Petit Bé, Military fort on tidal island in Saint-Malo, France
Petit Bé is a stone fort built on a tidal island near Saint-Malo with a horseshoe-shaped design. The structure features 19 gun embrasures facing the water and two half-bastions that guard the entrance.
Built in 1689 under engineer Siméon Garangeau's direction, the fort was part of Vauban's system to defend Saint-Malo from sea attacks. It served as a critical position to prevent enemy ships from approaching the harbor.
The fort reflects how people in the 17th century fortified their coastline against danger. Walking through its layout shows the practical way islanders built defenses around their living spaces to protect their harbor.
Access depends on tide schedules since the fort is only reachable on foot from Bon-Secours beach during low tide. Visitors should check tide times before planning a visit to ensure there is enough time for a safe crossing.
The fort originally had 15 cannon positions that worked together with Fort Harbourg to protect the mouth of the Rance River. This paired defense system shows how carefully the coastline was guarded against intruders.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
