intra-Muros.
What is the atmosphere like?
Historic, urban, iconic and very Saint-Malo.
Is swimming lifeguarded?
From 4 July to 30 August 2026, 12.30 pm to 7 pm.
What is the water quality like?
It was rated poor in 2025; check the health notice on the day.
See also the beaches in Saint-Malo.
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Read in the journal
- ChristmasWhat to do in Saint-Malo during the Christmas holidaysA Christmas market at the foot of the ramparts, the walled city lit up, storms on the sea wall, Cancale oysters: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Saint-Malo.
- SeasonWhat to do in Saint-Malo during the All Saints’ holidaysThe Route du Rhum village and start, the ramparts, the Grand Bé at the spring tides, the Grand Aquarium and Cancale: our ideas for All Saints’ 2026 in Saint-Malo.
- City guideWhat to do in Saint-Malo: the complete guideThe ramparts, the Grand Bé at low tide, Fort National, the Sillon beaches, Saint-Servan, Cancale and the Pointe du Grouin: what to do in Saint-Malo and the surrounding area.
Traveller reviews
Nobody has reviewed this place yet.
Photographs: TCY · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · François Malo-Renault · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Remi Jouan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · tiger rus · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons