Bon-Secours swimming pool

The natural pool you see below in front of you is a powerful image of Bon-Secours Beach. Filled with seawater and highly appreciated by swimmers, its history dates back to the 1930s. Between the two World Wars, seaside tourism boomed across Europe, and Saint-Malo was no exception. If you check out postcards from back then, you’ll see that the beaches were way busier than they are today. Well, it is true that that those old bathing offices with deckchairs and changing cabins took up a lot more space than a mere beach towel. At Bon Secours Beach, Mr. René Lesaunier ran the bathing office. He was quite the resourceful man, always finding ways to keep his customers happy. He offered swimming lessons and even set up fresh water showers connected to the city’s water supply. But René had a problem: the tides. Tired of losing customers to neighboring beaches when the tide pulled the sea too far out he decided to build a Pool at Bon Secours so that bathing there was always available. People thought he was crazy, but René Lesaunier wasn’t carzy at all; he was as tenacious as he was persevering, and his pool, which has traversed the century to reach you, is proof of that. It has become a part of Saint-Malo’s scenery, reminding us of the heyday of seaside vacations. Plus, it’s an amazing spot for sunset shots, with Dinard in the background. You’ll thank me for the tip later if you swing by in the evening! But for now, let’s stick to the ramparts – there’s still plenty to see!