The 32 best beaches in France, from Normandy to Marseille

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Look closely enough, and you'll find that the best beaches in France aren't all just on the famous French Riviera. Though the South of France has some pretty iconic stretches of sand – bonjour Antibes, Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – you'll find many more spots to get some sun along France's 3,400 miles of coastline. Ever checked out the strikingly beautiful shores of Normandy in the north? Or the gorgeous nearly-Spanish scenes of Biarritz, in the west? You could get technical and say that some of the best beaches in France include les plages of Tahiti, a part of the country – but the islands of Île de Ré in the Bay of Biscay and Belle-Île-en-Mer in Brittany prove that there's more to France's stunningly beautiful geography than meets the eye.
Below are 32 of the best beaches in France, found on various European coasts, and all offering a sampler of the beautifully diverse landscapes of the country. We've also included tips on how to get to these gorgeous French beaches, as well as where to stay nearby. Pack a pair of sandals, your best sunscreen, and get a taste of la douceur de vivre.
This is an adapted version of an article that was first published on Condé Nast Traveler.
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Calanque De Port-Pin
This small sand and pebble cove is one of the loveliest hidden spots along a hiking trail of white limestone cliffs, where bonsai pines spring from rocky crevasses and the plunging sea views are nothing short of sublime. You’ll need proper walking boots, or, at a pinch, trainers, for the slippery stone and a supply of water and snacks, since you’ll probably want to linger until sunset.
Where to stay: Reach the beach from Le Petit Nice Passedat – one of Marseille's most opulent hotels, home to a Michelin-starred restaurant.
How to get there: From the car park at the peninsula of Port Miou, it’s a 25-minute walk; another option is hiring a Zodiac or a canoe from Cassis harbour to tour the calanques at your leisure.
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Plage De L'Ouille, Collioure
Tucked away between Argelès-sur-Mer and Collioure, this peaceful gravelly beach is a snorkeller’s dream surrounded by flowering Mediterranean plants. You’re deep in Fauvist country, where Matisse made preliminary sketches for Le Bonheur de Vivre and the sea is a striking shade of aqua. The on-the-beach snack bar, l’Imprévue, serves Catalan-style tapas, grilled sardines and local wines.
Where to stay: Check into Hôtel-Restaurant Les Roches Brunes for food as comforting as the chic bedrooms.
How to get there: Take the path down to the sea from the car park at the campsite Les Criques de Porteils. Die-hard trekkers can also opt for the clifftop coastal trail from Collioure, with splendid views of the rocky Pyrénées coast and a 17th-century fortress.
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Plage De Trousse-Chemise, Ile De Re
The curious name of this fine-sand beach (‘rolled-up sleeves’) sitting between the lapping waves and a pine forest was immortalised in the 1960s with Charles Aznavour’s melancholic hit song ‘Trousse Chemise’ and is still one of the prettiest spots on this bucolic 19-mile-long island. Expect dunes galore, wild marshes and whitewashed villages filled with Bermuda-clad Parisians whizzing past on their rickety bicycles. Head to nearby beachside restaurant Cabane de la Patache for a lunch of fresh oysters or mussels and fries.
Where to stay: Our guide to the best hotels in Île de Ré is the best place to start.
How to get there: Take the toll bridge from La Rochelle and drive to the village of Les Portes-en-Ré, where the wealthy long-established summer residents have homes. Follow the signs to La Patache and take the path through the woods.
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Plage D'Herlin, Belle-Ile-En-Mer, Brittany
Fringed by around 60 sensational beaches, Belle-île-en-Mer (‘beautiful island in the sea’) is the largest of Brittany’s islands, and is renowned for its sharp cliffs, stunning greenery and more recently an eco-friendly ethos. Hire an electric car and head to Plage d’Herlin, on the south coast between Bangor and Locmaria, an estuary with two golden-sand beaches. Barnacles and mussels still cling to the rocks of the fiercely protected coastline but don’t pry them off – for superb platters of shellfish, try the restaurant of the newly renovated Wilmotte-designed Hotel du Phare in Sauzon, only a 15-minute drive north.
Where to stay: Castel Clara Thalasso and Spa, a short drive to the island's west, looks over its own picturesque cove.
