When we think of beaches in France, the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur region immediately springs to mind. These are the beaches that have given southern France its glamorous reputation as a prime Mediterranean seaside playground. This is only a small part of France’s long coastline, though. It offers plenty more beaches of all varieties.
Your guide to the most popular beaches in France: choosing the best
You’ll find it hard to pick the best beaches in France, given the diverse range in its many coastal regions. Dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches await you on the north coast, while the Bay of Biscay on the long west coast has a mix of rocky beaches and those made of pink sand. The popular French Riviera is known as the Côte d’Azur and is famous for its sunny Mediterranean beaches, which are some of the most desirable of the France beaches. beaches in France So, – so let’s explore them.
Best beaches near Nice: French Riviera
This part of the southern French coast is synonymous with long golden beaches, gorgeous hot weather, and Mediterranean sunsets. The French Riviera is known worldwide as the playground of the rich and famous. Its glamorous Cote d’Azur is home to celebrated resorts like Cannes and Saint-Tropez, and these are all equally accessible to everyday tourists.
You can fly directly to Nice, and roughly halfway from there to Cannes lies the splendid beach resort of Antibes. It’s on a small peninsula and has fabulous sandy beaches that are a terrific choice for sun-tanning spots. Alternatively, drive from Nice to Paloma Beach on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. Once a very exclusive place, you can walk down the rocky shoreline to this beach, named after Pablo Picasso’s daughter.
One of the most sought-after resort destinations in this area is Pampelonne Beach in Saint-Tropez. This stretch offers the entire gamut, from the height of luxury to discreet naturalist beaches. Nearby Cavalaire-sur-Mer Beach is more suited to water sports like snorkelling and kayaking and is also a wonderful family-friendly beach.
Best beaches near Marseille: Provence region
Marseille lies in the Provence region adjacent to the French Riviera, a continuation of the southern French coastline to the west. Les Calanques de Cassis is one of the beautiful small inlets with azure water that make up the geography here. Lined with natural limestone cliffs, the most eye-catching “calanques” are those near the town of Cassis, so going there for sightseeing is a must.
In Marseille itself, you’ll find the city’s Prado Beaches. There are three of them all close to the city centre. As you may expect, these are busy beaches, especially in high season, but they are large and have many facilities for families and children. They’re really easy to get to and well-organised with refreshment outlets.
You’ll also be close to the Camargue delta, where the Rhône River reaches the Mediterranean. This is a protected wetland area with long sandy beaches that are good for walking, as long as you observe the regulations. You can spot plenty of aquatic birdlife here. If you prefer unspoilt beaches, these are some of the best beaches in France for that.
Best beaches near Montpellier: Occitanie region
The Occitanie region incorporates what was known as the Languedoc region. This is an area comprising some of the prized beaches in France. Montpellier is the main city in the region, so make it your base from which to explore in your hire care. The beaches are family-friendly and well-run.
A few miles from Montpellier is Palavas-les-Flots. It’s one of the most-loved beaches among the French themselves – so traditionally popular that there are songs about it. It’s a good beach for swimming, sun-tanning and activities like kite-surfing. You can also take sailing lessons or hire a kayak.
Other more modern resorts in this region are Narbonne Plage, Cap d’Agde and Palavas. These beaches are interspersed with built-up areas and have modern tourist infrastructure. This is a long coastline, offering some of the most expansive sandy beaches in France that have been popular since the Sixties.
Best beaches near Bordeaux and Biarritz: Aquitaine region
The Aquitaine region has two main cities, Bordeaux and Biarritz. Both contribute their share of friendly and picturesque beaches in France. Many of these aren’t as touristy as those in other regions, making them a great choice for getting away from it all. This area is known as the Côte d’Argent, the Silver Coast of France.
Head to Plage de la Côte des Basques near Biarritz first. It is one of the most fabled beaches in France, immortalised in a Hemingway novel. It’s among the so-called “wild beaches of Biarritz”, in reference to their excellent surfing conditions. They’re not as scary as they sound, though – surfers of all levels will feel comfortable in the waves.
To see the highest sand dune in Europe, visit the Bay of Arcachon, about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux. Here, you’ll find Dune du Pilat, almost two miles long and over 300 feet high. The stretch of coast between Capbreton and the Gironde Estuary also has unbroken miles of natural beach. Some of these will require you to drive through forest tracks, but you’ll be well rewarded.
Best beaches near La Rochelle: Charentes region
This entire western coastal region of France lies on the Bay of Biscay. This part of the Atlantic coast is characterised by small villages and some of the longest sandy beaches in France. There are also plenty of resorts in and around the main city in the region, La Rochelle. It is also one of France’s most important port cities.
In La Rochelle itself, the main beach is Minimes Beach in the Charente-Maritime area. It’s a family-friendly beach with a pine forest at one end. It’s a safe, monitored beach with limited mobility facilities at three separate stations. A small section of the beach is reserved for water sports where swimming isn’t allowed.
If you drive a short way south, you’ll find the seaside resort of Châtelaillon-Plage. It has miles of unspoilt beach, a promenade for snacks and drinks and is a very family-friendly beach with calm waters. If you visit in early summer, you can catch the colourful Châtelaillon-Plage Wind and Kite Festival.
Best beaches near Nantes: Vendée region
To the north of Charentes lies the Vendée region. The largest city here is Nantes, located a few miles from the coast where the River Loire empties into the Bay of Biscay at Saint-Nazaire. You’ll discover small seaside resorts that aren’t too built up yet still have all the basic tourist facilities, plus long stretches of open natural coastline.
