Écluse Beach
Belle Époque stripes, golden sand, blue Atlantic views
About
Plage de l'Écluse is Dinard's showpiece beach — a sheltered granite cove stretching roughly 500 metres of golden sand along the northern Brittany coast. The blue water stays calm enough for safe swimming, and the tidal rhythm gives the beach a different character every few hours. What sets it apart is the living postcard backdrop: striped bathing tents have lined this shore since the 1890s, and the Belle Époque Casino de Dinard watches over the whole scene from just 100 metres away. It's romantic, it's historic, and it's busy — especially in July and August.
How to get there
From Dinard centre, the beach is a five-minute drive. A seasonal ferry from Saint-Malo crosses the Rance estuary in around ten minutes, making it easy to combine both towns in one day. Paid parking is available close to the beach, with some free options further away near the market — roughly a ten-minute walk. No entry fee for the beach itself.
Who it's for
For couples
The combination of the Belle Époque casino backdrop, the striped tents, and the sheltered cove makes this one of the most romantic beach settings in northern France — an evening stroll along the promenade as the tide comes in is hard to beat.
For families
The beach is officially rated safe for swimming, access is flat with a beach mat available in season for pushchairs and mobility aids, and the calm sheltered cove means younger swimmers aren't fighting swell — just remind the kids the water is cold even in summer.
Our take
Plage de l'Écluse is safe to swim, well-serviced, and genuinely unlike most beaches in France — the striped tents and casino backdrop aren't a theme park recreation, they're the real thing, running continuously since the 1890s. The water is cold; 18°C is the ceiling, not the floor, so go in prepared. The beach gets busy in high summer, and August without a pre-booked bathing tent means you're watching other people's nostalgia from the promenade. Come in June or early September for the atmosphere without the squeeze. The ferry link to Saint-Malo turns a beach day into a proper Brittany itinerary. It's a resort beach with genuine history behind it — and that's rarer than it sounds.
What to do
The Casino de Dinard, a genuine Belle Époque landmark, sits just 100 metres from the waterline and is worth a look even if you don't gamble. From the beach, a seasonal ferry whisks you across to Saint-Malo Intra-Muros in about ten minutes — the walled city is one of Brittany's great set-pieces. Three kilometres away, the Barrage de la Rance is the world's first tidal power station and open to visitors, a surprisingly fascinating half-day detour.
The iconic row of candy-striped bathing tents with the Belle Époque casino rising behind them is the defining shot — best at low tide in early morning light.
The ferry approach from Saint-Malo gives a rare wide view of the golden sand cove and the Dinard seafront in a single frame.
Where to eat
Coté Plage and Le Cent80 are both within 200 metres of the sand and are the obvious choices for a post-swim meal. Breizh Café, a short 300-metre walk away, is a solid option for Breton crêpes done properly. Taratata and Potelé are also within 300 metres if you want something more casual.
Where to stay
Hôtel Printania, 400 metres from the beach, is the closest option and fits the resort's historic character well. Hôtel Balmoral is 500 metres away for a slightly different feel. If you want to stay on the Saint-Malo side, Hôtel Quic en Groigne and Hôtel d'Aleth are both reachable via the ferry.
Photography
The best shot on this beach is the row of striped bathing tents at low tide with the Casino de Dinard framed behind them — arrive early morning before the beach fills up for clean light and empty sand. The ferry crossing from Saint-Malo also gives a striking wide-angle view of the cove and the Dinard seafront together.
Good to know
Book your bathing tent rental well in advance if you're visiting in August — they sell out fast and walk-ins aren't guaranteed. Dogs are prohibited on the beach during the season, so leave them at the accommodation. The water temperature rarely exceeds 18°C even at the height of summer, so a wetsuit or at least a rash vest will make a real difference. Avoid November through February: the bathing tent infrastructure closes, storms roll in, and the resort atmosphere disappears entirely.
Map
Nearby places
Hôtel Printania
Hôtel Balmoral
Les Tilleuls
Hôtel Quic en Groigne
Hôtel d'Aleth
Things to see around Dinard
Casino de Dinard
Historic Belle Époque casino overlooking the beach.
Saint-Malo Intra-Muros
Walled city accessible by ferry across the Rance estuary.
Barrage de la Rance
World's first tidal power station on the Rance estuary, open to visitors.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
Other romantic beaches in France
More beaches in Brittany
Reviews of this beach
- No reviews yet, what a shame — leave yours and share your experience.
Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Jean-Louis Vandevivère from Paris, France · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 2 — Dude Pascalou · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 3 — Dude Pascalou · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 4 — https://flickr.com/people/59067924@N00/ · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 5 — sergei.gussev · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 6 — sergei.gussev · source · CC BY 2.0