Plage du Rosais, Saint-Malo: beach in Brittany

Below the Parc de la Briantais in Saint-Malo, Le Rosais is a small bank of sand and fine gravel on the Rance, interesting for the scenery and a walk but closed to swimming because of the currents from the tidal power dam.

Suggested time: 45 minutes to 2 hours as part of a walk
Type of place: Small sandbank on the Rance where swimming and shellfish gathering are banned
Atmosphere: Peaceful, estuarine, green and contemplative
Getting there: Le Vau Garni, 35400 Saint-Malo. Access below the Parc de la Briantais, a few parking spaces nearby.

Who this place suits

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

Le Rosais lies below the Parc de la Briantais, on the Saint-Malo bank of the Rance. Its look of a small beach can be misleading: swimming is banned because of the currents created by the nearby Rance tidal power dam. Shellfish gathering is also banned for health reasons. The appeal of Le Rosais lies in its riverside atmosphere, the views over the Rance, the Parc de la Briantais and the nearby walking routes. There are a few parking spaces nearby. Animals are banned from 1 April to 30 September.

What you will see

Below the Parc de la Briantais in Saint-Malo, Le Rosais is a small bank of sand and fine gravel on the Rance, interesting for the scenery and a walk but closed to swimming because of the currents from the tidal power dam.
A beach to visit for a walk and a view over the Rance, not for swimming: the currents from the dam mean swimming is banned, and shellfish gathering is also banned for health reasons.
Small bank of sand and fine gravel.
On the Rance, below the Parc de la Briantais.
Dogs: animals banned from 1 April to 30 September.
Shellfish gathering banned for health reasons.

Show 1 more point

Small Rance shore below the trees of the park.

Practical information

Parking: Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends.
Pets: Dog rules vary by town and season; check the municipal order or the signs at the beach entrance.

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 31 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.
Do not plan on swimming at Le Rosais.
Swimming is banned because of the currents from the Rance dam.
Shellfish gathering is also banned.
Do not let children play in the water.
Use Le Rosais as a stop on a walk.
The Parc de la Briantais offers the best viewpoints.
Wear good shoes for the paths.
Animals are banned from 1 April to 30 September.
At low tide, do not use the foreshore for shellfish gathering.
Respect all local signs.
The site is more interesting for photography than for beach activities.
The end of the day brings good light over the Rance.
There are a few parking spaces, but they are limited.
To swim in Saint-Malo, choose another beach.
For a family outing, combine Le Rosais with the park.
The site is quiet in the morning.
Do not climb down unstable banks.
Watch the water movements without going near them.
A walk to Saint-Servan rounds off the visit well.
Before setting off, check that the swimming ban is still in force.
At low tide: more of the foreshore is visible, but shellfish gathering is banned.
At high tide: the water comes closer to the bank.
Best photo spot: the top of the Parc de la Briantais.
Best light: the end of the day.
For people with reduced mobility: natural access down a slope, not well suited.
Watch the Rance from the bank, without going into the water.

Frequently asked questions

Why come to Le Rosais beach?

A beach to visit for a walk and a view over the Rance, not for swimming: the currents from the dam mean swimming is banned, and shellfish gathering is also banned for health reasons.

What kind of beach is Le Rosais?

A small sandbank on the Rance where swimming and shellfish gathering are banned.

What is the atmosphere like?

Peaceful, estuarine, green and contemplative.

How much time should I allow?

45 minutes to 2 hours as part of a walk.

How do you get to the beach?

Le Vau Garni, 35400 Saint-Malo. Access below the Parc de la Briantais, a few parking spaces nearby.

Is the beach suitable for families?

Do not use it as a family swimming beach.

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Photographs: chisloup · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons