Plage de l'Éventail, Saint-Malo

Beach in Saint-Malo

Plage de l'Eventail
Plage de l’Eventail
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Selmoval

Plage de l'Éventail is the sandy sweep that sits right at the foot of Saint-Malo's ramparts, where the walled city feels closest to the sea. With Fort National rising offshore and the granite walls framing the shoreline, it's one of the best places to visit in Saint-Malo if you want a beach moment that still feels unmistakably historic rather than “just another stretch of sand.”

Because it's steps from Intra-Muros, it's also an easy, high-reward stop on a walking tour of Saint-Malo: you can come down from the wall walk, breathe in the sea air, and watch the tides reshape the bay before slipping back into the lanes for cafés and sight-seeing. It's simple, scenic, and surprisingly versatile-good for a quick pause, a longer walk at low tide, or a swim when conditions are calm.

History and Significance of the Plage de l’Éventail

Plage de l'Éventail matters as much for its setting as for its sand. Sheltered by the ramparts, it sits in the heart of the city's defensive landscape, where beaches are not separate from history but woven into it. Standing here, you see Saint-Malo's defining relationship with the sea: a coastline that's beautiful, but also powerful enough to demand walls, breakwaters, and constant respect for tides.

The beach's connection to Fort National adds another layer of significance. At low tide, the shoreline becomes a living map of Saint-Malo's coastal defence system, revealing how the city extended protection beyond the walls into the bay. Even if you never cross to the fort, the view alone makes the strategy legible: city, sea, and strongpoints aligned.

Things to See and Do in the Plage de l’Éventail

The classic experience is simply walking the sand with the ramparts above you and Fort National ahead. At low tide the beach widens dramatically, and the open space makes even a short stroll feel expansive-perfect if you want a break from the tighter streets of Intra-Muros without leaving the historic centre.

If you like viewpoint stops, this is one of the best places for that “postcard framing” Saint-Malo does so well: granite walls to one side, open sea to the other, and shifting light across the bay. It's also a natural launch point for tide-timed exploring, whether that's heading toward Fort National when safe to do so or continuing along the shoreline toward the Sillon end for a longer coastal walk.

For families and casual swimmers, the sheltered feel can be appealing on calmer days, especially when the beach is supervised in summer. When the wind is up, treat it as a scenic, bracing walk rather than a lingering swim stop-the atmosphere is still excellent, just more elemental.

How to Get to the Plage de l’Éventail

Plage de l'Éventail is directly below the ramparts of Intra-Muros, so once you are inside the walled city it is easiest to reach on foot via the seafront side of the walls, including the access near Porte Saint-Thomas. The nearest airports for reaching Saint-Malo are Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo (DNR) and Rennes-Saint-Jacques (RNS). For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Saint-Malo on Booking.com.

Saint-Malo train station connects well via Rennes, and from the station you can reach Intra-Muros by local bus, taxi, or an easy walk if you are travelling light.You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place. Local buses are also useful if you are staying along Le Sillon or in Saint-Servan and want a quick hop to the old town before continuing on foot to the beach.

If you are driving, park outside the walls in one of the main car parks and walk into Intra-Muros, as the historic core is much easier to enjoy without a car.If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Plage de l’Éventail

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Official website: https://www.saint-malo-tourisme.com/
  • Best time to visit: Aim for low tide for the widest sand and the most dramatic sense of space, or late afternoon for softer light on the ramparts and fort.
  • How long to spend: 30-60 minutes for a satisfying beach-and-views stop, longer if you are combining it with a ramparts walk and a coastal loop.
  • Accessibility: The easiest access is via the ramparts-side steps and seafront approaches, but expect uneven surfaces and soft sand once you are on the beach.
  • Facilities: There are no “beach complex” facilities on the sand itself, so plan toilets, snacks, and longer breaks inside Intra-Muros a few minutes away.

Where to Stay Close to the Plage de l’Éventail

For a culture-heavy itinerary, the best area to base yourself is Intra-Muros so you can reach the ramparts and this beach in minutes; if your main focus is beach walks and sea views, base yourself along Le Sillon for an easy promenade rhythm while still staying walkable to the old town.

If you want to wake up inside the walls and step straight into the historic atmosphere, La Maison des Armateurs is a strong base with everything close by. For a simple, very central old-town location that keeps you near the seafront exits, Hôtel des Marins is convenient for early starts and easy evenings. If you prefer to be on the seafront promenade with a quick walk into Intra-Muros, Hôtel Le Nouveau Monde suits travellers who want beach access first and history on demand.

Is the Plage de l’Éventail Worth Visiting?

Yes, because it delivers Saint-Malo's signature contrast in the simplest possible way: fortified granite above, open sea in front, and a beach that changes character with the tide. Even if you only stop for a few minutes, the view toward Fort National and the wall line makes the city's coastal identity feel immediate.