How to get there: It’s a 45-minute ride to Le Palais by ferry from Quiberon on the mainland; additional boats run from the ports of Vannes, Port Navalo, Le Croisic and La Turballe from April to September. From the D25, turn off at Kervarijon, where there’s a car park, then take the footpath down to the ocean.
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Plage Fe Saleccia, Near Saint-Florence, Corsica
This deserted sand (where Sixties D-day drama The Longest Day was shot) is where Corsicans steer their sailboats for the best scuba diving and snorkelling, even in high season. Call it natural splendour in high technicolour: shimmering sea, the curve of the maquis hugging the shore and the mauve silhouette of Cap Corse in the distance.
Where to stay: We love the look of this guest-favourite Airbnb, ideal for a couple or small family with its floodlit plunge pool.
How to get there: Accessible by boat from Saint-Florent, on foot on the splendiferous coastal trail, or by car via the starkly lunar Désert des Agriates between Calvi and Saint-Florent. A four-wheel drive is advisable for the unpaved and deeply rutted eight-mile route from the main road, D81, down to the beach.
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Plage Yport, Normandy
With a backdrop of dramatic cliffs, an indigo sea and pretty red-brick houses – a landscape that has inspired everyone from Corot and Monet to de Maupassant and Gide – this small fishing village nestled in a valley between Fécamp and Etretat offers an alluring stretch of soft sand that is blissfully off the mainstream tourist track. Neighbouring restaurants serve fresh grilled prawns, seafood crêpes and Norman apple cider.
Where to stay: Embrace French commune life nearby with a stay at this Airbnb, boasting breathtaking open-sea views.
How to get there: Take the coastal road D211 and park in the village at the Casino. The beach is also easily accessible for trekkers on the clifftop GR21 trail, with mesmerising views.
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Plage Des Dames, Ile De Noirmoutier, La Vendee
About an hour and a half from Nantes, this little-known postcard-perfect isle in the Bay of Biscay is a long-established haven for generations of French families with holiday homes who come for its low-key, unpretentious atmosphere. Located in the northeast corner near Bois de la Chaise, the Plage des Dames oozes nostalgic charm, with its row of chic on-the-beach changing cabins left over from the 19th century. You’ll see kids scrambling on the rocks, crab-hunting, and grandfathers fishing off the long wooden jetty, plus there are plenty of water sports, including a sailing school.
Where to stay: Villa Arthus-Bertrand is within easy reach and is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding area of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île.
How to get there: Drive or cycle across the bridge at Fromentine or wait for low tide and take the Passage du Gois, a two-and-a-half-mile beach route with spectacular ocean vistas. Parking is available near the beach, but most come by bike.
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Plage De L'Escalet, Ramatuelle
Beyond the celebrated Pampelonne beaches where the bronzed and the beautiful move to a throbbing base, this eye-catching sandy cove, hidden away between Cap Camarat and Cap Taillat, is a different kind of wild. Explore the many little inlets nearby with your snorkel and fins, or glide through the clear water in a kayak. Work up an appetite with a stroll down the rocky coastal footpath (a six-mile stretch that leads all the way from Croix-Valmer), then treat yourself to a healthy Michelin-star lunch at La Voile at La Réserve, Ramatuelle, only a five-minute drive from the beach.
Where to stay: Villa L'Estanquet is a short walk from this, and other spectacular sunbathing spots.
How to get there: Take the Route de l’Escalet, which leads to a small car park, or try for a space on the Promenade de la Baie de Bon.
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Plage D’Erretegia, Bidart
Just north of Bidart on the road to Biarritz, this green creek surrounded by bluffs has been painstakingly preserved to protect the endangered local vegetation and is, unsurprisingly, a treasured spot for locals. The scenic five-minute path down to the beach is an easy walk or you can rent an electric bike and whip down the newly paved paths. There are no water sports or sunbeds for hire, but you can take a break from the heat at the snack shack Kala Txiki, where they dish up chipirons – Basque-style calamari with garlic and saffron.
Where to stay: Why not explore two countries in one trip? The world-renowned dishes of San Sebastián are just a 45-minute drive away, over the border into Spain. See our guide to the best hotels in San Sebastián for all the inspiration you'll need.
How to get there: Once you’re in the fisherman’s village of Bidart, take rue Erretegia and bear left to the car park.
