Grande Plage du Sillon beach
It's located in the northern part of Brittany in immediate proximity to the city of Saint-Malo, a major tourist center in France. This popular resort attracts many tourists not only with its endless sandy beaches and famous thalassotherapy center, but also with the unique centuries-old history of these places. The city is surrounded by an ancient fortress that served as a safe haven for pirates who controlled the English Channel in the Middle Ages. And thanks to a large seaport, the west coast of France is connected with England, Ireland and Spain by ferry. Saint-Malo is visited by more than two million people annually.
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Beach description
To the left of the Grande Plage du Sillon, on a small island located a few hundred meters from the shore, there is the national fort of Saint-Malo, which used to protect the city from the sea. To the north of it, there is a three-kilometre long, wide coastline covered with golden sand. Right beneath the city's fortress walls begins Plage de l'Éventail beach, which slowly leads to Plage du Sillon, which in turn leads to Plage de la Hoguette and Rochebonne Beach, which borders the beaches of Minich Bay.
The beach of Saint-Malo Resort is not only the longest in Brittany, but also the most beautiful. In the rating of a prestigious travel site Tripadvisor it takes an honorary top line.
Strong high tides are the peculiarity of these places, which must be taken into account by lovers of beach recreation. At low tide, the shore is full of holidaymakers who happily soaking up the gentle sun, walk on the exposed sea bottom, collecting shells and crabs, practise sports and ride on sandy yachts, which are so popular here. Only buoys on the beach and wooden breakwaters sticking out of the sand remind us of the treacherous sea.
At high tide, the picture changes drastically. The sea is coming at a fantastic speed and covers two thirds of the beach, in some places (Plage de l'Éventail) reaching the very fortress walls. It's not safe to be in the water at this time, as the sea moves very fast and pulls into its abyss everything in its path with force. To ensure the safety of holidaymakers on the beach, it has three lifeguard stations working 24 hours a day. Usually, tourists watch the high tide, strolling along the promenade, or from the terraces of numerous coastal cafes.
Grande Plage du Sillon has everything you need for a comfortable stay: toilets, showers, rental centers of sun loungers, umbrellas and sports equipment, stalls with ice cream and refreshments. On the beach, you can also ride on water attractions and rent a boat or catamaran to go on a trip to the fort.
The sea in this part of Brittany is cool, the maximum temperature does not exceed twenty degrees Celsius. You can swim more or less comfortably in the improvised swimming pool near the shore, where the water is trapped after low tide and warms up to a pleasant temperature. There's a diving board in its deepest place.
When is the best time to go?
It is possible to relax in France at any time of the year, the time of the trip depends more on your preferences. Summer - a great time to travel to the sea. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, even on the southern French Riviera is not hot weather. In winter , people go to ski resorts in France. It should be be mindful that in summer and winter in France there is a high season, respectively, prices soar. To enjoy the excursions, choose the time from February to April or from September to November, when both in the north and in the south it is not very crowded. If you go to the French Riviera in September, you will never lose: You will find a time when the weather is still warm and the prices are not so high.
Video: Beach Grande Plage du Sillon
Infrastructure
Along the entire beach in the immediate proximity, there's a motorway equipped with “pockets” for parking. A picturesque promenade with numerous cafes and restaurants is stretching in parallel to it. The best hotels with beautiful sea views are also located here.
One of the most attractive options in immediate proximity to the beach - Hotel Oceania Saint Malo. In addition to modern spacious rooms, equipped with everything you need, there's a swimming pool with hydromassage, gym, cabinet for SPA-procedures, children's playrooms. In the evenings, they throw entertainment parties, the bar is open 24 hours a day. The balconies offer stunning views of the sea and the marina, which is within walking distance of the hotel. The best restaurants are also concentrated here; there you can treat yourself to the freshest local oysters.
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In addition to the endless beaches, the best in Brittany, the fortress of Saint-Malo is an undeniable adornment of the resort. Built back in the sixth century, it was severely damaged during the Second World War, but was fully restored according to ancient sketches. Climbing up the fortress wall, you can admire the panorama of the Old Town, explore the location of its narrow cobbled streets, see the Solidor Tower, one of the symbols of the city, and the Cathedral of Saint-Vincent, the oldest cathedral of those that has survived in Brittany. At the western entrance to the fortress there is an aquarium, which presents a vast collection of marine life of the Atlantic.
The island of Grand Bé, where the great Chateaubriand is buried, is a must-visit. It's connected to the land by an artificial embankment, the passage through which is closed at high tide.