For your next stay in Brittany, check into a Saint Malo hotel and discover the island of Grand Bé! Grand Bé is an uninhabited island located 400 meters north-west of Saint-Malo, at the mouth of the Rance river, at the foot of the ramparts, not far from another much smaller island called Petit Bé.
Grand Bé, Chateaubriand's last home
The famous writer François-René de Chateaubriand, who died in 1848, is buried on the island of Grand Bé, near the edge of the cliff. Chateaubriand had expressed his wish to be buried there in a request sent to the mayor of Saint-Malo in 1828. For various political reasons, his request was not immediately granted. It was only in 1836, after the intervention of a poet from Saint-Malo who was an admirer of Chateaubriand, that the town council authorized the writer to have his tomb erected on the west side of the islet. His tomb, surmounted by a large granite cross facing the ocean, bears no inscription. However, a commemorative plaque, affixed in front of the tomb in 1948, bears the words: "A great French writer wished to rest here, to hear only the sea and the wind, passing respecting his last wish". Chateaubriand's tomb has been listed as a historic monument since 1954.
Grand bé during World War II
In 1942, the Germans took possession of the islet and set up an artillery battery consisting of four casemates to protect the bay of Saint-Malo. When American troops liberated the city, Saint Malo intramuros on August 14, 1944 and the island of Grand Bé on August 16, 1944, they had to bomb the islet on numerous occasions.
Visit to the island of Grand Bé
At low tide, thanks to a stone passageway, Grand Bé can be reached on foot, crossing the beach at Bon Secours. The islet is mainly visited to discover the tomb of the famous writer, but it's also an opportunity to take a romantic or family walk and enjoy the fresh air and magnificent views. We recommend consulting the tide tables to avoid getting stuck on the islet, especially on high tide days. As a precaution, due to strong currents, you should absolutely avoid trying to get there when the water is less than 10 metres from the stone passage.
L'hôtel de la Cité - A charming hotel in Saint Malo
For your weekend in St-Malo, the Hotel de la Cité will give you a warm welcome and meet your expectations in terms of comfort and hospitality. This budget St-Malo hotel has many rooms with a beautiful view of the English Channel and is located in St-Malo intramuros, allowing you to discover the city on foot.
