The 15 Best Beaches in France [2023]

It’s no secret that France is a cultural hot spot. From its art and food to its rich history, there’s a lot to experience in this corner of Europe. However, the country’s beaches sometimes slip under the radar, which is a shame because they’re some of France’s best-kept secrets.

If you’re interested in jet-setting off for a French coastal getaway but you’re overwhelmed with all the options you have to choose from, you’re in luck. We did the legwork of looking at all the nation’s beaches to come up with a list of the best you should add to your travel bucket list.

Map of the 15 Best Beaches in France

The 5 Best Beaches in North France

1. Cap Blanc-Nez, Pas-de-Calais

You’ll find Cap Blan-Nez hidden away on France’s “Opal Coast.” With its chalk cliffs and a large expanse of uninterrupted water as far as the eye can see, this is a relaxing stretch of the coast where you can find some peace and quiet.

Since the cape is on the English Channel, you can even get views of England’s coastline in the distance on a clear day. This is a favorite place for tourists who want to go on a long walk along the shoreline since there are trails that lead from the cliffs down to the beach.

The landscape of the beach makes it prone to a lot of wind, though. So unless you’re a strong swimmer, it’s best to stay close to dry land. You’ll also want to make sure to check the tide schedule, as the shore floods almost entirely when the tide comes in.

2. Deauville Beach, Deauville

Deauville Beach is a quaint part of France’s northern coast that’s perfect for family vacations. The beach is wide, with plenty of room to spread out, even on busy days. The only thing to remember is that since the sandy shore is quite large, it can take some time to get to the water.

That won’t change much of your experience during the fall and winter when you’re visiting to go for a nice long walk. However, you’ll want to be mindful during the summer when the sand is hot from the sun.

Deauville Beach is also known for being the closest beach to the country’s capital, Paris, so you can easily visit both destinations while on your trip through the region. The beach is beautiful all year. If you visit in January or February, you might even get to see snowfall on the shore.

3. Plage du Braek, Dunkirk

This Dunkirk beach is an underrated spot that definitely deserves more attention. The beach is remote and secluded, so it rarely gets many crowds, even in the middle of the summer when the tourism season is at its highest.

Since the beach is pretty quiet, it’s a great place for families. Kids love the long and wide stretches of sand to build castles and run around. On the other hand, adults looking for a place to rest and relax can lay out a towel and enjoy listening to the waves.

There often aren’t many lifeguards here, though, so keep that in mind if you decide to venture into the water. However, the water is typically pretty gentle, especially near the shore.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that this beach can be referred to as both Plage du Braek and Digue du Braek if you’re looking at directions to get here.

4. Plage de Dieppe, Dieppe

Plage de Dieppe is one of the best beaches in Normandy. It’s easily accessible and hard to miss while you’re traveling through the area, so it’s a popular spot for French and international beachgoers.

While there are multiple events hosted around the beach throughout the year, one of the most famous is the Dieppe Kite Festival, which is held every other year, usually in early September. With upwards of hundreds of colorful kites of different shapes and sizes dotting the sky, it’s the largest event of its kind in the world.

The beach is breezy during the other months of the year as well. The cliffs that back the sand create a break for the wind, which can cause waves and a pleasant breeze during hot days. Though it can make the area feel a bit colder than you’d expect in the winter.

5. Plage du Havre, Le Havre

Plage du Havre is a relatively new beach that was created to officially give the people who live in and around Havre permission to access the water.

Havre is a port city, so boats are often seen on the horizon, but to keep the water clean, they don’t get too close to the port near this 1-mile-long portion of the coast. You can access the water all year, but the official beach season lasts between May and September. That’s when you can expect to find lifeguards on duty and beach-related businesses open.

Plage du Havre is a great beach if you don’t want to have to bring a huge bag of necessities for a day by the water. Since you’re within walking distance of shops and restaurants, you can easily pick up anything you might need once you arrive. However, it can get crowded during the summer.

The 5 Best Beaches in South France

1. Bouillabaisse Beach, Saint-Tropez

If you’re looking for a tranquil coastal spot while you’re in Saint-Tropez, Bouillabaisse Beach is a great place to go. You’re still close to the center of town, so the excitement isn’t too far away, but there’s a little more seclusion here compared to other parts of the shore.

Bouillabaisse Beach is particularly known for the waterfront restaurant that shares its name, but you don’t have to go to the eatery in order to access the sand. You’ll also notice a mix of umbrellas you can rent for the day and clear areas where you can just lay out your towel and enjoy the sun.

The water here is clean and blue, and the current is gentle enough for people of all swimming levels to handle. Even little kids can splash around safely because the water gradually gets deeper, and there are no sudden drop-offs.

2. Ouille Beach, Argelès-sur-Mer

Ouille is one of the best beaches in the entire Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. Covered in small, smooth pebbles, this beach has a very natural look to it, which adds to its charm. It’s also a pet-friendly beach, so you can let your dog run around happily if you’re bringing them with you on your vacation.

The beach is tucked back away from the open sea, so the water here is incredibly clear and clean as well. Since the current is also gentle, you can try out snorkeling and diving without worrying about fighting against the waves.

The road to get to the beach is a bit steep, so keep that in mind if you plan on walking or biking. However, it’s also paved and smooth, which can help you keep your footing and make driving easy. Since it’s a natural beach, don’t expect to find lifeguards on duty.

3. Palombaggia, Porto-Vecchio

Palombaggia is a scenic beach that brings a tropical ambiance to Europe. If you’re looking for a coastal spot that feels like it belongs in a postcard, this is the place to consider. The water is crystal clear and bright blue. In fact, you can even see the different tones of blue from the various minerals and natural matter in the water that often gets murky at other beaches.

