The Best French Beach Towns to Visit This Summer

You can find beach towns for any taste in France. From the mesmerizing white-sand stretches in Corsica to the elegant Belle Époque gems in the French Riviera, from the surfing bays in the Basque Country to the naturist villages in Agde. Summer is when there’s the best weather across the whole country, allowing you to explore the lesser-known corners. The Côte d’Azur, in the South, is a perfect place to begin your French beach adventure, but it gets crowded from June to August.

This list will show you how diverse the country’s coast is and inspire you to discover France beyond the well-known destinations. 

Best for a slow beach getaway and wine tastings

Set along the Côte Vermeille in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, Banyuls-sur-Mer is a perfect destination to take it slow. Even in the height of the summer, this charming town won’t feel too touristy. Banyuls bears a resemblance to the neighboring Costa Brava beach towns—it retains a strong Catalan heritage, and you can hear the Catalan language on the streets. The central plage de Banyuls is great for families.

But the real Mediterranean magic awaits in the surrounding coves, such as Elmes, Sana and Paulilles. The Banyuls-Cerbère coastal hiking trail is fantastic for vistas. Banyuls is also famous in France for its red dessert wines, cultivated in the Catalan Pyrenees.

Best for sublime white sand beaches

It’s safe to say that Corsica offers some of Europe’s most magnificent beaches. Porto-Vecchio is the gateway to the island’s finest ones. The town itself is a picturesque medieval jewel, perched on a hill. There’s a glorious Citadelle overlooking the yacht-dotted harbor. South of the historic part is the magical coast. Palombaggia is the stretch you find on most tourist brochures: a crystal-clear turquoise perfection. Corsican pine trees back the sugary sands, an idyllic sight. This beach is ideal for vacationing with small children, as the water is shallow. Boulders on the edges of Palombaggia are great for snorkeling.

Go further south to find the paradisiac beaches of Tamaricciu and Folaca. For a wilder, less commercialized beach experience, visit Plage d’Acciaghju. It’s dog-friendly and clothing-optional.

Best for wild beaches and birdwatching

If you’re a Hemingway fan, you know Le Grau-du-Roi. It’s a setting for the writer’s posthumous novel “The Garden of Eden,” which he describes as a “fine place.” This pretty fishing town is a hidden gem of the Occitan Mediterranean coast. Plage de l’Espiguette is the main draw here for beach lovers—over 6 miles of pristine dunes that look like a desert. It is also a go-to destination for European naturists. Kite surfing is another activity to try on the Espiguette’s windy shores.

In Le Grau-du-Roi, life revolves around the scenic canal, where you find many seafood restaurants that sell the fresh day’s catch. The town is a gateway to the UNESCO-protected Camargue, one of Europe’s largest river deltas and France’s answer to the Everglades. Hop on a boat tour of the étangs (or saltwater lagoons) to spot the flamingos.

Best for the beautiful harbor and spectacular coves

The harbor in Cassis is among the French Riviera’s finest. That’s the ultimate beach town for getting into the Mediterranean lifestyle: dine well in seaside bistros, indulge in excellent pastries in cafes, and enjoy the long walks along the promenade. But there’s another side to Cassis, which makes it stand out among the country’s beach towns. You’re steps away from the calanques, or the magnificent narrow inlets that pepper the coast south of Marseille.

Port-Miou is the closest to town, reached by a leisurely walk. A half-hour hike through pine forests will take you to Calanque de Port Pin, another magical turquoise cove. Even without the calanques, Cassis offers a great selection of pebbly beaches. Plage du Bestouan, near the harbor, features a superb view of Cap Canaille. For more crystal-clear waters and lovely vibes, check out Plage de la Grande Mer.

Best for authentic French Riviera atmosphere

Mandelieu-La Napoule is where the French people go on a beach break in Côte d’Azur. Set between Cannes and the Esterel Coast, it’s both a fantastic base for exploring the Riviera and a charming beach town to escape the crowds. La plage du Château is among the country’s most photogenic stretches, right next to the 19th-century castle. But it’s the Plage de la Rague that will enchant you. It’s a sandy beach under the ochre-colored cliffs, overlooking the beautiful Esterel coast.

The Mandelieu-La Napoule area on the way to Cannes is filled with smaller beach “pockets,” ideal for water sports and sunbathing. Activities-wise, you can hike the expansive Parc forestier du San Peyre or play golf at one of the excellent courses around town.

