Top 15 Must-Visit Beaches in France for Sunseekers

Curating the finest beaches in France is a formidable challenge. This selection includes hidden coves that often remain unnoticed, alongside expansive beaches where the sea vanishes at low tide. Many of these locations boast striking architecture with grand promenades frequented by Victorian aristocrats seeking the refreshing sea air, complemented by charming villages adorned with colorful fishing cottages. Some beaches require an adventurous trek through unspoiled nature, whereas others are recognized as Blue Flag destinations, providing endless opportunities for both exciting adventures and serene family afternoons.

1. Plage de Saleccia, Corse-du-Nord

Accessing Saleccia, a stunning beach located on the northern coast of Corsica, is not straightforward. While having a yacht facilitates reaching the destination, others can opt for a costly ferry from Saint-Florent or a 4×4 transfer from Casta, situated almost an hour to the south. Visitors unanimously agree that the journey is worthwhile; the beach features a gentle curve of pristine white sand, flanked by juniper-clad dunes and the distant silhouette of the Cap Corse mountains. The water is ideal—shallow, crystal-clear, and a mesmerizing shade of blue unique to Corsica.

2. Porquerolles, Var

This island, measuring three by six kilometers, is conveniently accessible via a short ferry ride from Hyères on the Côte d’Azur. While the term “unspoiled” is often overused, it genuinely characterizes Porquerolles; the French government took measures in the early 1970s to prevent development on the island. The historic settlement showcases a quaint village centered around an 1800s harbor, with trails meandering through vegetation rich in wild herbs, juniper bushes, and pines. Here, one can discover rocky inlets with crystalline waters or the picturesque Notre-Dame beach, nestled in a horseshoe bay shaded by pine and eucalyptus trees.

3. Plage de Trouville, Calvados

This expansive beach in Normandy lies across from Deauville, a town popularized by Coco Chanel. Trouville, known as Deauville’s older sibling, features a boardwalk lined by elegant 19th-century mansions and a casino, where visitors can admire the coastal landscapes that inspired artists such as Monet and Eugène Boudin. The beach offers ample space for children to fly kites and for invigorating walks during low tide, when the ocean recedes far into the distance.

4. Plage de l’Espiguette, Gard

Plage de l’Espiguette, where the Carmargue Regional Park meets the Mediterranean, resembles a vast sandbank adjoining a dynamic landscape of lagoons, dunes, and marshes. The beach extends endlessly, and aside from a lighthouse and a resort area, shows few signs of humanity. It is evident why Ernest Hemingway cherished this area of untouched natural beauty.

5. Plage de l’Almanarre, Var

Occupying the isthmus of the Giens Peninsula alongside expansive salt flats, this exquisite white sandy beach stretches for over five kilometers. Unlike many beaches on the French Riviera, it offers space for visitors to enjoy peace and relaxation due to its length and relative remoteness. Depending on the wind conditions, the waters can be clear or turbulent; when the Mistral wind blows, windsurfers fill the horizon. The picturesque surroundings include the rocky formations of the Pointe d’Ermitage to the south and the rugged peaks of the Cap-Sicié Massif across the bay, where sunsets are particularly stunning.

6. Palombaggia, Corse-du-Sud

This beach consistently ranks among the best in Europe. One contributing factor is that, similar to Saleccia, Palombaggia offers an environment not typically associated with the Mediterranean. The sand is sugar-white, and the beach spans two kilometers, lapped by azure waters so transparent that the details of the seabed are visible. Contrary to expectations, it is accessible through a dirt path that diverges from the winding coastal road and leads a few hundred meters through a pine forest down to the bay.

7. La Paloma, Alpes-Maritimes

This hidden stony cove may only be discovered while traversing the picturesque footpath around the luxurious Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, famous for the Villa Ephrussi. Nestled near the Pointe de Sainte-Hospice, sheltered from the wind, the cove features rows of sun loungers and an on-site restaurant. Yachts anchor in the tranquil bay, where a launch service delivers refreshments to visitors aboard. As this spot tends to be busy, reserving a table a day in advance is advisable.

