France is one of the Western European countries that has been able to attract many tourists due to its rich culture and many attractions. France is a great destination all year long, but if you’re seeking the perfect summer getaway, look no further. You may choose between Northern France’s world-class resorts and the beautiful French Riviera in the south. This country has beautiful and extraordinary beaches in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Below, we will introduce France’s most impressive and beautiful beaches.
Top 20 beaches in France
Due to its extensive coastline that borders the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel, France has been endowed with an astounding diversity of beaches. The following list lists 20 of France’s most stunning beaches and options.
- Plage De Palombaggia
- Pampelonne Beach, Saint Tropez
- Étretat Beach, Normandy
- Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Notre Dame Beach, Ille De Porquerolles
- La Grande Plage, Biarritz
- Calanque De Port Pin, Marseille
- L’espiguette Beach, Montpellier
- Le Touquet Beach, Pas De Calais
- Calais Beach, Pas De Calais
- Deauville Beach, Normandy
- Plage De Boutrouilles, Brittany
- La Conche Des Baleines, Aquitaine
- Lacanau Beach, Aquitaine
- Plage Palavas Les Flots, Occitanie
- Plage De L’amour, Paca
- Côte de Granit Rose, Brittany
- Antibes Beaches, Antibes
- Prado Beach, Marseille
- Mare e Sole
Plage de Palombaggia
Corsican beaches provide the ideal Mediterranean setting with their azure waves, pine tree shadows, and extensive lengths of sand. One of the top beaches in France is frequently chosen as Porto Vecchio’s Palombaggia Beach. This well-known beach is more than a kilometer long and is divided into numerous regions by beautiful white sand. Plenty of amenities, water sports, and activities are available on the beach. Additionally accessible is the Cala di Lume section of the beach. The beach has areas that are non-smoking and allows pets.
The beach is easily accessible by automobile and is situated 20 minutes from Porto Vecchio and 40 minutes from Bonifacio. Buses go through the region throughout the summer.
Pampelonne Beach, Saint Tropez
One of the most well-known tourist sites in France is Pampelonne Beach, which is frequently connected to the legendary Saint Tropez of the Cote d’Azur. This well-liked beach is well-known for being a lively party location with clubs and beach bars. It’s also well recognized for having a lot of famous people and expensive yachts. The beach has excellent white sand and is around 5 kilometres long.
It has every conceivable amenity, such as public restrooms, showers, security personnel, fine dining restaurants, and shops selling a variety of water activities. However, if you go to Pampelonne Beach in the summer, be prepared for significant crowds.
Etretat Beach, Normandy
One of the most well-liked seaside locations in Northwestern France is Étretat, which is renowned for its white cliffs and iconic arches. A sandy beach that is popular with surfers is located under the cliffs. But for generations, this lovely shoreline has drawn artists like Claude Monet and Gustave Courbet. Additionally, it was mentioned in Arsene Lupin’s book The Hollow Needle. The area with the most well-known landscape is devoid of services, but the main beach is equipped with everything you want.
Careful hiking or boating are the best ways to explore the Etretat cliffs and get to the beach. It is advised that you heed the warnings and signs, as climbing the cliffs without protection could be hazardous.
Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Among the most valuable treasures of the French Riviera is Paloma Plage in France. The beach is tucked away in a lovely cove with a dense pine forest. However, a portion of it is a private beach connected to the renowned Paloma Beach restaurant, which is recognized for its delectable Mediterranean cuisine. Easter to the end of September is the restaurant’s seasonal opening period. The beach welcomes families and provides several amenities including showers, lounge chairs, umbrellas, changing rooms, etc. Numerous water sports are also available.
If you’re simply visiting the public portion of the beach, the beach restaurant offers a shuttle service to the town, but you may also use bus line 81. In the event that you arrive by car, there is a parking area as well.