Best for beginner-friendly surfing and longboarding

Located right on the border with Spain, Hendaye is a small resort town in the French Basque Country with a fantastic white-sand beach. Also, it’s known as one of the best destinations for learning to surf. The swells here are gentle in summer, allowing for a pleasant Bay of Biscay experience. There are multiple surfing schools to choose from, too.

Go to Les Deux-Jumeaux (or the “two twins”) beach for a gorgeous view of the big ocean bluffs and a limestone cliff crashing into the water. Château d’Abbadie, built in the 19th century, is an atmospheric mansion with a relaxing park. From Hendaye, you can easily visit the Hondarribiko beach, a vast sandy beach in a Spanish town across the border.

Nice is one of the best larger beach towns in Europe. Yes, summer is busy here, but the city’s coastline is big, and you’ve got plenty of calmer beaches. What I love about Nice is how easy it is to enjoy its vibrant city life while being steps away from the turquoise water. The Vieux-Nice, or the Old Town, is literally a 5-minute walk away from the beautiful pebbly stretches, Ponchettes and Castel. Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s iconic boardwalk, stretches for miles, inviting panoramic strolls and cycling. Visit Carras and Ste Hélène beaches for a more local vibe.

Don’t miss the hip beach bars like Bocca Mar, Beau Rivage, and La Vela. Beyond beaches, Nice is also one of the country’s most interesting, culture-packed destinations. Discover Riviera art at Villa Masséna, explore the Marc Chagall National Museum, and visit the waterfront Asian Arts Museum.

Best for a chic beach break

Located halfway between Antibes and Cannes, Juan-les-Pins is for low-key Riviera enjoyment. All the jet-set attributes (a casino, private beaches, a yacht-filled harbor, and palatial five-star hotels) are there, but the atmosphere is more relaxed. It has long been a favorite among the world’s celebrity crowd. F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald enjoyed their summers at the local Hotel Belles Rives, Picasso used to come here to paint, and Marilyn Monroe hung out at the Pam Pam Bar (still open). Juan-les-Pins is still a top choice for quiet luxury on the French Riviera.

The best beaches are in the Cap d’Antibes. Enjoy the turquoise water at Plage des Ondes and Plage de la Garoupe. A coastal trail (or a yacht trip) will lead you to the sublime Baie des Milliardaires. Juan-les-Pins is also a 5-minute train ride from Antibes, known for the Picasso museum and a charming Provençal Old Town.

Best for oysters and vast dune beaches

Give a lesser-known French Atlantic coast a try in the summer. Arcachon, set among the stunning bay, is a great place to start. The town is famous for its dreamy Belle Époque villas, long beaches, and fantastic seafood restaurants. It’s also one of France’s largest oyster producers, so you’ll be having the delicacy a lot here. Preferably, accompanied by the excellent local wines. The main beach, Thiers, is a grandiose white-sand bay with calm waters. You can try kayaking, kite- and wind-surfing here.

Further west, Plage du Pereire and Plage des Arbousiers are perfect for strolling and watching the sunset. Another place to visit just outside the town borders is Dune of Pilat, a natural marvel and Europe’s tallest sand dune. If you feel adventurous, try paragliding from the top into the Bay of Arcachon.

Best for Atlantic Ocean beaches and wildlife spotting 

La Baule is the star of the charmingly named Côte d’Amour (or Love Coast), a section of the northwestern Atlantic coast in the Pays de la Loire region. Just a little over 3 hours by train from Paris, this town will enchant you with one of the longest Atlantic beaches in Europe, fresh oysters in cozy bistros, and many aromatic creperies. It’s still very much a local beach town, where you’ll be vacationing with mostly a French crowd. Seaside Boulevard de l’Océan stretches for over 6 miles, filled with panoramic restaurants, beach clubs, cafes, and bars.

Immediately recognizable by its white-and-blue chairs and umbrellas, Monica is the best place to grab a drink and a pizza, overlooking the bay. La Baule is close to several unique natural areas. Marais salants de Guérande is the vast saltpan landscape, featuring hiking trails and rich bird life. But the most epic one is the Brière Regional Natural Park, which is France’s second-largest marshland. The most memorable way to explore it is a tour in a wooden boat.