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Plages Des Dunes, Plages Des Dunes Cap Ferret
Cap Ferret, a bling-free finger-shaped slip of land west of Bordeaux, is where everyone from the boho-chic to hardcore surfers goes to unwind in an unspoiled setting, with soft-sand beaches lining both sides of the peninsula. For the full back-to-nature trip, walk south past the pretty ocean beach, Plage de l’Horizon, where families splash in the waves, to the less frequented wild refuge of Plage des Dunes, where there is no lifeguard. If you’re feeling peckish, there are oyster shacks and driftwood beach bars only a short bike ride away.
Where to stay: You can't get much closer than Hôtel des Dunes, a humble yet chic property just a short walk from the sands.
How to get there: By car, take the D106 in the direction of Sémaphore du Cap Ferret to the car park at the end of the road that leads to the beach. Alternatively, you can hire a bike or hop on the petit train from the village of Lège-Cap-Ferret. Don’t be put off by the slightly arduous path, a 15-minute trek through the dunes.
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Calanque D'Antheor, Le Trayas, Saint Raphael
Expect to be astonished by the nine-mile stretch of rugged Estérel coastline, with its series of secluded creeks and red-rock calanques – among them, Maubois, Cap Roux, Saint-Barthélémy and Petit Caneiret – often hidden from view below pine-shaded bluffs. The combo of limpid jade water, craggy rust-coloured rocks and russet pebbly beaches is unlike anywhere on the Riviera, but you’re on your own – no lifeguards, no food. If you crave a proper lunch, there’s a friendly snack shack, La Cabane, on a curve in the road near the towering viaduct five minutes by car up the coast.
Where to stay: La Fiesole is a charming abode within easy reach of the coast on foot or by car. It's humble lodgings compared to the glitzy hotels in nearby Cannes, but all the better for it.
How to get there: Take the winding coastal route D6098 between Saint Raphaël and Théoule-sur-mer and park on the roadside.
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Plage de la Mala, Cap D'Ail
From above, this turquoise pebbly cove flanked by tall granite cliffs still has a timeless Riviera feel and is well worth the trek. Don’t bother lugging a picnic – the two beach restaurants serve fresh fish and plenty of chilled local rosé. It’s a favourite with the Monégasque beau monde in high season, so book ahead for a sunbed or unfurl your futon on the public beach and dive in.
Where to stay: When you're this close to Monaco, it'd be a shame not to see what one of Europe's most fascinating hideouts offers with a bucket list stay at Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo.
How to get there: Most arrive by boat, but early birds can usually nab a parking space. The fig tree-shaded stone steps lead straight to the beach – from the train station, they’re a short hike around the coastal path.
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Plage Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Set back on the lush finger of land where the likes of Cocteau, Matisse and Chagall once painted, this beautiful beach in the south of France is popular with snorkellers, local families and a smart set who come by yacht. There’s something for everyone, whether you dine on fresh grilled fish at Paloma’s elegant restaurant or grab a pan bagnat at Le Cabanon down the road. The highlight is the sweeping coastal view, even better from a paddle board or jet-ski, which can both be found for hire.
Where to stay: Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, set across seven hectares of stunning manicured gardens, is one of the most opulent hotels along this stretch of coast.
How to get there: Street parking near the village is the best bet; buses from Nice stop at the harbour, a short walk away.
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Plage Notre-Dame, Ile De Porquerolles
It’s no secret that the small government-protected island of Porquerolles is a treasure trove of natural beauty, with forests of pine and eucalyptus, vineyards and wild stretches of beaches – which explains why everyone from day-trippers to serious scuba divers flocks here year-round. Pick up a sandwich (and plenty of water) in the village square before you set off to the crystalline shallows of Notre Dame, a long curve of white sand where you can relax in the shade of a windswept pine to the tune of thrumming cicadas.
Where to stay: You'll feel right at home in this apartment with sea view and pool, just a short drive away.
How to get there: Ferries to Porquerolles run from La Tour Fondue in Hyères, Le Lavandou, Cavalaire-sur-Mer and La Croix Valmer. Bike rentals (including carrier trailers for children in tow) are de rigueur in this car-free paradise.
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Plage de Tamaricciu, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica
The gorgeous nine-mile stretch of white-sand coves from Plage de Palombaggia to Santa Giulia is for those who would gladly forgo a plump mattress on a glamorous private beach for a wade through these dreamy pale-turquoise shallows. Find a shady spot under a parasol pine and stay until sundown, when the stacked rounded rocks take on a surreal pink glow. You can grab a snack at beach hut La Paillote or assemble your own picnic with a hunk of cheese and figatellu (wild-boar liver sausage) and chestnut-flour cookies from the roadside stands.
