10 Top French Beaches

Don’t assume that paradise-like beaches are all on exotic islands. You can find a lot of decent beach locations quite closer — in France. Beaches here are so nice, diverse and unexpectedly interesting that you should obviously visit them: at least a few, if not all of them.

[p title="Plage de la Côte des Basques (Biarritz, Aquitaine)"]

A well-known summer vacation location for royals and celebrities like Ernest Hemingway who stayed in the famous Hotel du Palais and liked it so much that included it in the route of the heroes of his The Sun Also Rises. Not it is the capital of shopping and surfing. The wild beaches in Basque country along the Bay of Biscay are also very popular with surfers thanks to their easy, safe-for-beginners waves.

Deauville Beach (Deauville, Normandy)

Who do you think cemented Deauville’s resort reputation? None other than incredible Coco Chanel, who opened her first boutique here in 1913. Being inspired by the local beach, the public and the sea theme, the great mademoiselle made a usual sailor’s striped vest to be the must-have. Now this is a kind of “Deauville’s uniform” obligatory for every woman of fashion walking down the town’s boardwalk lined with cute boutiques and respectable tourists.

Antibes Beaches (Côte d'Azur)

About halfway between Cannes and Nice, Antibes is the secrete pearl of the Côte d’Azur. Being a peninsula that juts out into the sea, providing tourists with numerous snow-white sandy beaches, sun-warmed water and embankments for romantic walks.

Les Calanques de Cassis (Provence)

Calanques are in fact Provençal fjords: long, thin beaches lined by limestone rocks with such special features as white rocks, snow-white sand and soft-blue clear water. But the beach near the village of Cassis surrounded by cedar forests and vineyards is beyond competition. Sea excursions to outlandish fjords start here.

Prado Beaches (Marseille, Provence)

If you prefer your beach holiday combined with a city rest, go to Marseille, the second-biggest city in France, and spend a day at the Prado Beaches. A group of splendid three beaches is easy to reach from the city center and great both for families with kids (with everything for children, even an observation wheel) and for romantic couples. Find an exact replica of Michelangelo’s David, which is a favorite selfie spot.

Pampelonne Beach (St.-Tropez, Côte d'Azur)

St.-Tropez is a synonym of elegance and glamour, but you don’t have to put on a tux or evening gown to go there. Pampelonne Beach is quite democratic in this respect and you will definitely find a place for yourself. The beach has everything from five-star hotels to secluded areas where you can swim in the nude.

Île de Ré

You will find another popular beach off the western coast of France, in the Bay of Biscay, Île de Ré island. Locals called Île de Ré the “White Island” due to its soft, white sand. Walk along the white sand carpet and make lots of selfie near the now-abandoned German bunker from World War II .

Palombaggia Beach (Porto Vecchio, Corsica)

Located between France and Italy, the island of Corsica feels like it belongs in two nations at once, so their culture and spirit are mixed in an explosive cocktail. You should drop in Porto-Vecchio located on the southern coast facing Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea and visit Palombaggia Beach to enjoy deep-blue water; pink-tinted sand, and gentle afternoon breezes.

Palavas-les-Flots (Montpellier, Occitania)

Palavas-les-Flots, the beach so beloved by the French that it has a song about it in the Oscar-nominated cartoon The Triplets of Belleville, is located on a narrow peninsula about four miles from Montpellier. Palavas-les-Flots is an easy place where you can rent a kayak, sign up for sailing lessons or try your hand at kite surfing. 

[q] Palavas-les-Flots is an easy place where you can rent a kayak or sign up for sailing lessons[/q]

[p title="Paloma Beach (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Côte d'Azur) "]

The Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula near Nice is a recreation area for Europe’s elites:  there is the Rothschilds’ estate with sprawling gardens and a beach named for Paloma Picasso, the daughter of the artist. Walk a steep staircase down to the rocky shore and be awarded with incredible sea views that were practically created for your Instagram.