Notre Dame Beach, Ille de Porquerolles
Another popular summer vacation spot in France is the island of Porquerolles. When discussing Porquerolles beaches, mention is frequently made of Notre Dame Beach among other fantastic beaches. It is surrounded by a thick, shade-giving pine forest and is comprised of golden sand. Although there are few amenities immediately on the beach, it is appropriate for families with young children. However, its size and isolation make it perfect for picnics, swimming, and other outdoor activities away from the throng. The best ways to get to the beach, roughly 3 kilometers from Porquerolles’ center, are by foot or bicycle.
La Grande Plage, Biarritz
Biarritz’s main beach is the most often captured location in the Basque Region. Travelers claim it is also considered one of Europe’s top beaches. Additionally, Biarritz’s beach and surrounding coast are well-known for its surfing. Visitors can try to conquer the waves with assistance from specialists in a surfing school as the waves here can reach heights of three meters.
Other amenities including pubs and restaurants are nearby in addition to the water activities. The beach is conveniently near Biarritz’s heart and is reachable by public transportation.
Calanque de Port Pin, Marseille
The deep, well-protected Calanque de Port Pin is symmetrical to the Calanque d’En-Vau on the opposite side. It is part of the Calanques National Park and is among the most famous tourist attractions in this region of France. The terrain is made up of sand, pebbles, and boulders, and it is bordered by a beautiful green pine forest that gives plenty of shade. The sea here is incredibly clear and calm, making it ideal for both children and adults. It should be noted that there are no amenities close the swimming area.
However, getting to the beach is a bit tricky. The descent to the beach is treacherous due to the slick pebbles. Another alternative is to reach the beach by boat.
L’Espiguette Beach, Montpellier
Montpellier beaches are frequently a prominent choice for travelers looking for the ideal Mediterranean resort. Plage de l’Espiguette is a long, wide sandy beach that runs over 18 kilometers. The beach is mostly wild, but there are rental choices and a few eateries nearby. Nudists have their own section of the beach. Overall, if you’re searching for a large space to yourself, you’ll find it here. The beach is only a few kilometers from Montpellier; however, you may stay in Port Camargue. Taking public transportation to and from Montpellier is simple.
Le Touquet Beach, Pas de Calais
In the English Channel, on the other side of the UK, is the coastal community of Le Touquet. The main ferry port in Northern France, Calais, draws attention from the whole area. Le Touquet’s beach is broad and roomy, yet it’s also a well-known upscale resort. Due to the beach’s proximity to Paris, many residents of the city visit with their families to unwind. There are several amenities close by and a lot of amenities at the beach. It is enjoyable year-round, whether for long hikes or swimming.
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage can be reached in a variety of ways. The beach includes a parking lot, so you may drive there as well as take the train from London to Paris.
Calais Beach, Pas de Calais
Along with Le Touquet Beach, the main beach in Calais is a well-known site with views of the English Channel and the UK. In addition to being made of sand and being close to the harbor, the beach includes towering dunes. The beach offers a range of activities such as kiddie playgrounds, sports fields, pubs, and restaurants in addition to having a lifeguard and being handicapped accessible. Because it is close to the city core of Calais, the beach is easily accessible. There is parking at the beach, so you can simply get there by car.
Deauville Beach, Normandy
Deauville’s beach, with its beautiful, golden sand and colorful umbrellas, is one of the best in Normandy. The beach villas along the promenade that bear the names of actors and directors reflect the resort’s star-studded events, such as the American Film Festival. In addition to the dazzling attraction, take advantage of the excellent old-world hotels, galleries, hip shops, and golf courses around.
The first game of polo was played in Deauville in 1880, and it is a major deal there. Experience a season at the Deauville International Polo Club with some of the top players in the world. After a fun-filled day at the beach and relaxing at the Deauville Yacht Club, dress up for a night at the beautiful Casino Barrière de Deauville.
Plage De Boutrouilles, Brittany
Take a beach vacation close to the Plage de Boutrouilles shoreline to experience breathtaking vistas of untamed dunes and rock formations. As you wander amid the enormous granite rocks that dot the picture, you can see the beautiful white sand of Kerlouan’s coastline contrast with the iridescent water.
