Beach
Plage du Môle
Saint-Malo · Ille-et-Vilaine
At the foot of Intra-Muros, the Plage du Môle is a west-facing sandy beach, sheltered from the wind by the harbour jetty and very popular for swimming, with a summer first-aid post and a shower.
- Suggested time
- 1 h 30 to half a day
- Type of place
- Intra-Muros beach sheltered by the Môle des Noires, lifeguarded in summer
- Atmosphere
- Historic, urban, sheltered and very busy in summer
- Getting there
- Rue Guy Louvel, Intra-Muros, 35400 Saint-Malo. On foot from the ramparts and the Porte de Dinan.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 9/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 9/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 4/10
- Reduced mobility
- 6/10
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 Plage du Môle nestles south of Intra-Muros, protected by the Môle des Noires, a jetty about 500 metres long built on the former Roches Noires. This shelter often gives it a calmer feel than the beaches exposed to the open sea. Facing west, it is very popular for swimming and naturally very busy in summer. A first-aid post operates in season, and a shower is available. Dogs are banned from 1 April to 30 September. Its appeal goes well beyond swimming: within minutes you can reach the ramparts, the Porte de Dinan, the quays and the Môle des Noires. The site is ideal for a visit to Saint-Malo where the beach is part of a day in town.
What you will see
- A sandy beach below Intra-Muros.
- Faces west.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Rue Guy Louvel, Intra-Muros, 35400 Saint-Malo; on foot from the ramparts and the Porte de Dinan
- Services
- Showers, first-aid post in season, many restaurants in Intra-Muros, town facilities nearby
- Parking
- Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
- Pets
- Dogs banned from 1 April to 30 September
- Accessibility
- Fairly easy urban access, but no Hippocampe chair is listed at this beach
- Lifeguarded swimming
- First-aid post in summer
- With family
- A good Saint-Malo option thanks to its shelter
- Tides
- Very strong influence; at low tide, a wider beach and the water further away; at high tide, swimming right by the ramparts and the jetty
- Orientation
- West
- Activities
- Swimming, walking on the Môle des Noires, visiting the ramparts, photography, relaxing
- Safety
- Follow the first-aid post’s instructions, do not dive from the jetty outside authorised areas, keep away from boat movements, watch children near the structures, be ready for the fast-rising tide
- Best time
- With family, during lifeguard hours; for photos, late afternoon; for calm, early morning, together with a visit to Intra-Muros
- Photography
- The Môle des Noires, the ramparts, the top of the beach; late-afternoon light
- Ideal for
- Swimming, families, visiting Intra-Muros, sunsets, walking
- Nearby
- Intra-Muros, the Môle des Noires, the Porte de Dinan, Bon-Secours beach, the Grand Bé, the port of Saint-Malo
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 tipsHide
- 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 out along the Môle des Noires at sunset.
- Watch out for the fast-rising tide.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
Intra-Muros beach sheltered by the Môle des Noires, lifeguarded in summer.
Why come here?
The most sheltered beach in Intra-Muros for family swimming, right below the ramparts and the Môle des Noires, perfect for combining the sea, the old town and a walk on the jetty.
How much time should I allow?
1 h 30 to half a day.
What is the atmosphere like?
Historic, urban, sheltered and very busy in summer.
Is swimming lifeguarded?
Yes, there is a first-aid post in summer.
Are dogs allowed?
No, from 1 April to 30 September.
See also the beaches in Saint-Malo.
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Photographs: Eusebius · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · John Samuel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons