Anchorage

Cézembre Sud

Shelter: NW, N
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand anchorage on the south side of Île de Cézembre, 2.5 NM WNW of Saint-Malo in the Rance estuary approaches.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the east via the Grande Conchée channel, keeping clear of the Bizeux cardinal and the Grand Jardin lighthouse. Drop on sand south of the island in 3 to 8 m at low water springs. Shelter from NW and N; fully exposed to S and SE. Tidal streams run strongly on the flood and ebb.

Practical

Mooring forain only. The north and east shores of Cézembre are closed to landing and swimming due to unexploded ordnance from 1944; only the south beach is accessible. Port des Bas-Sablons at Saint-Servan is 2.5 NM SE, Dinard yacht harbour 2.7 NM S, both with full services.

History

Cézembre was fortified by Vauban in 1692 as part of the outer defences of Saint-Malo. During the 1944 Battle of Saint-Malo the German garrison held out on the island until 2 September after intensive Allied bombing, which left the north face contaminated by unexploded shells still marked on SHOM charts.