20 best beaches in France

Thanks to its three long stretches of coastline, France has plenty of great beaches. From upmarket resorts to the secluded calanques (coves) and beaches steeped with historical significance, there are a variety of opportunities for fans of the sand. Here is our selection of the 20 best beaches in France.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to France, your essential guide for France.

1. Barneville, Barneville-Carteret, Normandy

Both sides of these twinned towns have good stretches of sand, but visitors who prefer to stay right beside a beach should head for Barneville, directly across the mouth of the bay. Here, an endless exposed stretch of clean, firm sand is backed by a long row of weather-beaten villas and the occasional hotel.

Find out which season is best for a beach vacation with our guide to the best time to travel in France.

2. Utah Beach, Normandy

This, the westernmost of the Invasion Beaches is steeped in history. On D-Day, 23,000 men and 1700 vehicles landed here. A minor coast road traces the edge of the dunes and enables visitors to follow the course of the fighting. Ships deliberately sunk to create artificial breakwaters are visible at low tide, and markers along the seafront commemorate individual fallen heroes.

Where to stay in Normandy:

• For Barneville beach: Hôtel des Isles
• For Utah beach: Relais de la Liberte - Utah Beach

Find more accommodation options to stay in Normandy

3. Wissant, Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Some 20km south of Calais, Wissant is a small, attractive place, popular with windsurfers and weekending Britons drawn to its enormous beach. It’s long been a preferred beach and has an interesting history as Julius Caesar launched his expedition to England from here in 55BC.

Dreaming of a holiday in France? Start planning your trip by finding out how to get there.

4. Les Sables-D’Olonne, Pays de la Loire

Although the town fringes are rather overdeveloped, the centre of Les Sables-D’Olonne retains some of its gaudy charm and is a popular destination for its vast curve of pristine beach. There is plenty to do here from sailing to surfing – the surf is perfect for beginners.

Dreaming of going to the best beaches in France? Why stop there? Read our list of the best beaches in Europe.

5. Plage de Saleccia, Corsica

A huge sweep of soft, white sand and turquoise sea, this beach was used as the location for the invasion sequences in the film The Longest Day. The beach is difficult to reach – a five and a half hour walk from the protected nature reserve of Désert des Agriates – but it’s worth it as it’s one of the beaches along this rugged coastline.

With its stunning beaches, famous French Alps and beautiful landscapes, France is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Explore our complete list of the most beautiful countries from around the world and choose your perfect destination.

6. Calvi, Corsica

This beach sweeps around the bay from the end of Quai Landry, but most of the first kilometre or so is owned by bars which rent out sun loungers for a hefty price. To avoid these, follow the track behind the sand, which will bring you to the start of a more secluded stretch. The sea might not be as sparklingly clear as at many other Corsican beaches, but it’s warm, shallow and free of rocks.

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7. Palombaggia Beach, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica

A golden semicircle of sand edged by short twisted umbrella pines and red rocks, the plage de Palombaggia is south Corsica’s trademark beach, and indisputably one of the most beautiful bays in Europe. Come here outside the school holidays, when it’s not overwhelmingly crowded, and you’ll find it hard to resist the striking colours and serene, clear water.

Just south of here are two other smaller, quieter beaches – Cala di la Folaca and the Plage d’Acciaju – where the sand is just as white and the water equally translucent.

8. Porto, Corsica - one of the best beaches in France for wild nature

The beach of Porto consists of a pebbly cove just beyond the shoulder of the massive rock supporting the tower. To reach it from the marina, follow the little road that skirts the rock, cross the wooden bridge which spans the River Porto on your left, then walk through the car park under the trees.

Although it’s rather rocky and exposed, and the sea very deep, the great crags overshadowing the shore give the place a vivid, wild atmosphere.

Where to stay in Corsica:

• For Calvi beach: Le Saint Erasme
• For Porto beach: Les Flots Bleus

Find more accommodation options to stay in Corsica

9. St-Jean-de-Luz, Aquitaine

With its fine sandy bay – the most protected of the Basque beaches – and magnificent old quarter speckled with half-timbered mansions, St-Jean-de-Luz remains the most attractive resort on the Basque coast. And despite being overrun by families in peak season this is one of the best beaches in France.

10. Bandol, Provence-Alps-Côte-d’Azur

From the Port de la Madrague, at the eastern end of Les Lecques’ Bay, there is a signposted 10km coastal path that runs through a stretch of secluded beaches. Here you unspoilt calanques (steep-walled coves) to the unpretentious resort of Bandol.

Note that the Côte d'Azur is notoriously expensive. If you're looking for a beach destination that doesn't hit your budget, the city of Montpellier is renowned for its beaches and atmosphere just like the French Riviera.

Southern France is a paradise for foodies, history lovers, sun admirers and many more. It combines endless beaches with easy access to hot spots like Antibes, Monaco and Cannes. On this tailor-made trip to Essential French Riviera, you will explore the coast with a private, bilingual guide to make the most of your time in France.

11. The Bay of Lannion, Brittany

Despite being set significantly back from the sea on the estuary of the River Léguer, Lannion gives its name to a huge coastal bay – and it’s the bay rather than the town that is most likely to impress. One enormous beach stretches from St-Michel-en-Grève, which is little more than a bend in the road, as far as Locquirec; at low tide you can walk hundreds of metres out on the sands.

12. St Malo, Brittany

Beyond the walls of St Malo’s citadelle (fortress) is a huge beach that stretches east beyond the featureless resort-suburb of Paramé. When the tide is low, it’s safe to walk out to the tiny island of Grand-Bé – the walk is so popular that sometimes you even need to queue to get onto the short causeway.

Solemn warnings are posted of the dangers of attempting to return from the island when the tide has risen too far – if you’re too late, you can’t get back.

Where to stay in Brittany:

• For St Malo beach: Hôtel des Marins, Saint-Malo
• For sea views: Hotel De La Mer

Find more accommodation options to stay in Brittany

13. Cap Blanc-Nez – Cap Gris-Nez, Pas de Calais

Just here, between the prominent headlands of Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez, the D940 coast road winds high above the sea, allowing you to appreciate the “opal” in the name – the sea and sky merging in an opalescent, oyster-grey continuum.

The southern part of the coast is flatter, and the beach, uninterrupted for 40km, is backed by pine-anchored dunes and brackish tarns, punctuated by German pillboxes toppled over by the shifting sands.

14. Côte Sauvage, Poitou-Charentes

For a gloriously unspoilt stretch of sand head to Côte Sauvage, a wild and highly unswimmable part of the Atlantic coastline, where the stormy seas look like snowy mountain tops. The sheltered eastern side has safe and calm sandy beaches, and plenty of campsites.

15. Golfe de Morbihan

For plenty of choice, the sheltered Golfe du Morbihan – meaning “little sea” in Breton – is one of the loveliest stretches of Brittany’s coast and one of the best beaches in France. While its only large town, medieval Vannes, is well worth visiting, its endlessly indented shoreline is the major attraction, with superb vistas at every turn, and countless secluded beaches.

It is said that the gulf used to hold an island for every day of the year, but rising seas have now left fewer than one per week.

16. Plage des Dames, Île de Noirmoutier

Île de Noirmoutier is a 20km-long island of sandy inlets, pine forests and salt marshes. In the busiest of the island’s towns lies one of the best beaches in France, Plage des Dames, with quaint little painted bathing huts and fine yellow sand.

17. Grande Plage, Biarritz

This legendary beach, great for showing off your board and sun tan is situated on the north edge of the old town by the famous casino. With its golden sand, beautiful views and famous backdrop this is one of the best beaches in France. People come here in their droves to see and be seen. Consequently, restrictions on the number of bathers and surfers come into force at busier times.

18. Plage Marbella and Plage de la Côte des Basques, Biarritz

These beaches, situated south of a rocky outcrop, are two clear kilometres of sand and surf, although the latter loses its sandy beach at high tide leaving perilous rocks to circumnavigate the way back to land. A number of surf schools and board-hire companies can be found at the north end near the old town.

Where to stay in Biarritz:

• For city stays: Hôtel PALMITO
• For beach stays: Hôtel Le Windsor Biarritz

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19. Le Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Provence

A line of beaches, sculpted into little crescents by stone breakwaters and busy with bathers and windsurfers in summer, stretches away west from Stes-Maries’ central core of white-painted, orange-tiled houses, while the pleasure port to the east offers boat trips to the lagoons and fishing expeditions.

Immerse yourself in the Mediterranean lifestyle with this 5-day tailor-made trip to the French Riviera. Staying just 2 miles from the charming town of Antibes, you may opt to pass the days soaking up on the sun on the golden sands of the Côte d'Azur, or exploring this alluring part of the world.

20. Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Closing off Villefranche’s bay to the east is Cap Ferrat, justifiably among the Côte d’Azur’s most desirable addresses due to the lack of through traffic and its pretty, indented coast. The one town, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, is a typical Riviera hideout for the wealthy: old houses overlooking modern yachts in a fishing port turned millionaires’ resort.

The Cap’s coastal walks are delightfully traffic-free – if you don’t count the endless yachts and motorboats offshore – and there are some of the best beaches in France to discover. Paloma Plage on the north side of Pointe de St-Hospice - a luxurious beach long considered one of the most beautiful beach spots on the Riviera, perfect for an exclusive, relaxing break.

If you are looking for more inspiration for your French trip read our guide to the best things to do in France. Or explore our guide to French Polynesia and find even more spectacular beach destinations.

Ready for a trip to France? Check out The Rough Guide to France. If you travel further, read more about the best time to go, the best places to visit and best things to do in France. For inspiration use the France itineraries from our France Travel Guides and our local travel experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there.

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Top image: Calvi, Corsica, France © stilicone/Shutterstock