Les Sables d’Olonne has what many have called the finest beaches in France. The Côte de Jade stretches about 17 miles from just south of the Loire estuary. It’s named for its almost translucent green waters. Saint Gilles Croix-de-Vie is another village worth visiting for its beaches, including Boisvinet Beach and Corniche Vendeén.
Alternatively, visit St. Jean de Monts, which has the wide sandy beach of Plage des Demoiselles. This is a well-developed seaside centre in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. It’s within an easy walk of the centre of town and is accessibility-designed. Choose the north side for action and excitement and the south for peace and quiet.
Best beaches in Brittany
Brittany is blessed with plenty of the scenic beaches in France, with Cap Coz the most prominent one. It’s actually a group of small beaches, allowing you to walk along the entire coastline of the Breton Riviera. Along the way, you’ll come across many sheltered coves with white sands and turquoise water.
You’ll also find one of the more unusual beaches in France in Brittany, Côte de Granit Rose, the “Pink Granite Coast”. Here you’ll see huge golden rocks that erode over time to create the beach’s famous pink sand. This beach is best experienced for its Atlantic views and scenery. However, swimming along this rugged stretch isn’t recommended.
Morgat Beach is another jewel on this coastline. With its crystal waters, it resembles a Caribbean beach more than a European one. It’s on the Crozon Peninsula, in the Armorique Regional Park. The closest major transport hub to reach these beaches is the city of Rennes, from where you can hire a car.
Best beaches in Normandy
Normandy is along the north coast of France. The beaches here usually feature plenty of sand dunes and long, flat stretches of sand. Sometimes, these are at the base of steep cliffs, making for dramatic backdrops. As you head further west towards the Calais area, the beaches become more pebbly.
Étretat is one of the most famous beaches in the Normandy area of France. It’s a pebble beach that mainly attracts surfers and yachting enthusiasts. It’s known for its arched rock formations and chalk cliffs. These stretch for around 80 miles and inspired many an artist to paint the landscape, including Claude Monet.
The other main tourist beach in the Normandy area is Deauville Beach. It’s the beach that Coco Chanel made famous by opening her first store of chic beach-inspired fashion here. It’s another well-organised beach, dotted with sun umbrellas ready for you to use. If you’re looking for the nearest beach to Paris, your best bet is to head to Normandy.
Best islands in France for beaches
A few islands just off the French coast also boast some of the most popular beaches in France. They’re easily accessible from the nearest French ports. The small islands just off the Giens Peninsula near Toulon are prime examples. Still, others are off the west coast in the Bay of Biscay.
Îles de Porquerolles is about five miles from the mainland. Here, you’ll find several lovely beaches. In the north is La Courtade Beach which is closest to the village of Porquerolles itself. Notre Dame Beach, also on the north coast, was named the most beautiful beach in Europe in 2015, so you shouldn’t miss that. Le Langoustier is a black sand beach, while Argent Beach is a well-developed tourist destination.
You can also visit Here Île de Ré, a short hop from La Rochelle on the Bay of Biscay. It is known as France’s favourite holiday island. Here, you’ll be in awe of the sweeping sands of Plage de la Conche des Baleines and the surf spot of Plage de Gros Jonc. Les Portes-en-Ré contains a cluster of beaches. These are mainly well-sheltered, like Plage du Trousse Chemise, and are among the best sandy beaches on France’s islands.
What is the nicest beach in France?
Opinions vary wildly among locals and tourists alike, but two beaches must make the shortlist of being the nicest in France. Pampelonne Beach is probably the most glamorous and famous, situated on the fabled Côte d’Azur. The other is La Courtade Beach on Porquerolles, officially acknowledged as one of Europe’s nicest beaches. These aren’t the only ones to look for, though.
Côte de Granit Rose is another of the nicest with its lovely pink sand and the sun reflecting off its golden rocks in the late afternoons. Palavas-les-Flots near Montpellier is also one of France’s most famous beaches. Immortalised in song, it holds a special place in French hearts.
Which part of France has the best beaches?
If you’re looking for the finest tourist resorts in France with the most lavish and popular beaches, head straight to the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur. Antibes and Paloma Beach are highlights here, the latter really close to Nice. These are great for swimming or lounging in the sun. Or visit Cavalaire-sur-Mer Beach if you want organised water sports and beach activities.
Where are the best sandy beaches in France?
The best sandy beaches are to be found either on the west coast of France, along the Bay of Biscay, or in the northern region of Normandy. Drive from Bordeaux to the wide, long, sandy beaches of the Bay of Arcachon. See the famous Dune du Pilat while you’re there, the largest sand dune in Europe. This region is known as the Côte d’Argent (the Silver Coast) on account of its sandy beaches.
Normandy offers equally long stretches of sandy beach, and here Deauville Beach is the most popular. The facilities are well-developed, and if it’s too busy for you, you can simply drive a few miles out to one of the more remote stretches on the Normandy coast. There are plenty of these to choose from.
Where is the best beach in the south of France?
Pampelonne Beach is usually acknowledged as the best beach in the south of France. It has it all: indulgent luxury, sun-soaked sands, plenty of watersport activities and stunning Mediterranean views. It’s situated in über-glamorous Saint-Tropez. If you find the main beach area a bit too crowded or commercial, slip away to one of the smaller beaches next to it, some of which are unspoilt naturalist beaches where you can enjoy freedom and privacy.