Where to stay: Use nearby Porto-Vecchio as your base and check into Hôtel Don Cesar.
How to get there: By air or by ferry from Marseille, Toulon and Nice to Porto-Vecchio. When driving, don’t miss the sudden bend in the road, southwest of Plage Palombaggia, that takes you to Tamaricciu. Roadside parking is sometimes scarce.
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Palombaggia Beach, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica
Located between France and Italy, the island of Corsica feels like it belongs in two nations at once. At Porto-Vecchio, on the southern coast facing Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea, visit Palombaggia Beach for bright, clear water, pink-tinted, rock-free sand, and gentle afternoon breezes.
Where to stay: Run by the same family since the 1970s, Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa has the lively, everyone-knows-everyone vibe of a sprawling beachfront villa with white-stucco domed ceilings and its own lick of oceanfront real estate dotted with sunbeds and parasols.
How to get there: To reach Corsica, the most convenient option is by plane: Figari–Sud Corse Airport has connections to and from continental Europe through hubs like London, Geneva, and Paris; all flights are about two hours or less. You can also take a ferry from port cities like Marseille in France and Genoa in Italy – these take longer (anywhere from six to 12 hours), but you can bring along a car onto the boat.
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Les Calanques de Cassis, Provence
Calanques are long, thin inlets lined by natural rocks like limestone, and there are few more beautiful examples than the ones near Cassis – sitting pretty along the Mediterranean and offsetting the bright teal water. The views are worth it alone, but be aware that this stretch of sand is better known for its sightseeing than its swimming.
Where to stay: The gorgeous Hôtel Les Roches Blanches sits near the beaches of Cassis town, and the Calanques are within a short hike away, a maximum of one hour. The nearest, Calanque de Port-Miou will take you just a 15-minute walk.
How to get there: The closest big city to Cassis is Marseille; the two are separated by just a 45-minute drive by car (or a 1.5-hour bus ride). Marseille, one of our Best Places to Go in 2025, is accessible directly via plane from many cities in Europe, and of course by high-speed train from Paris (and even London).
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Antibes, French Riviera
About halfway between Cannes and Nice, Antibes is home to a peninsula that juts out into the sea, maximising the amount of available warm, sandy, easy-to-walk-on beachfront. Nothing quite captures the essence of the Riviera quite like watching superyachts pass by your sunbathing spot.
Where to stay: The top choice for a resort in Antibes is none other than the utterly sumptuous Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, a name practically synonymous with French-Riviera glamour; it was also included in our 2024 Gold List of editor-favorite hotels around the world.
How to get there: From Paris, take the TGV from Gare de Lyon to Antibes; the ride will take you the entire afternoon, but will also let you soak up scenes of the French countryside. From Nice (many international airlines fly seasonal routes to this city), you can take the regional train to Antibes – it takes just 25 minutes.
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Plage de la Côte des Basques, Biarritz
A renowned summer getaway for royals and celebrities alike (you might remember it from Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises), the “wild beaches” of Biarritz – located in Basque Country along the Bay of Biscay – are also hugely popular with surfers thanks to their mellow, safe-for-beginners waves.
Where to stay: Everything about Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is befitting of its ritzy address, from the frescoed ballroom to the beach air wafting directly into the guest rooms.
How to get there: Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ) has nonstop connections to cities all over Western Europe, from Dublin to Stockholm. By high-speed train, getting to Biarritz from Paris takes just four hours; catch a ride at Gare Montparnasse.
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Étretat, Normandy
Located along France’s Alabaster Coast, the pebble beach of Étretat is popular among sailors and surfers. But most visitors come to this stretch of coast in Upper Normandy for one reason: the famous chalk cliffs and arched rock formations. At various points along Étretat's 80-mile stretch, you’ll find natural sculptures that have inspired travellers and artists (most notably Claude Monet) for ages.
Where to stay: La Ferme Saint Simeon, a Relais & Chateaux hotel in a former artist's colony (the region is the birthplace of Impressionism), is just an hour from the beach at Étretat. It's located in Honfleur, a very cool port city that's also worth checking out; it sits across the Crique de Rouen (the mouth of the Seine!) from Le Havre.
