Beach
Plage de la Varde
Saint-Malo · Ille-et-Vilaine
In Rothéneuf, La Varde is a small sandy beach backed by the Pointe de la Varde, in a wild natural setting, reachable by car but with no lifeguards.
- Suggested time
- 1 h 30 to 3 hours
- Type of place
- Small wild beach at the foot of the Pointe de la Varde
- Atmosphere
- Wild, calm, natural and typical of Saint-Malo
- Getting there
- Avenue de la Varde, Rothéneuf, 35400 Saint-Malo. Car access possible up to the point.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 6/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 10/10
- With a dog
- 3/10
- 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
La Varde beach is in the Rothéneuf district, right next to the Pointe de la Varde. Its main asset is its setting: no big urban seafront here, but a small sandy beach in natural surroundings, with rocks, coastal vegetation and a panorama out to sea. Access is via Avenue de la Varde, and the beach is open all year. It is not lifeguarded. La Varde is above all a beach for relaxing, enjoying the scenery and walking, suited to independent visitors who want to discover a wilder part of Saint-Malo. Pets are banned from 1 April to 30 September. The Pointe de la Varde is an excellent addition to the beach and gives you a view over the Saint-Malo coastline.
What you will see
- A small sandy beach.
- At the foot of the Pointe de la Varde.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Avenue de la Varde, Rothéneuf, 35400 Saint-Malo; car access possible up to the point
- Services
- Parking in the area
- Parking
- Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
- Pets
- Banned from 1 April to 30 September
- Accessibility
- Natural access, not very practical for pushchairs
- Lifeguarded swimming
- Not lifeguarded
- With family
- Not well suited to families looking for services
- Tides
- Strong influence; at low tide, more rocks and foreshore visible; at high tide, less beach
- Activities
- Careful swimming, photography, a walk on the Pointe de la Varde, picnics, watching the coast
- Safety
- Swim only in good conditions, no lifeguards, slippery rocks, watch the tide, keep away from unstable cliffs or banks, check the sea conditions
- Best time
- For calm, the morning or outside the season; for photos, late afternoon; for walking, all year; for swimming, mid-tide in calm seas
- Photography
- The Pointe de la Varde, the top of the beach, the side rocks from a safe spot; late afternoon light
- Ideal for
- Peace and quiet, photography, couples, walks, picnics, viewpoints
- Nearby
- The Pointe de la Varde, Rothéneuf, Le Val beach, the Rochers Sculptés, the Sillon, Paramé
Tips on the spot
- Check the tide times before you go, and download them for offline use.
- Check the marine weather, swell and wind.
- Read the signs at the entrance and respect the flags and instructions.
- Choose the lifeguarded area when there is one, and do not overestimate your swimming level.
- Watch children at all times, and set a family meeting point.
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- Check the water quality in season, and do not swim if there is a ban.
- Arrive early in July and August; June and September are quieter.
- Use sun cream even when the sky is hazy, and keep a windproof layer.
- Respect the dunes and vegetation, and take all your litter home.
- If in doubt about conditions, do not swim.
- Walk up to the Pointe de la Varde for the view over the Saint-Malo coast.
- Bring a picnic: there are no services on the beach.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
Small wild beach at the foot of the Pointe de la Varde.
Why come here?
A nature beach on the edge of Saint-Malo, ideal for a quiet break, a walk on the Pointe de la Varde and photography, far from the urban feel of the Sillon.
How much time should I allow?
1 h 30 to 3 hours.
What is the atmosphere like?
Wild, calm, natural and typical of Saint-Malo.
Is the beach lifeguarded?
No, swim with care.
Are dogs allowed?
Not from 1 April to 30 September.
See also the beaches in Saint-Malo.
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Photographs: TCY · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Jun.jb · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Kev22 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons