The places, most named first
From the 8 guides that rank for "best beaches in france"
Named by 5 of 81. Calanques (Cassis and Marseille)A national park of limestone cliffs and sandy coves between Cassis and Marseille.Reaching En-Vau means a challenging hike, so it suits active visitors.
Named by 4 of 82. Antibes and Juan-les-PinsSits halfway between Cannes and Nice on a peninsula with warm, sandy beachfront.The town beach is described as family friendly.
Named by 4 of 83. Saint-Jean-Cap-FerratA peninsula less than 30 minutes by car from Nice, home to Plage Paloma.Plage Paloma suits swimming, kayaking and paddle-boarding.
Named by 3 of 84. Palombaggia, CorsicaNear Porto-Vecchio on the south coast, with clear water and pine-backed sand.Shallow water makes it workable for families with children; snorkeling and kayaking are on offer.
Named by 3 of 85. Saint-Tropez and PampelonnePampelonne stretches over five kilometers with beach clubs and restaurants.Best from June to September, when the beach is busiest.
Named by 3 of 86. BrittanyBelle-Île-en-Mer is a 50-minute ferry from the north coast and has a mile of white sand at Grands Sables.The Pink Granite Coast has granite rock formations along the shore.Named by 3 of 87. BiarritzWaves on the Basque coast suit beginners and experienced surfers alike.Has been a holiday town for royalty since the 1800s and sits on the Bay of Biscay.
Named by 3 of 88. DeauvilleKnown for its boardwalk and colorful beach huts, and nicknamed the Parisian Riviera.The best time is June to September, when the town holds events and festivals.
Named by 3 of 89. ÉtretatA pebble beach beneath chalk cliffs and natural arches that inspired Claude Monet.Suited to strolls, picnics and photography; May to September has mild weather.Named by 2 of 810. NiceNice has pebble beaches, so water shoes help.The Réserve de Nice beaches have rock formations and coves, but the coves flood in high summer.Best time to visit Nice
Named by 2 of 811. Marseille (Prado beaches)Prado is a cluster of three beaches reached easily from the city centre, good for families.Pairs a beach day with a city break in France's second largest city.
Named by 2 of 812. Omaha BeachOne of the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, a place of remembrance.Today a wide sandy stretch backed by dunes and greenery.
Named by 2 of 813. PorquerollesA car-free island reached by a short ferry from Hyères.The island has plenty of beaches to try.
Named by 2 of 814. Beaulieu-sur-MerA small village about 8 km from Nice, a few train stops away.Plage des Fourmis is a gravel beach with shallow water and views of Villa Kerylos.
15. MentonPlage des Sablettes sits below the old town and is mostly fine pebbles with calm, shallow water.Has showers, lockers and a summer lifeguard, with a train station about an 18-minute walk away.
16. Hyères (Almanarre)Hyères is the oldest resort on the French Riviera; Almanarre has soft sand and warm shallow water.Popular with kite surfers.
17. Île de RéNicknamed the white island for its light sand, with long flat beaches.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name May to June and September to October as the best time to visit France.
Questions people ask
- Which French coastal town is considered the prettiest?
- Pages in the pack point to Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Biarritz and Étretat, but none ranks one town as the prettiest.