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

Located on the Basque Coast, this resort beach provides a rarity in Southwest France: a sheltered bay with gentle waves. The Pointe de Sainte-Barbe to the north offers a protective barrier, safeguarding Grande Plage from strong ocean winds and currents. Children can play safely in the water without the concern of surfing dangers. As a well-established resort, the services and amenities are exceptional, with lifeguards present throughout the summer and sun loungers available for hire. While Saint-Jean-de-Luz attracts numerous visitors, its expansive space prevents overcrowding.

9. Conche des Baleines, Charente-Maritime

To reach this expansive sandy bay situated on the far western end of Île de Ré, one must travel through the tranquil Lizay Forest. Given the flat and peaceful nature of the island, many visitors prefer to explore by bicycle, which is the most convenient mode of transportation to arrive at this breathtaking locale. Conche des Baleines features a gentle slope conducive to swimming, complemented by brisk breezes that attract windsurfers and sailboats. Historical concrete bunkers remain visible behind the beach, and the Phare des Baleines lighthouse welcomes visitors in summer, with a climb of 257 steps resulting in impressive panoramic views from the top.

10. Roccapina Plage, Corse-du-Sud

Roccapina Plage embodies two aspects widely admired about Corsica: it features a stunning white inlet adjacent to a monumental jagged limestone rock, resembling a vigilant guardian. As with many other picturesque beaches in Corsica, accessing Roccapina requires determination; visitors must park in the village and traverse a winding, unpaved path. However, upon arrival, the pristine sand and irresistibly glass-like blue waters make all the effort worthwhile.

11. Plage d’Hendaye, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Hendaye boasts an exceptional beach situated just a few hundred meters from the Spanish border, located in the heart of the rugged Basque Country. Along the seafront, visitors can admire traditional houses characterized by white walls and red-painted timbers. The beach extends nearly three kilometers of fine golden sand, providing ample opportunities for both surfers seeking waves and families with young children wishing to wade in the gentle shallows. Body-boards are readily available for purchase along the waterfront for those aspiring to ride the waves.

12. Plage du Chay, Charente-Maritime

Like many of the premier Atlantic beaches in Western France, this bay in Royan, the capital of Côte de Beauté, is angled away from the open ocean at the entrance to the Gironde Estuary. The beach forms a crescent of soft white sand, featuring resort amenities at the northern end and a more tranquil, residential atmosphere as one moves south. Royan is home to five noteworthy beaches, all nestled within deep indentations shielded by striking limestone cliffs. When a spring tide occurs, surfers have the opportunity to ride the Gironde tidal bore, enjoying waves that roll upriver without breaking.

13. Plage de Morgat, Finistère

The picturesque resort of Morgat, facing east, is shielded from the intensity of the Atlantic by the natural protection of Brittany’s Amorica Regional Park. The location features vibrantly painted cottages that overlook a wide, white beach caressed by gentle waters. Surrounding cliffs, adorned with lush forest, descend towards the Pointe du Kador. This idyllic, rural setting offers the opportunity to take sailing lessons at the nautical center adjacent to the beach or to enjoy leisurely paddle experiences in a canoe or kayak.

14. Grande Plage Les Sables d’Olonne, Vendée

Situated along the Côte de Lumière, another coastal resort emerged dramatically in the 19th century. France’s elite and artists flocked to the area via train from Paris, drawn by the allure of what was once hailed as “the most beautiful beach in Europe.” Within a few decades, a grand array of hotels and casinos graced the embankment. The recently renovated promenade, Le Remblai, allows visitors to admire the impressive Belle Époque architecture and the expansive beach, which offers a stunning vista at low tide.

15. Argelès-sur-Mer, Pyrénées-Orientales

The longest beach in Pyrénées-Orientales is segmented into various sections, yet it forms a continuous stretch of slightly coarse sand extending from the marina in the south to the R reserve Naturelle du Mas Larrieu several kilometers to the north. Along the way, small vacation communities and campsites are discreetly situated within picturesque pine groves. Peace and tranquility are easily attainable, with opportunities for daydreaming as the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees rise majestically south of the beach. Noteworthy is Plage du Racou located south of the port, characterized by its beach houses arranged along sandy paths.