The Official Guide to France’s Best Beaches

France has a stunning variety of beaches. Choose between the wavy and windswept Atlantic Ocean, the moody English Channel, or the gorgeous and diverse Mediterranean. The French Riviera is the legendary coastal region stretching from Marseille to Menton, with a wealth of beach towns. Be sure to visit Corsica for 620 miles of coastline and over 200 beaches.

If we’re talking about the best urban beaches in France, Ponchettes in Nice takes the crown. As the capital of the French Riviera, this city doesn’t disappoint when it comes to beaches. Located next to the Old Town, Ponchettes is the ultimate place for a seaside hangout. The beach offers clear turquoise waters, lots of space and amazing vistas of Colline du Château (or Castle Hill). The surface is pebbly, so bring water shoes. The beach is especially irresistible at sunset. As it’s an urban stretch, you’re steps away from the buzzy bars and cafes of the Vieux Nice quarter. Ponchettes is adjacent to Plage de Castel, another great pebbly strip with a beach bar. 

The untouched Mediterranean is what you’ll find at Plage Notre-Dame. It is the ultimate get-away-from-it-all destination. Set on the island of Porquerolles off the Hyères coast, the beach is a blissful escape with crystal-clear waters and pleasant greenery. Take a ferry from Toulon to reach Porquerolles. Then, grab a bike (or opt for a 30-minute hike) to get to the beach. The long bay consists of small pebbles with a sandy seabed. Rent a boat at Porquerolles port for the most deluxe experience. Just be aware that there are no beach bars at the beach, so bring snacks and drinks along. 

Just outside the glitz of Saint-Tropez, Plage de l’Escalet offers a hidden, unspoiled corner of the Mediterranean coastline. The beach is a sandy cove with picturesque rocky outcrops. It’s ideal for carefree lounging, idyllic swimming and snorkeling. Set along one of the South of France’s most beautiful coastal trails, L’Escalet is perfect for long, wave-lulled strolls. Although it has a remote vibe, the beach is actually quite developed and has toilets, showers and a lifeguard post. Some parts of the beach are even popular with naturists. 

The coast between Monaco and Nice is packed with dramatic views and Mala Beach captures this cinematic epicness perfectly. Tucked between towering cliffs, it’s one of the most striking stretches in all of France. Mala is a pebbly beach with clear blue waters, gorgeous panoramas and great swimming conditions. It also has a touch of glamour, thanks to two upscale beachside restaurants and a private umbrellas-and-loungers area — but what else would you expect being this close to Monaco? Even so, the lack of immediate parking and the steep stairway access help keep Mala something of a secret on the Riviera. While you’re here, don’t miss the Sentier du Littoral, a beautiful coastal path that connects Mala to another stunning Cap d’Ail beach, Marquet.

Experience a different kind of French coastal leisure in Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, an island off the Vendée coast. The must-visit beach escape here is Plage des Dames. The place looks like a dream – smooth golden sands, a photogenic wooden pier, pretty beach huts and abundant greenery. The shallow access makes it kid-friendly. Plus, it has great shell-hunting potential, keeping the whole family busy. The beach is not far from Noirmoutier-en-l’Île’s charming old town with a chateau and a church dating back to medieval times. 

Saleccia’s beauty is hard to resist. Transparent waters caress the fine sands flanked by maquis (a typical Corsican shrub). It’s not easy to reach, but this beach is definitely among the most beautiful in France. Saleccia is in the Haute-Corse region, where a vast expanse of the Agriates Desert meets the virgin Mediterranean coast. Off-road driving is the only way to get to this heaven-like beach, so a 4×4 vehicle is a must. Alternatively, you can opt for a water taxi from Saint-Florent port (the closest settlement to Saleccia). It’s a wild place far from civilization, so don’t freak out when you see Corsicana cows relaxing on the sands. 

Natural grandeur is on full display at L’Ostriconi. One of Corsica’s most striking beaches, it captivates with its wild, untamed beauty. This white-sand stretch is perfect for sunbathing against a backdrop of dramatic scenery. When the waters are calm, swimming here is pure bliss, thanks to the shallow, pleasant conditions. As Corsica’s west coast tends to be more exposed to the wind, strong gusts also make L’Ostriconi a great spot for kitesurfing. The northern end of the beach is a popular area for nudists, and you’ll find free parking about a 15-minute walk away.

Étretat isn’t much of a swimming beach — it’s a beach made for admiring. Overlooking dramatic chalk cliffs (or falaises), it’s a place for inspiration and reflection. The artistic energy feels almost tangible here — this cinematic corner of Normandy has long been a beacon for painters and writers. The beach appeared in the works of Claude Monet (who created nearly 90 paintings of Étretat), Eugène Boudin and Gustave Courbet. The town also featured in Maurice Leblanc’s Arsène Lupin stories and inspired Bel Ami author Guy de Maupassant. In other words, it’s an iconic destination that begs to be seen. Even better, Étretat is an easy day trip from Paris — less than three hours away by train.

Still something of an under-the-radar region, Brittany is known for its rich Celtic heritage, unique gastronomy and craggy coasts along the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. Atlantic waves make it ideal for surfing, and Belle-Île is home to one of the best surfing beaches in France. Plage du Donnant, on the island’s western side, is a golden stretch of sand with spectacular, rugged views and exemplary wave-riding conditions. It’s the kind of beach that leaves you in awe of nature — and ready to grab a surfboard. Several surf schools offer rentals if you’re looking to give it a try. When the ocean is calm, the beach also makes a fantastic spot for families with kids. Stick around for sunset: the rocky coast bathed in pink skies is a sight you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a paradisiacal corner of Corsica that’s easy to reach — no remote trek required. Located southeast of Porto-Vecchio, Palombaggia checks all the boxes for one of the most beautiful beaches in France. Stretching for over a mile, it offers fine white sand, crystal-clear warm waters, beachside bars and plenty of facilities. It’s the kind of place where you can lounge and swim surrounded by pine forests. Plus, nearby beaches like Tamaricciu and de la Folaca offer even more dreamy white sand, making any visit here a guaranteed win. Just a heads-up: in summer, the shores fill up fast so plan to arrive early to snag a good spot. Palombaggia is also home to some of the best beach bars on the island, like the popular Playa Baggia.

Here’s a beach in France like no other. Europe’s tallest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat, rises 106 meters high, creating a natural marvel that also happens to be one of the country’s most unique coastal stretches. Located southwest of Bordeaux, it’s the ultimate place to feel the raw power of the Atlantic Ocean. Kick off your shoes and climb the dunes barefoot for an unforgettable experience. Swimming is possible here but is best left to experienced swimmers. One activity you shouldn’t miss? Paragliding — soaring above this immense sandy landscape is a true bucket-list adventure. At the base of the dunes, Plage Robinson offers a more typical Atlantic beach experience, with plenty of space to lay out your towel. The area surrounding Dune du Pilat is also a popular spot for camping.

The coast south of Marseille is famous for its calanques — magnificent, steep-walled inlets that define the South of France. Port Pin is one of the most dramatic calanques that’s still relatively easy to reach. Located just outside the charming port town of Cassis, it’s a picture-perfect Mediterranean dream. Cicadas hum in the trees, pine forests frame the tiny pebbly stretch and the turquoise waters shimmer in the sun. The scenery at Port Pin is truly one-of-a-kind, making it one of the best beach spots in France. It’s about a 45-minute hike from the parking lot to the water, so come prepared for a little trek. The waters here are usually exceptionally calm and you can jump straight into the deep blue from the many sun-warmed rocks.