France has many beaches but, which is the most beautiful? France has so many beaches, whether on the Channel or North Sea shores, not to mention the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Others will favor beaches with vast sandbanks to narrow, steep coves or odd beaches.
Not to mention those who enjoy tranquil and relaxing beaches, as well as those who seek out beaches that are more family-friendly and provide a variety of activities.
Some of the nicest beaches in Europe are found in France. There are no shortages of coasts to explore and locations to discover, from the dark stretches of the northern coast to the wonders of Corsica and the glittering idylls of the French Riviera. Here are some of the most beautiful beaches to inspire you to plan your next beach holiday.
We have divided these beaches into two coasts.
- North Coast Beaches
- South Coast Beaches
North Coast Beaches
There are many beaches in North Coast some are given below:
- Deauville Beach
- Étretat
- Tahiti
Deauville Beach
Coco Chanel, who established her first clothes store in Deauville in 1913, helped to solidify the city's popularity. Her beach-chic style put her—and the town's wonderful seafront packed with quaint stores and ice cream carts—on the map for all time.
There will be no need to pick between the beaches because there will only be one. A few kilometers of uniform sand are loosened regularly and sifted using special equipment to remove the tiniest trash. This sand pool, in which the foot is buried ankle-deep, is now encircled by a unique fence to protect it from the winter winds.
Étretat
The pebble beach of Étretat, which is located along France's Alabaster Coast, is popular with sailors and surfers. The iconic chalk cliffs and arched rock formations attract the majority of visitors to this stretch of shoreline in Upper Normandy. Natural sculptures can be found at various spots along Étretat's 80-mile span, inspiring tourists and painters (most famously Claude Monet) for centuries as a travel destination.
For generations, fishing was the main activity on Etretat beach. The beach serves as a mooring point for fishing boats that are towed up using the capstans that can still be seen along the Perrey promenade.
Tahiti
Many people dream about vacationing in Tahiti since it is a tranquil and beautiful place. In the town of Neve, this is one of the most stunning beaches in the northwest of France. The beach is clean and uncrowded, and the breathtaking views and gulls' calls add to the allure and intrigue.
South Coast Beaches
Some of the famous beaches of south coast are given below:
- Porquerolles
- Almanarre
- En Vau
- Palombaggia Beach
- Plage de Porticcio
- Pampelonne
- Antibes
- Paloma Beach
- Gatseau
Porquerolles
Porquerolles Island, just a ferry ride from fashionable Hyères, feels like a vivid, breathing depiction of French coastal living in the 1970s. This lovely island, which has been a protected area for the past 45 years, is car-free and even prohibits smoking, so you'll have to go out on foot to locate the silky beaches and warm blue seas of Notre Dame, the island's most attractive place.
You can paddle on the beach, go for a walk, or take a sail. In Porquerolles, Jean-Luc Godard filmed some sequences for his film Pierrot le fou (1965).
Almanarre
This family-friendly, five-kilometer-long strip of unspoiled beachfront near Marseille is home to stunning pink flamingos and other endangered species and is known for its wind and kite-surfing. This large beach is great for families with kids, thanks to its talc-fine sand, mild shallow seas, and undulating grassy dunes, as well as the distinctive sandy isthmus known as a 'double tombolo.'
The water can grow rough and expose its gorgeous wilderness depending on the strength of the wind. The Almanarre is a protected region, and the shallow waters allow youngsters to swim safely [it is always best to swim in areas that are monitored].
En Vau
Are you looking for the perfect romantic getaway? Take your significant other to the Massif des Calanques, a 20-kilometer stretch of rough coastline between Cassis and Marseille that features a series of small limestone coves between high cliffs. The most beautiful of the bunch is En Vau's secluded calanque; be warned: it's a long climb down there, but your loved one – and your Instagram account – will thank you for it.
The turquoise sea off the coast of En Vau. It's one of Marseille's most beautiful creeks, but it's also one of the Calanques National Park's most lonely. It's a well-deserved treat to be able to swim in En-Vau because getting there requires a hike or a boat ride.
Palombaggia Beach
Palombaggia Beach at Porto-Vecchio, on Italy's southern coast, overlooks Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea and features bright, clean water, pink-tinted, rock-free sand, and gentle afternoon breezes.
Palombaggia Beach is known as one of Corsica's and Europe's best beaches. This is due to the perfect combination of white sand, red rocks, and stone pines that line a beautiful half-circle cove with turquoise water.
The Cerbiales islands can also be seen on a clear day on the horizon (which are protected).
Plage de Porticcio
The attractive city of Ajaccio and its chic waterfront promenade have more than a smell of the Côte d'Azur, yet dedicated beach bums prefer the sands of Porticcio to the busy city beaches. Ajaccio is 9 miles (15 kilometers) around the bay by road, or 4 miles (6 kilometers) across the water, which is served by a 20-minute ferry six to nine times daily. Cocktail bars with spectacular views are also available.
The beaches of Porticcio will be the ideal site to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea during the summer season, as well as throughout the year. Whether you love swimming and resting or are constantly eager to do new things, Corsica and the region's most stunning beaches are waiting for you!
Pampelonne
This world-famous beachfront in elegant and sunny Saint-Tropez, a town practically identified with one Brigitte Bardot, offers beach clubs, stunning white sand, and a boho feel. Bono, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Naomi Campbell are among the A-listers who may be seen applying sun oil on their buff(ish) bodies these days.
Even though it is located in Ramatuelle, the legendary Pampelonne beach is one of St. Tropez's most popular beaches. It's a breathtakingly beautiful location that serves as a rural background to the world's most opulent beach parties.
Antibes
Antibes, located midway between Cannes and Nice, has a peninsula that juts out into the sea, maximizing the amount of warm, sandy, easy-to-walk-on coastline available. If you can afford it, reserve a suite at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc for a taste of Riviera luxury.
It should come as no surprise that going to the beach for the day during the summer season is one of the most popular activities during an Antibes vacation. In the South of France, the way you beach is quite significant. Each of Antibes' beaches has its own identity and, as a result, attracts a distinct set of visitors. On the Cap d'Antibes and closer to the Old Town, there are numerous beaches to select from. These are a few of my personal favorites.
Paloma Beach
The peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, near Nice, is a playground for European royalty, with a Rothschild house equipped with expansive gardens and a beach named after Paloma Picasso, the artist's daughter. You'll be rewarded with vast, sweeping vistas of the sea if you take a long staircase down to the rocky shore.
Paloma Beach, a picturesque resort set in the captivating countryside of Cap Ferrat's peninsula between the towns of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, is one of the most popular areas for both tourists and residents.
Even though Paloma Beach is pebbly, the water is clear as ice and the vistas over Beaulieu and the surrounding mountains are simply breathtaking!
Gatseau
Although the bopping Île de Ré is more well-known, take the beautiful bridge over to Oléron, Ré's sister island, to find one of France's best-kept beach secrets. With its km of sandy beaches backed by grassy dunes and sweet-smelling pine forests, France's second largest island feels like heaven, but the exquisite shell-strewn Plage de Gatseau near Saint-Trojan-Les-Bains takes Oléron's coveted 'best beach' title easily.
Final Words
The first rule to remember when looking for the best beaches in France? Don't make the mistake of assuming they're all on the Riviera. While the famous stretch of coastline has some wonderful beaches, you shouldn't overlook the Normandy coast or the Bay of Biscay while planning your summer vacation in France. From historical landmarks to secluded islands, Europe's rich have their playgrounds. So, what are you waiting for? Visit France and explore these amazing beaches.