How to get there: Teeny tiny Étretat is about three hours by car from Paris. If you want to get there by public transport, take the TER from the capital (buy your ticket at Saint-Lazare) to Le Havre – the ride takes about two and a half hours – then catch a bus to the pebbly shores.
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Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula near Nice is a playground for European elites: There’s a Rothschild estate complete with sprawling gardens and a beach named for Paloma Picasso, daughter of the artist Pablo. Walk a steep staircase down to the rocky shore and be rewarded with wide, sweeping views of the sea.
Where to stay: More like an opulent seaside palace, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, a mainstay of our Readers’ Choice Awards, effortlessly combines old-school glamour with unpretentious, relaxed elegance.
How to get there: From Nice, take public transport – or, to do as the Riviera jetset do, hire a chauffeur – and travel 30 minutes to this exclusive little peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean.
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Porquerolles Island, Hyères
Though a mere five miles off of the southern French coast, the Île de Porquerolles feels much farther away. The entire island is car-free, which gives all of its beaches a relaxed, casual feel – perfect for toting a picnic and riding a bike.
Where to stay: Accessed by a rough, hilly road set in a forest and perched above two coves, Le Mas du Langoustier is one of the most beautiful places on an already beautiful island.
How to get there: Whether you're coming from Cannes, Nice, Marseille, or tiny Toulon, you'll have to take a ferry from Port de la Tour Fondue on the Giens peninsula. From there, travel time to Porquerolles Island is just 15 minutes – just be sure to book your ticket early, especially if you're visiting in the summer season.
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Belle-Île-en-Mer, Brittany
Another favourite of Claude Monet, Belle-Île-en-Mer’s rugged coastline is more than worth the 45-minute ferry ride from Quiberon. After filling up on steamed moules and white wine in town, join the surfers at Plage Donnant, a beach lined with cliffs and dunes with tidal pools to explore at low tide.
Where to stay: Make time to book plenty of hydrotherapy treatments at Castel Clara, a Relais & Chateaux property perched on a clifftop on the island’s southwest coast.
How to get there: As we mentioned, you have to take a boat to Belle-Île from Quiberon, a small French commune on a peninsula of the same name. To reach Quiberon, drive two hours from the city of Nantes, which, in turn, is easily accessible from Paris via TGV. (Practically speaking, Belle-Île perhaps belongs best on an itinerary that hits all of these places, as it's a bit too involved as a day trip from the capital.)
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Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Easily one of the most iconic sites in France, the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel rises above the sand banks and tidal pools like a mirage. While the iconic Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel gets most of the attention, the surrounding Bay of Mont Saint-Michel is just as spectacular, with a variety of wildlife and the highest tides in Europe. For an unforgettable experience, book a guided walk across the bay, where you can cross those famous pools in your bare feet.
Where to stay: The grand estate of Château d’Audrieu is surprisingly perfect for families, complete with a tree house, huge lawn, and swings.
How to get there: Getting to Normandy from Paris, a car is the simplest option; the drive takes about four hours – time it right (and depending on the time of year), you'll catch the bay at low tide during sunset.
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Cap Coz, Brittany
An essential stop on any Brittany road trip, Cap Coz has a string of small beaches that are never crowded. Start walking on the peninsula’s hiking path along the Breton Riviera, and you’ll easily see the entire rocky coastline, complete with sheltered bays great for afternoon swims.
Where to stay: If you want to stay close to the cape, the Hôtel Belle Vue in Fouesnant is a sweet little mom-and-pop where the owners personally greet you when you arrive.
How to get there: The nearest big city is Quimper; it's a 30-minute drive from Cap Coz. Quimper is a cool little spot – check out the twin Gothic spires of the Quimper Cathedral and the town's Faience Museum featuring its distinctive faience pottery – just four hours by TGV from the French capital.
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Île de Ré, Bay of Biscay
Off the western coast of France in the Bay of Biscay, Île de Ré is known as the “White Island” by locals due to both its soft, light sand and the elegant waterfront houses painted in neutral colours. Walk along the long, flat stretches of beach, but keep an eye out for the now-abandoned German bunker from World War II.
Where to stay: You can’t beat the port-side location of Hotel de Toiras – and the uniquely decorated rooms overlooking the garden certainly don’t hurt either.
