12 Beautiful Beach Destinations in France You Can’t Miss
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If we told you to think about France, your mind would likely conjure images of historic Parisian streets and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. However, while Paris is France’s most popular tourist destination, the country has so much more to offer. For example, did you know France is home to some of the best beaches in Europe?
The French coastline is jam-packed with quaint coastal cities, towns, and villages offering long sandy beaches, warm crystal-clear waters, and beautiful waterfront restaurants. To learn more, here are 12 beautiful beach destinations in France that offer pristine beaches, sunshine, and relaxation.
Menton
We’ll kick things off with Menton, one of our favorite French destinations. This charming French Riviera town sits on the French-Italian border. It’s home to breathtaking pastel-colored architecture, mesmerizing beaches, and a historic port filled with character and French culture. You can take things slower in Menton, so relax, unwind, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.
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You’ll likely spend your days wandering through the town, exploring the Old Port, and sunbathing on Les Sablettes Beach. Les Sablettes Beach sits in front of the town, offering panoramic views, turquoise waters, and plenty of amenities. This includes upscale restaurants, sun loungers, and umbrellas.
Read also: White-Sand Beaches in Southern France
Nice
If you’re looking for a combination of a big-city lifestyle and Southern France’s coastal charm, you must visit Nice. Nice is a famous seaside city in a large bay along the Mediterranean Sea. Its location ensures visitors can experience Mediterranean weather, pristine beaches, and warm turquoise waters.
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Once a summer vacation destination for the European elite, Nice is home to 20 public and 15 private beaches, the most popular being Plage Publique de l’Opéra. When you’re not strolling along this beach or swimming in the sea, head into Nice to explore. You’ll find everything from museums and famous landmarks to authentic restaurants and designer shops in the city.
Read also: Surreal Places in Southern France
Corsica
Few people realize enjoying a Mediterranean island getaway in France is possible. Corsica is a mountainous island with beautiful coastal towns, dense forests, rocky peaks, and exotic beaches. Better still, its location between France and Italy has seen the island influenced by both cultures, so you can enjoy the best of France and Italy in one destination.
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Arguably, the best beach area in Corsica is Plage de Palombaggia. This scenic beach is prized for its wide strip of soft white sand, clear aquamarine waters, evergreen trees, and laid-back vibes. With little else to do, you have the ultimate excuse to relax, refresh, and enjoy delicious French and Italian cuisine.
Read also: Retirement Destinations in Southern France
Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez is one of the most popular and famous cities in Southern France. Originally a fishing village, it’s most loved for offering some of the best beaches in France, high-end resorts, and a beautiful harbor that features traditional pastel-colored architecture. Saint Tropez is perfect if you want to step back in time, explore French history, and enjoy a Mediterranean Sea getaway.
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You’ll want to spend your days in Saint Tropez strolling through the narrow cobblestone streets, exploring the harbor, and relaxing at Plages de Saint-Tropez. This quiet beach has a narrow stretch of golden sand and turquoise waters. You’ll also find several other beaches along the coast from the town.
Read also: Awesome Places To Visit in Southern France
Antibes
Antibes is a resort town between Cannes and Nice along the French Riviera. It’s home to a historic Old Town surrounded by a 16th-century wall and a port filled with luxury yachts. However, the town is arguably most renowned for its sandy beaches, which make it the perfect setting for a beach getaway.
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Plage des Ondes and Salis Beach are two of the most popular beaches in the town. Both offer a stretch of fine white sand, calm, clear waters, and plenty of space to sunbathe. However, Plage de la Garoupe is our favorite. Tucked away in a small cove, this picturesque beach has a glorious stretch of soft white sand, lush surroundings, and a wide range of amenities, including resorts, restaurants, and bars.
Read also: Beautiful French Places Beyond Paris
Èze
Èze is a lesser-known French beach destination, but it has much to offer, especially if you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your partner. This delightful town is only a short drive from Nice, but it’s worlds apart in what it offers. While Nice offers a big-city atmosphere and busy beaches, Èze offers seclusion, peace, and quiet.
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This romantic hideaway sits atop a picturesque hilltop, offering panoramic coastal views and an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You’ll enjoy lazed strolls, French cuisine, and a scenic pebble-stone beach in the town. Here, you can relax under an umbrella, drink wine at a beachfront bar, and participate in water sports. What’s not to like?