Discover Kerlouan’s rural attractions after taking a stroll on the wild side of the shore. A 17th-century coast guard’s cabin and artisan stores may be found in the hamlet of Memeham, which is surrounded by sandy meadows. Small, thatched-roof homes belonging to fisherman are nestled amid stones.
La Conche Des Baleines, Aquitaine
Spending your vacation on the Île de Ré will make it simple to locate sandy beaches in France. La Conche des Baleines is one of the island’s most stunning beaches, with a lengthy expanse of sand surrounded by pine trees and picturesque dunes.
Rent a bike to continue your exploration and ride through quaint towns, flower meadows, and bird-filled nature preserves. Eat some of the delicious fish on the island when you’re hungry. Try the local oysters and mussels, and pair them with a crisp white wine.
Lacanau Beach, Aquttaine
Looking for the closest beaches to Bordeaux? Lacanau Beach is one of them, with around 15 kilometers of beautiful white sand. On a beach vacation, there isn’t much you can’t do. Surfing, windsurfing, and eating with views of the glittering ocean are all popular pastimes.
If you go in August, you’ll watch the world’s best surfers compete in the Lacanau pro surf tournament. This laid-back coastal village provides a pedestrianised area full with cafés, pubs, and quaint stores for souvenirs. There are bike routes that wind through the pine trees, as well as a tranquil lake for kayaking.
Plage Palavaas Les Flots, Occttanie
Plage Palavas les flots is one of many kilometers of beaches that make up the well-known coastal town of the same name, which is located on the beautiful Languedoc coast. Renting a bike can transport you to the centre of Montpellier in approximately an hour. Before exploring the town, take a plunge in the Mediterranean and unwind at one of the hotels that surround the beach.
Plage De L’Amour, Paca
There are several coves in the Gulf of St. Tropez, from Plage de L’Escalet to Cap Taillat, rather than just one beach. As you go down the coast, you will come across a number of little beaches that will invite you to visit their shores. Plage de l’Amour, located roughly in the center and ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding, is the perfect area for leisure.
Take a lunch and spend the entire day exploring the walk’s hidden corners. Additionally, climb Cap Taillat for expansive views of the bay. For those seeking the utmost in tranquility, Plage de Briande is a secluded cove tucked away on the opposite side.
Côte de Granit Rose, Brittany
The Pink Granite Coast, commonly known as the Côte de Granit Rose, is a singular section of Brittany’s northwest coast. Here, the beach is dotted with stunning granite rock formations. The geology, which includes massive rose gold stones and weathered pink sand, contrasts brilliantly with the gray sea foam.
Antibes Beaches, Antibes
There are several tourist-friendly beaches in Antibes, a picturesque seaside town located between Nice and Cannes. Antibes, which is charmingly situated in the mouth of the Bay of Angels, is where you’ll discover more sandy beaches with pure white sand and less pebbled beaches.
The most well-known beaches of Antibes include Juan-les-Pins Beach, Plage de la Gravette, Plage Ponteil, Plage du Salis, Plage du Fort Carre, and Biot. Additionally, these tourist destinations feature both public and private resorts. These beaches have walls and glisten with the grandeur of old-world charm, brimming with medieval architecture, antique buildings, exclusive beach clubs, and watersports.
Prado Beach, Marseille
Prado Beach in the Marseille area of South France is an excellent choice for a family holiday. Take a leisurely stroll along the Mediterranean shore, try sailing, kayaking, or snorkeling; Prado Beach has a variety of activities for adventure seekers. There is an open parkland Parc Balnéaire located by the shore for those who want to relax in the open air.
Mare e Sole
Another popular area for beautiful beaches is the area surrounding Ajaccio on the west coast of Corsica. One such beach is the idyllic Plage de Mare e Sole, which has a pine-covered backdrop with transparent seas and fine powdery sands.