Plage du Havre du Lupin, Saint-Coulomb: beach in Brittany

Between Saint-Coulomb and Saint-Malo, the Havre du Lupin faces Île Besnard and empties almost completely at low tide, leaving a vast shore of sand and rocks popular for shore fishing and windsurfing.

Suggested time: 2 to 4 hours, depending on the tide
Type of place: Natural inlet without lifeguards, for swimming only around high tide
Atmosphere: Natural, maritime, ever-changing and historic
Getting there: Route de Rothéneuf, 35350 Saint-Coulomb. The inlet is reached from the La Guimorais and Rothéneuf areas.

Who this place suits

With family: 6/10
As a couple: 9/10
With friends: 9/10
Solo: 10/10
With a dog: 4/10
Reduced mobility: 4/10

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 Havre du Lupin links Saint-Coulomb with the Havre de Rothéneuf in Saint-Malo. It faces Île Besnard and takes its name from the Lupin malouinière, the shipowner’s manor overlooking the coast to the south. Historically, this inlet is linked to corsairs and smugglers. Today, its main feature is physical: it dries out completely at low tide. Swimming is therefore only possible around high tide, while spring tides turn the area into a vast shore fishing ground for sand eels, velvet crabs and other shore species. A sailing centre is nearby and the spot is popular for windsurfing. The beach is not lifeguarded. Animals are banned from April to September.

What you will see

A sandy, rocky inlet.
Facing Île Besnard.

Practical information

Getting there: Route de Rothéneuf, 35350 Saint-Coulomb, from the La Guimorais and Rothéneuf areas
Services: Sailing centre nearby, parking nearby depending on the area
Parking: Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
Pets: Animals banned from April to September
Accessibility: The vast, soft shore makes getting around very hard at low tide
Lifeguarded swimming: Not lifeguarded
With family: Not well suited to a spontaneous swim with young children
Water quality: Swimming mainly possible around high tide
Tides: Essential influence; at low tide, the inlet dries out and becomes a vast shore; at high tide, it fills up and swimming is possible again
Activities: Shore fishing, windsurfing, swimming at high tide, photography, walks
Safety: No lifeguards; do not go far out on the shore without knowing when the tide turns, respect the water sports zones, check the wind before windsurfing, do not eat shellfish without health checks
Best time: For swimming, around high tide; for shore fishing, low tide with a safety margin; for photos, mid tide; for calm, morning
Photography: The heights of the path, the view towards Île Besnard, the shore at mid tide; late afternoon light
Ideal for: Shore fishing, windsurfing, photography, walks, swimming at high tide
Nearby: Île Besnard, the Havre de Rothéneuf, Les Chevrets beach, the Pointe du Meinga, Rothéneuf, the GR 34

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.

Show 7 more tips

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.
Check the tide times: you can only swim around high tide.
Come at a spring tide for shore fishing, with a safety margin.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of beach is it?

Natural inlet without lifeguards, for swimming only around high tide.

Why come here?

A beach where everything depends on the tide: swimming around high tide, shore fishing at low tide, a historic corsair and smuggler setting, but no lifeguards.

How much time should I allow?

2 to 4 hours, depending on the tide.

What is the atmosphere like?

Natural, maritime, ever-changing and historic.

Can you swim at any time?

No, only around high tide: the inlet dries out at low tide.

Is the beach lifeguarded?

No.

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