Beach
Plage de Monsieur Hulot
Saint-Nazaire · Loire-Atlantique
In Saint-Marc-sur-Mer, the Monsieur Hulot beach combines sand, a jetty, rocks, a historic hotel, a statue of Jacques Tati, the Blue Flag, summer lifeguards and two Tiralo beach wheelchairs.
- Suggested time
- 3 hours to a full day
- Type of place
- Legendary seaside beach, Blue Flag and Handiplage
- Atmosphere
- Cinematic, family-friendly, retro and seaside
- Getting there
- Rue du Commandant Charcot, Saint-Marc-sur-Mer, 44600 Saint-Nazaire.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 10/10
- As a couple
- 10/10
- With friends
- 10/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 5/10
- Reduced mobility
- 10/10
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 Monsieur Hulot beach in Saint-Marc-sur-Mer is one of the most famous beaches in Loire-Atlantique. Jacques Tati filmed Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot (Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday) here in the early 1950s, using the beach, the jetty, the rocks and the Hôtel de la Plage as his set. Since 1999, a statue of the character has overlooked the beach. In 2026, the beach holds the Blue Flag and was lifeguarded from 27 June to 30 August. The tourist office gives hours of usually 11.30 am to 7 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 7 pm at weekends, depending on the tide. The site has the Handiplage label and two Tiralo beach wheelchairs are available. A bar, restaurant, toilets, play area and Wi-Fi complete the facilities. Dogs, horses and other animals are banned from 15 June to 15 September, then allowed the rest of the year.
What you will see
- A large seaside beach.
- A Jacques Tati filming location.
- The Hôtel de la Plage, the jetty and the statue of Monsieur Hulot.
Practical information
- Getting there
- Rue du Commandant Charcot, Saint-Marc-sur-Mer, 44600 Saint-Nazaire
- Services
- Bar, restaurant, toilets, play area, Wi-Fi, first aid post
- Parking
- Can be very busy in July and August and on sunny weekends
- Pets
- Banned from 15 June to 15 September
- Accessibility
- Handiplage, two Tiralo beach wheelchairs
- Swimming
- Lifeguarded from 27 June to 30 August 2026, with hours adjusted to the tide
- Tides
- Strong influence; the rocks are more visible at low tide
- Activities
- Swimming, walking, film heritage, games, photography
- Best time
- Morning or late in the day
- Nearby
- Saint-Marc-sur-Mer, the coastal path, the Kerarvan garden, Courance, Saint-Nazaire
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 10 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.
- Check the Tiralos are available at the first aid post.
- Spot the film’s settings, and go and see the statue of Monsieur Hulot.
- Allow for lifeguard hours that depend on the tide.
- Continue along the coastal path.
- Choose late in the day for photos.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of beach is it?
A legendary seaside beach with the Blue Flag and the Handiplage label.
Why come here?
A beach as interesting for its film heritage as for swimming, with a seaside village feel, restaurants, a coastal path and real facilities for disabled visitors.
How much time should I allow?
3 hours to a full day.
What is the atmosphere like?
Cinematic, family-friendly, retro and seaside.
Is swimming lifeguarded?
Yes, in summer: from 27 June to 30 August 2026, with hours adjusted to the tide.
Does the tide change the experience?
A lot: the rocks are more visible at low tide.
Stay in Saint-Nazaire
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Read in the journal
- City guideWhat to do in Saint-Nazaire: the complete guideThe submarine base, Escal’Atlantic, the Espadon submarine, the shipyards, the Saint-Nazaire bridge, the beaches and the coastal path: what to do in and around Saint-Nazaire.
- RankingThe most beautiful beaches in Loire-AtlantiqueLa Baule, Monsieur Hulot’s beach, Le Croisic, Pornic and Saint-Brevin: the most beautiful beaches in Loire-Atlantique, from the Côte d’Amour to the Côte de Jade.
- DepartmentWhat to do in Loire-AtlantiqueNantes, La Baule, the Guérande salt marshes: the department with the most places in our guide, between the Loire and the Atlantic.
Traveller reviews
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Photographs: JackyM59 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Demeester · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons