15 of the Best Beaches in France

Best Beaches in France! France is famous for its capital, rich history, rare art collections, historical and modern architecture. You will also find great beaches here in combination with crystal clear water and interesting nature.

France, renowned for its diverse landscapes, offers several beautiful beaches along its extensive coastline. The French Riviera, also known as the Côte d’Azur, is famous for its glamorous beaches, such as Pampelonne Beach in Saint-Tropez and Paloma Beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Normandy’s Étretat beach captivates with its stunning cliffs and dramatic scenery. Corsica boasts picturesque beaches like Palombaggia and Rondinara, with crystal-clear waters and golden sands. Finally, Biarritz in the Basque Country is a surfing hotspot with its beautiful sandy beaches, attracting surfers from around the world. Whether seeking luxury, natural beauty, or water sports, France’s beaches promise a delightful escape for beach lovers.

France is a country of castles, it would be a pitty not to stay in one!

Château de Mercuès, Hotels in France

There are lots of castles in France you will want to visit, but there are a few you can even spend a night at!

Book a 13th-century room e.g. at Château de Mercuès and make your France expedition a special one!

Feel like a royal (regardless of your blood’s colour) at this 13th-century castle!

The country offers both hidden coves where you will be all alone but also vast sandy beaches that are filled with crowds of people. You’ll feel like you are on the beaches of the Caribbean in many places! Let’s take a look at some of the most beautiful French beaches!

Best Beaches in France

1. Plage de Saleccia, Corse-du-Nord

This beach has sparse vegetation and long stretches of white sand that you can walk along to witness this place’s incredible scenery. You can take a ferry to get here from the mainland, and it doesn’t take that long.

The dunes really add a lot to the landscape here, making it one of the very best beaches in France. It really is a paradise in every sense of the word, offering a great place to go swimming or just soak up some rays on the sand. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/SSWGZ8MEEkprWBJn6

2. Porquerolles, Var

The island of Porquerolles has many juniper bushes and trails that you can walk through to see just how stunning this place really is. When you visit you will quickly find that it is a popular place for people to take their boats.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are two other very popular water activities here. This is an excellent destination for a day trip with the family or if you are travelling solo. The water is always very clear, and the weather is beautiful year-round. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pfRKVd5wCD189v9e8

3. Plage de Trouville-sur-Mer, Calvados

The boardwalk on this Normandy beach has numerous restaurants, cafes and bars to offer. The beach itself has over 2 miles of golden sandy shore. There are some local resorts that you can stay at while you are here as well.

It is a really ideal spot, especially for those who love spending time in nature. If you want to soak up the best scenery of France, this beach is one of your best options. There are also mansions on the boardwalk that date back to the early 19th century. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/AZ8SePukzmExJ6Kr9

4. Plage de l’Espiguette, Le Grau-du-Roi

Plage de l’Espiguette is another incredibly gorgeous natural wonder that this country has to offer. It has a very versatile landscape with dunes, dense vegetation, marshes and even lagoons. You will definitely love spending time here, and there is a fun resort area.

It is the perfect combination of modern civilization and raw natural beauty. If you are going to visit France, you should really try to come here for the day. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/UqjSnoJ9KPYk2BwC8

5. Plage de l’Almanarre, Var

This area’s sandy beach seems to stretch on forever, offering a breathtaking view of the sun setting later in the day. The remote location of this beach makes it even more striking. It is a popular spot for windsurfing, snorkelling and diving.

It is also great for just swimming a little bit in between tanning on the shore. The choppiness of the water fluctuates quite a bit, and it can be ideal for surfing as well. There are quite a few homes in the area, and the natives enjoy the scenery just as much as the tourists. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/VUpWv1BYDntLrAyc6

6. Palombaggia, Corse-du-Sud

Palombaggia has incredible white sand beaches and clay-coloured rocks spread out all over the place. The crystal clear blue waters make this beach excellent for scuba diving. There are even some coves that you can go and explore.

The trails along the coast will provide you with the perfect way to spend time in nature while you are here. There are pine forests on the far side of the beach that you can always take a stroll through. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nSCvc797CzSm483f9

7. La Paloma, Alpes-Maritimes

La Paloma has some great hiking paths that will take you through the dense vegetation and foliage this beach has to offer. The water is usually pretty smooth, making it ideal for swimming, kayaking, snorkelling and diving. Windsurfing is a very popular water sport in this particular area as well.

You will find a lot of yachts nearby in the bay, and launch goes between the boats and beach to deliver food and drinks. This is a very popular tourist spot, so prepare to contend with some serious crowds while you are here. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/WddQBkXwgL44dyP97

8. Grande Plage de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrenees-Atlantiques

This charming little bay makes for a wonderful place to take a nice relaxing dip, and you won’t have to worry about surfers all over the place. It is a very low-key spot that is perfect if you are tired of the city and need a break.

It is part of a local resort, so you can expect to be pampered in the nicest possible fashion. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/uCqe4ffd6RgdgiFv9

9. Conche des Baleines, Charente-Maritime

This island has a lot to offer, including excellent swimming and superb windsurfing. Lots of people take their sailboats here because the sailing is top-notch. There is a long stretch of golden sandy shore that you can walk along to look out at the crystal clear blue waters.

It is a truly idyllic place, and you can rent a bike to get around. It is the perfect way to get some exercise while enjoying everything this area has to offer. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rgQ51VYfJy1pCZtY8

10. Roccapina Plage, Corse-du-Sud

Corsica has some of the best beaches in all of France, so you should strongly consider visiting while you are in this country. Its limestone rock formations and unpaved roads give it a rugged charm that you are bound to fall in love with very quickly.

It is a great place to enjoy a swim or some snorkelling. It can get fairly crowded in the summer months, but off-peak season leaves it a very peaceful place to relax. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/GXuqw2mYnEMqwTyy8

11. Plage d’Hendaye, Pyrenees-Atlantiques

The long stretch of soft golden sand and clear blue waters make this beach another spot that you should seriously consider visiting. Its shallow waters make swimming a popular water sport, though there is much more to do.

You will find some nice restaurants and bars on the boardwalk, and the food is excellent. This place makes for one excellent day trip from wherever you happen to be staying. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/h3K1g8L2pzv8oHPJ7

12. Plage du Chay, Charente-Maritime

France has a lot of beaches to offer, but this one is special in a number of ways. Firstly, it has an amazing resort on the north end that offers all the modern conveniences you could ask for.

Secondly, its limestone cliffs will provide you with a gorgeous rugged landscape. This is an extremely popular beach for surfing, so be aware of that if you are planning a trip. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ok2Hbo8mjPGuh4yV9

13. Plage de Morgat, Finistere

Plage de Morgat can be found in Armorica Regional Natural Park, which offers some truly amazing scenery, to say the least. This beach has a white sandy shore that seems to stretch on forever. Its calm waters make it the perfect spot for surfing, kayaking, swimming and so much more.

The fairly isolated location makes it very peaceful and a perfect getaway spot for those who want to escape from the city for a while. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ckqaDyZKYbhq3uog9

14. Grande Plage Les Sables d’Olonne, Vendee

This beach has been growing steadily for over two hundred years, and it is now a popular spot for tourists from all over the world. It has a very nice promenade and is home to many artists.

If you are looking for a huge beach that is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, this one has much to offer. It is usually crowded in the summer, but that is just to be expected. There is still a lot of room to spread out and get away from most of the tourists. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QDWfzPBGR3cM4c3aA

15. Argeles-sur-Mer, Purenees-Orientales

This is by far the longest beach in Pyrenees-Orientales, and it is made up of different sections that each has its own unique name. It goes all the way from the resort’s marina to the nature reserve on the north end.

If you are looking for a nice quiet beach where you can get away from all the tourist hustle and bustle, this is the perfect destination. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/U5rSEvQXRo62BTNZ7

In France, there are countless captivating destinations that showcase its rich history, art, culture, and natural beauty. Start with the iconic city of Paris, home to the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Explore the charming villages of Provence, known for their lavender fields and picturesque landscapes. Discover the historic city of Avignon, with its stunning Palais des Papes and ancient bridges.

Head to the beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley, such as Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. Don’t miss the stunning coastline of the French Riviera, with its glamorous cities like Nice and Cannes. Finally, immerse yourself in the gastronomic delights of Lyon and Bordeaux, known for their world-class cuisine and wine. With its diverse attractions and romantic ambiance, France promises an unforgettable journey filled with cultural treasures and cherished memories.