How to get there: This island, connected to the mainland by Pont de l'île de Ré, is roughly equidistant from both Nantes and Bordeaux, both about two hours away by car (both cities are easily accessible from Paris by high-speed train). You can take a plane into either city from many European capitals, but if you're flying, you may as well book a ticket to Aéroport La Rochelle (LRH), just across the water from the island.
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Deauville Beach, Normandy
Deauville’s reputation was cemented by none other than Coco Chanel, who opened her first clothing store here in 1913. Her casual-chic, beach-inspired looks put both her – and the town’s lovely boardwalk lined with cute boutiques and ice cream vendors – on the map forever.
Where to stay: Conveniently located between Deauville and Honfleur, Hôtel La Chaumière is a family-owned stunner with smartly decorated rooms and a glass-walled yoga studio.
How to get there: This beach belongs to the tiny city of Trouville-sur-Mer (population: about 4,600), which you can easily reach by car or train from Paris. The travel takes about two and a half hours, making it a nice beach day trip from Paris, especially in the summer when you want to escape the city heat – and crowds.
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Côte de Granit Rose, Brittany
There’s no place in northwestern Brittany that’s quite as breathtaking as the Côte de Granit Rose (or the Pink Granite Coast), a coastline dotted with spectacular granite rock formations. The geology ranges from massive rose gold boulders to eroded pink sand; all contrasted beautifully against the grey foam of the sea.
Where to stay: Located in the heart of the Côte de Granit Rose, L’Agapa Hôtel Spa is a stylish place to rest up – and maybe grab a massage or two – between beach visits.
How to get there: This part of Brittany is about five hours by car away from Paris, so it's relatively straightforward if you've your own wheels. For public transport, however, your best bet would be to take the four-hour TGV ride from Paris to the port city of Brest, spending a night or two there before hiring a car for the short drive to the Pink Granite Coast.
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Port-Cros, Hyères
Surrounded by the first maritime national park in Europe, the island of Port-Cros is paradise for yacht owners, hippie sunbathers, and divers alike. Visit in September for the best weather and water conditions.
Where to stay: Hôtel Le Manoir is an ideal spot to live out your ultimate Provençal fantasies – grilled lobster and crème brûlée included.
How to get there: Port-Cros is just a 45-minute ferry from Le Port d'Hyères, which you can reach by bus from Toulon. Get to Toulon via the TGV from Paris (4 hours) or Marseille (45 minutes).
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Palavas-les-Flots, Montpellier
On a narrow peninsula about four miles from Montpellier is Palavas-les-Flots, a beach so beloved by the French that there’s a song about it in the Oscar-nominated film The Triplets of Belleville. Palavas-les-Flots is an easy spot to rent a kayak, sign up for sailing lessons, or try your hand at kitesurfing.
Where to stay: Hôtel Richer de Belleval (a Relais & Château) gave Montpellier a major luxury boost when it opened in 2021, boasting 15 dreamy rooms and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine.
How to get there: Montpellier is an easy TGV ride from Paris, clocking in at about three and a half hours. You can also fly in: Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport (MPL) has direct connections to London-Gatwick, Frankfurt, Rome, and even Istanbul.
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Pampelonne Beach, Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez’s name is synonymous with elegance and glamour, but you don't have to put on a tux or evening gown to set foot there. Head for breezy Pampelonne Beach, which has everything from five-star resort accommodations to a secluded stretch where you’re welcome to swim in the nude.
Where to stay: We've got a whole list of the best hotels in Saint-Tropez, but among the crème de la crème are the glittering jewels of the Airelles collection: Airelles Pan Dei Palais, closer to the water; and Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière, gleaming on its perch inland.
How to get there: This beach is just 10 minutes away by car from Saint-Tropez proper, which is best accessed from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE), an hour and a half away.
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Prado Beaches, Marseille
If you prefer your beach holiday to also include a city break, head to Marseille (the second biggest city in France) and spend a day at the Prado Beaches, a group of three beaches that are easily accessible from the city centre and great for families with kids. Keep an eye out for the replica of Michelangelo’s David, a popular selfie spot.
Where to stay: Tuba Club numbers among France’s most talked-about openings of the past few years – try your luck at nabbing one of only five cosy, sea-facing rooms.
How to get there: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) has plenty of direct and one-stop connection options thanks to Air France; by train from Paris, it's just a touch over three hours away.