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Island · Saint-Malo, Bretanha
Grand Bé
Small islet in front of the ramparts where the writer Chateaubriand's tomb is located. At low tide you can walk there from the plage de Bon-Secours.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Grand Bé
Grand Bé is an uninhabited islet at the mouth of the river Rance, at the foot of Saint-Malo's ramparts. At low tide it becomes almost a peninsula, and an elevated walkway allows you to reach it on foot from the plage de Bon-Secours.
On the high point of the islet is the tomb of François-René de Chateaubriand, a writer born in Saint-Malo in 1768. He asked to be buried there, facing the sea, and the tomb is a simple unnamed granite cross.
The islet was used as a quarantine site and later fortified. Vauban and Garangeau reinforced its defenses at the end of the 17th century, and the Germans installed a battery there during the Second World War.
On days of high tide, the sonneur des Bés, a lookout with a fog horn, warns when the tide starts to rise.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour round trip on foot.
Best time
Only at low tide, with plenty of time before the tide rises. Late afternoon is often a good time for views of the ramparts.
How to get there
Leave the Intra-Muros via the Porte des Bés or the Porte Saint-Pierre and go down to the plage de Bon-Secours; the crossing starts there.
Tip
Check the tide table and obey the signs at the path entrance. Wear footwear that can get wet and do not linger on the islet when the sea begins to rise.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Grand Bé
Who is buried at Grand Bé?
The writer François-René de Chateaubriand, born in Saint-Malo, who asked to be buried there.
Can you go at any time?
No. The passage is only free at low tide. Check the tide table and return before the tide rises.
What is Petit Bé?
It is the neighboring islet, with a small fort. You can also reach it on foot at low tide; check whether visits are available.