The Emerald Coast and its islands

The Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast is located on the north coast of Brittany between Cancale and Cap Fréhel. Its name comes from the emerald colour of the sea. Like the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, the Emerald Coast is a protected site. From Paramé to Cancale, it is a Natura 2000 site, an area recognised at European level for its biodiversity. This magnificent stretch of coastline in Brittany can be enjoyed on foot, on horseback or by bike. The Natura 2000 site of the Côte de Cancale à Paramé owes its exceptional character to the many exceptional habitats and species that it shelters and that must be preserved.

L’île du Grand-Bé, the tomb of Chateaubriand

This uninhabited island lies at the foot of the ramparts of Saint-Malo. Here you can see the tomb of the writer Chateaubriand, precursor of French Romanticism, who was born in Saint-Malo. You can only get there at low tide. So be sure to check the tide times before venturing onto the island!

Cézembre, the forbidden island

Only the beach is accessible to visitors who choose to stop off on Île Cézembre on a beautiful sunny day. Once fortified by the German army, the entire northern part of the island is off-limits for security reasons. Wild and uninhabited, it has the best-facing beach on the entire coast, with its southern exposure. Shuttles from Saint-Malo run daily in season, tide permitting. Today, there is a footpath on the island, but beware, it’s a special place for birds.

The Chausey Islands, an archipelago of granite

The Chausey Islands archipelago is the largest archipelago in Europe. It comprises 365 islets at low tide and 52 at high tide. The tidal range in the archipelago can reach 14 metres during high tides, giving the landscape a lunar appearance when the sea is low.

Grande Île, the main island, can be reached by shuttle from Saint-Malo when the weather is fine. Once there, you’ll be totally disconnected, as there are no cars. Nature, the sea and magnificent white sandy beaches are the stars of the picture postcard. You can spend the day here or make the pleasure last by treating yourself to a night in the island’s only hotel.