It’s also one of the most efficient stops in the city. No tickets, no detours, no planning beyond checking the tide if you want to walk farther-just a short descent from the ramparts and you are in one of Saint-Malo’s most photogenic coastal scenes.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.9 (143)

Plage de l'Éventail at 4 Chaussée du Sillon in Saint-Malo is described by visitors as a beautiful beach with striking blue water and dramatic tide changes that are quick to appear; families praise it as especially good for kids to play in clear, if cold, seawater, and many find the scenery stunning. However, some warn that conditions vary: when the tide is out the shoreline can be muddy and littered with algae and sea life, so timing your visit for sunny, higher-tide periods will make for a much better experience.

Thanthip Trisurat EVE
3 months ago
"A famous attraction is located in Re es, Bretange that is called “Mont St. Malo”nThe atmosphere was very nice and windynIt was such a greatexperience for see sightseeing here..."
Oana N
4 months ago
"Unless it is nice and su y and the sea is not withdrawn, it is definitely not worth going there. We visited it while the water was far away and thebeach was dirty, full with algae and semi-dead warms, basically looking like mud. This in the middle of August. Total waste of time, we left disappointed…...."
Maria Paz Vallejos
4 months ago
"Experienced the low and high tide, crazy how quick it goes! Very nice beach, specially for kids"

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This beach works well for families because it is close to the old town and easy to combine with short, flexible plans. You can do a quick sand session, then head back inside the walls for food, toilets, or a change of clothes without turning it into a full-day commitment.

The tide adds a fun “nature schedule” element for kids, but it also means adults should lead the timing. Treat low tide walks as an adventure with clear boundaries, and you will get the best of the space without any stress.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, Plage de l'Éventail is at its best in softer light, when the fort and ramparts silhouette into something quietly cinematic. It is an easy place to slow down: walk the sand, watch the waterline shift, then return to the lanes for a warm drink or an unhurried dinner.

It also makes a strong “transition moment” in a day-an open-air pause between cultural stops. The mix of sea air and historic stone gives Saint-Malo its romance, and this beach captures both in one glance.

Budget Travelers

This is one of Saint-Malo’s best free experiences, delivering big views and a genuinely memorable setting without paying for an attraction. It also pairs well with other no-cost highlights: ramparts viewpoints, old-town wandering, and long walks along the seafront.

If you are travelling on a tight budget, use this as your scenic anchor and spend your money elsewhere only if you want to. A bakery snack and a tide-timed walk here can feel as satisfying as many ticketed activities.

FAQs for Visiting the Plage de l’Éventail

Getting There

It sits directly below the Intra-Muros ramparts, facing Fort National just offshore.
Walk toward the seafront side of the ramparts and use the nearest beach access steps, including the approach near Porte Saint-Thomas.
Reach Intra-Muros first by bus, taxi, or walking, then continue on foot to the ramparts-side seafront and down to the beach.
Parking is easiest outside the walls, then you walk in, since the old town is tighter and slower for cars than for pedestrians.

Visiting Experience

Thirty minutes is enough for the views, a short walk, and a few photos, especially if you stay near the ramparts end.
Yes, because it is steps from the main old-town sights and gives you the signature “ramparts and sea” experience without detours.
It can be spectacular, but it is exposed, so treat it as a brisk viewpoint stop rather than a long beach linger.

Tides and Fort National

You can sometimes cross on foot at low tide, but only when the route is clearly safe and you have plenty of time to return before the water rises.
Check the day’s low-tide time and aim to arrive with a generous buffer so the walk never feels rushed, then turn back early rather than pushing the window.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, it appears naturally in most routes that include the ramparts and the seafront viewpoints, because it is right at the base of the walls.
Combine a beach stop with a ramparts section, then loop back through Intra-Muros lanes for a café break and a quieter street wander.

Photography

Yes, especially for classic shots with Fort National offshore and the ramparts framing the shoreline.
Late afternoon often gives the most flattering light on the stone walls, while low tide adds scale and texture to the sand patterns.

Accessibility and Facilities

Access typically involves steps and uneven surfaces, and the sand can be difficult for some mobility aids, so the ramparts viewpoints may be the easier alternative.
Yes, you are only minutes from benches and cafés inside Intra-Muros, so it is easy to pause and warm up after time by the water.

Nearby Attractions to the Plage de l’Éventail

  • Fort National: A Vauban fortress on a tidal islet that adds drama and a deeper defensive story when conditions allow access.
  • Saint-Malo Ramparts: The wall-top circuit for panoramic views over beaches, islets, and the city's granite rooftops.
  • Plage de Bon-Secours: The iconic walled-city beach with a seawater pool and excellent views toward Grand Bé and Petit Bé.
  • Château de Saint-Malo: The ducal fortress at the edge of Intra-Muros, linking Saint-Malo's power story to its coastal defenses.
  • Saint-Vincent Cathedral: A calm historic interior in the heart of the old town, perfect for a quieter pause after the seafront.

The Plage de l'Éventail appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Saint-Malo!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free.

Address: Plage de l’éventail, Chaussée du Sillon, Saint-Malo, France
Saint-Malo: 1 km
Official Website

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