You can snorkel and explore the water under its surface no matter your swimming level, especially if you stay close to the sand because the current is nearly imperceptible. If you prefer to stay dry, you’ll be able to enjoy the light, soft sand while you enjoy the sun.

Despite how remote the beach can feel, especially when it’s not busy, you’re not far away from amenities. There’s a nearby restaurant that even has private showers.

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

Plage de l’Espiguette is a relatively wild beach without all the frills you’ll find at the top tourist beaches. You’ll need to make sure you bring most of the essentials you’ll want to have while you’re on the sand because there aren’t any shops or to-go snack bars.

At the same time, you’re also not in the middle of nowhere. There are a few sit-down eateries fairly nearby and even a place to rent paddle boats.

One of the biggest things Plage de l’Espiguette has going for it is its size. This part of France’s shoreline extends over 11 miles, so there’s plenty of room to roam if you want to walk on the sand or even just find a quiet spot.

The water here is quite shallow for a while, so if you prefer wading over swimming or if you have kids with you, this is a good option.

5. Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer

Extroverts will love Plage des Marinieres. Since it’s a narrow beach, most beachgoers are pretty close together. On top of that, this beach has slowly gained popularity, so it’s nearly always bustling with people during the summer.

Despite being busy, you don’t have to worry about murky water. The sea is clear and clean at all times of the day. It’s also a good beach for people who don’t want to worry about strong tides or waves. The water is gentle and pretty still, and it’s shallow, which also makes it easy to manage.

The beach is notable for its views as well. It’s backed by cliffs and hills, which give the area a very dramatic look, especially if you’re used to flat coastal stretches.

Hot Tip: The beach is close to the train station, so it’s easy to get here even without a car.

The 5 Best Beaches in West France

1. Conche of Whales, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines

Conche of Whales offers something for nearly any type of beachgoer. This part of France has wide stretches of sand that are soft and comfortable to walk or lay out on. Since there aren’t many pebbles or other types of debris that wash on shore, you don’t have to worry about keeping your shoes on while you go for a stroll.

If you decide to head into the water, you can have as exciting or as relaxing of a swim as you’d like. Near land, the water is calm and shallow. However, if you venture out a little further, waves start to pick up and become more consistent, so you can try out something more adventurous, like surfing.

The water is also clean and crystal clear, which means you can swim completely stress-free. Though keep in mind that you likely won’t encounter lifeguards here.

2. Plage de Gwendrez, Finistère

Plage de Gwendrez is one of the most expansive beaches in Brittany, but it often flies under people’s radar.

The main stretch of this beach is about a mile long, but it extends even further if you wander through the greenery that separates its different spots. There are multiple tread paths you can follow to fully enjoy the area. To ensure you have the beach day you want, check the tide schedule for this part of the sea.

You’ll want to visit Gwendrez during the high tide if you’re a surfer. The waves swell more and are much more consistent. However, swimming at this time can be a little tricky as the water can be deeper than expected. If you’d prefer to either go for a relaxing dip or just lounge on the sand, low tide is an inviting time to visit.

3. Plage de la Côte des Basques, Biarritz

Plage de la Côte des Basques is a well-rounded beach for nearly any type of visitor. Since this part of France is distinguished by large, spacious beaches, there’s plenty of room, even in the summer when there are more tourists.

You can also have a relaxing and exciting vacation while you’re here. Since the beach has a lot of space, you can lay out and enjoy the sun and the sound of the waves if you want to relax without getting in anyone’s way.

However, you can also go out into the water for anything from a relaxing swim to an exciting day trying out your surfing skills. Perhaps one of the best things about Plage de la Côte des Basques is the view you can get while here. As a beach on France’s west coast, you can see the sunset clearly and dramatically.

4. Plage de Donnant, Belle-Île-en-Mer

Plage de Donnant is known as a surfer’s beach, and for a good reason. This wild shore gets consistent waves thanks to the wind that’s nearly constant in the area. The waves are generally calmer near the sand, so bodyboarding and swimming are better there.

Even further out, you won’t see intimidating waves, so if you’re new to the sport, you can have fun practicing here. During low tide, the beach is wide, with a lot of room to roam because the sea recedes quite a bit. However, that means the opposite is true during high tide. So, expect the beach’s dry land area to shrink rapidly when the water comes back in.

There are no lifeguards here, though. While the water is pretty calm where it’s shallower, young swimmers might still get overwhelmed. If you plan to come with your family, make sure to keep an eye on inexperienced swimmers.

5. Plage du Pin Sec, Naujac-sur-Mer

World War II history buffs should plan to visit Plage du Pin Sec while visiting France. Nearby bunkers from this time period are still standing, which are a testament and reminder of the conflicts and root the beach in history.

Naturally, this is also one of the wildest beaches in western France. Not much development has been constructed nearby, so you can have some seclusion away from the bustling crowds of tourists you’ll find in many parts of the country.

Campers can stay overnight at the beach’s parking area, so you can wake up and head to the water if you wish. There’s also an all-ages surf school that gives lessons here that opens in the summer months. If you plan on traveling with your dog, you’ll be happy to learn they’re also allowed on this stretch of sand.

Final Thoughts

France has some of the best coastal spots in Europe. From relaxing on the sand to spending your days at vibrant beach parties, there’s something to draw any type of beachgoer to the country’s shores. We hope that this list has brought you one step closer to planning the French getaway of your dreams.