Read also: Tourist Traps To Avoid in Southern France
Île de Porquerolles
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Next, we have Île de Porquerolles, more simply known as Porquerolles. This island beach destination offers travelers an escape from the daily grind. This small piece of paradise is a short ferry ride from the peninsula of Hyères in Southern France. The island is famed for its exceptional beaches and crystal-clear waters, so expect great things.
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Admittedly, some beaches on the island are difficult to reach, but they’re often worth the extra effort because they offer more seclusion. Either way, though, almost all the beaches on the island are quiet and very idyllic. Beaches on the island worth a mention include Plage Notre Dame, Plage de la Courtade, and Plage d’Argent.
Read also: Cheap Beach Destinations in Southern France
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a gorgeous seaside town offering traditional French architecture, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere despite being only 15 minutes from Nice. This classic Riviera resort town is a joy to behold. You’ll quickly fall in love with the lovely stretches of golden sand, emerald waters, and 15th-century housing that clings to the hillside.
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This town is also just southwest of Monaco, and you can tell. Villefranche-sur-Mer has a very luxurious feel, minus the celebrities and superyachts. During your vacation, explore the town’s narrow streets, walk along the waterfront, sip cocktails in the harbor, and sunbathe on Plage des Mariniers Beach.
Read also: Overcrowded Tourist Destinations in Southern France
Trouville-sur-Mer
Northern France is also home to some exceptional beach destinations, and Trouville-sur-Mer is one of the best. Located in the Normandy region, this beautiful town has fewer than 4,500 residents, so you can expect a laid-back atmosphere, peace, and tranquility.
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Trouville is best known for its 19th-century boardwalk and seaside shops. This boardwalk features fascinating multi-colored architecture with unique striped designs. In front of the boardwalk, you’ll find the enormous Grande Plage de Trouville. This large stretch of soft golden sand is perfect for walking, relaxing, and playing games with the family. Admittedly, Trouville doesn’t get as hot as Southern France, but it’s still warm.
Read also: Best Things To Do in Paris
Honfleur
Another Northern French destination with breathtaking architecture and sandy beaches is Honfleur, a vibrant city on the Seine estuary, where the Seine River meets the English Channel. It’s most famous for its lively Old Town, picturesque harbor, and art history. Once a stomping ground for Monet and his peers, the 17th-century fishing harbor is where most of the action is found.
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Here, you’ll be captivated by enchanting half-timbered houses painted in pastel colors, narrow cobblestoned streets, and Northern France wonders like the Église Sainte Catherine. Meanwhile, beachgoers will enjoy having easy access to one of the Seine estuary’s best beaches, Plage du Butin.
Read also: Cassis, France
Marseille
Heading back to Southern France, Marseille is a great place to visit if you love the buzz of big-city life. This beautiful port city was founded by the Greeks in 600 B.C. and has long been a crossroads for trade and immigration. Therefore, it has a diverse mix of cultures, which can be seen throughout the city’s cuisine and architecture.
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Aside from being home to landmark attractions such as Fort Saint-Jean and Saint-Laurent Church, Marseille also features various beautiful beaches. Some of the beaches in Marseille worth mentioning include Plage du Prophète, Prado Beach, and Plages du Prado. These beaches offer golden sand, emerald waters, and amenities such as public transport, restaurants, and sun loungers.
Read also: Fairy-Tale Villages in France
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
The final beach destination on our list is Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a quaint fishing town at the mouth of the Nivelle River in southwest France. It’s only 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the upscale and glamorous Biarritz, but it offers an entirely different ambiance and character. While Biarritz is a luxurious, shiny, and sparkly city, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a more classic old Basque fishing village.
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This lovely village features historic buildings, authentic restaurants, unique shops, and a long sandy beach. The Maison Louis XIV Museum, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, and the Jacques Thibaud promenade are popular attractions. However, you’ll probably be most drawn to Grande Plage, Saint-Jean-de-Luz’s beach. This beach is right in the town’s center and is popular with families because the waters are calm.
Read also: French Vacation Planning Tips
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Georgia Konidari is a nationally syndicated writer and the creator of World Wild Schooling, a digital platform dedicated to travel. She is on a mission to explore the globe and share her experiences with fellow travelers. She has been featured on MSN, the Associated Press and more. You can follow Georgia on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
