Photo of French seaside resorts
 

Explore many of our favourite seaside resorts in France, with beach and town reviews

With thousands of kilometres of coast, on mainland France as well as Corsica, there are an endless choice of resorts and beaches to visit around France...while we haven't visited all of them, we have visited most of the important beaches and resorts, and have reviewed them on France This Way

It's always hard to choose a favorite village, town or attraction and beaches are no different, but if we were forced to choose, we would say that our favourite French beaches are in south Corsica around Porto-Vecchio - and we do enjoy a walk along the promenade behind Pereire beach between Arcachon and Le Moulleau...

Aquitaine

Anglet

Anglet (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)

Anglet, close to Biarritz, has several kilometres of beaches on the French Atlantic coast

See Anglet guide
Arcachon

Arcachon (Gironde)

Arcachon is one of our favourite seaside resorts in France and has lots to explore. Recommended!

See Arcachon guide
Biarritz

Biarritz (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)

The 19th century architecture and lovely beach and coast combine to make Biarritz a very popular destination

See Biarritz guide
Biscarrosse

Biscarrosse (Landes)

A small and modern sea resort Biscarrosse is also one of the liveliest and most popular in the region

See Biscarrosse guide
Capbreton

Capbreton (Landes)

Capbreton is a popular resort and beach that also has a traditional harbour and fish market

See Capbreton guide
Carcans

Carcans (Gironde)

Although small, Carcans-Plage is one of our favourite beach resorts in the Medoc

See Carcans guide
Advertisement
Hendaye

Hendaye (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)

Hendaye, the last resort in France before the Spanish border, also has a popular large sandy beach

See Hendaye guide
Hossegor

Hossegor (Landes)

Soorts is one of the smaller beach resorts along the extensive Atlantic coast in South-West France

See Hossegor guide
Hourtin

Hourtin (Gironde)

As well as its long beach, Hourtin also has the largest lake in France with lots of leisure activities

See Hourtin guide
Le Verdon-sur-Mer

Le Verdon-sur-Mer (Gironde)

The small resort of Le Verdon-sur-Mer is quiet but has long sandy beaches

See Le Verdon-sur-Mer guide
Mimizan

Mimizan (Landes)

The resort at Mimizan Plage is a popular destination with several kilometres of sandy beaches

See Mimizan guide
Moliets

Moliets (Landes)

Moliets is one of the more recently established resorts on the Atlantic coast, very popular with families

See Moliets guide
Montalivet

Montalivet (Gironde)

The resort of Montaliver has a 12 kilometre beach, and has been popular since the 19th century

See Montalivet guide
Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)

A long established beach resort, Saint-Jean-de-Luz also has a lively and popular town centre to explore

See Saint-Jean-de-Luz guide
Soulac-sur-Mer

Soulac-sur-Mer (Gironde)

Soulac-sur-Mer is a long established beach resort at the north of the Medoc peninsula

See Soulac-sur-Mer guide
Advertisement

Brittany

Binic

Binic (Cotes-d'Armor)

Binic is a small seaside resort with an attractive harbour and several beaches

See Binic guide
Camaret

Camaret (Finistere)

The pleasure port, local beaches, historic monuments and prehistoric standing stones nearby all make Camaret a popular Brittany destination

See Camaret guide
Carnac Plage

Carnac Plage (Morbihan)

Sooner or later you might fatigue of the thousands of prehistoric monuments in Carnac...now head for the small resort and beach at Carnac Plage!

See Carnac Plage guide
Douarnenez

Douarnenez (Finistere)

Tourism based around the beaches and pleasure port have largely overtaken fishing as the principal industry at Douarnenez

See Douarnenez guide
Erquy

Erquy (Cotes-d'Armor)

Erquy is a small resort near several sandy beaches and the viewpoint at Cap d'Erquy

See Erquy guide
Morgat

Morgat (Finistere)

The long sandy beach at Morgat has been the centre of activity here for more than 100 years, since the resort was first established

See Morgat guide
Perros-Guirec

Perros-Guirec (Cotes-d'Armor)

Peros-Guirec is a popular town in the heart of the beautiful Cote de Granit Rose

See Perros-Guirec guide
Sables-d'Or-les-Pins

Sables-d'Or-les-Pins (Cotes-d'Armor)

Sables-d'Or-les-Pins is a lovely beach on the Brittany coast

See Sables-d'Or-les-Pins guide
Saint-Briac-sur-Mer

Saint-Briac-sur-Mer (Ille-et-Vilaine)

The resort of Saint-Briac-sur-Mer is an attractive destination with lovely views, several beaches and a charming village centre

See Saint-Briac-sur-Mer guide
Saint-Cast-le-Guildo

Saint-Cast-le-Guildo (Cotes-d'Armor)

Saint-cast-le-Guildo is a small seaside resort with a sandy beach and easy access to attractive coastal scenery

See Saint-Cast-le-Guildo guide
Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer

Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer (Cotes-d'Armor)

Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer is a small town on a peninsula in Brittany that is surrounded by beaches

See Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer guide
Saint-Lunaire

Saint-Lunaire (Ille-et-Vilaine)

Saint-Lunaire is a small resort, established west of Dinard in the 19th century

See Saint-Lunaire guide
Tregastel

Tregastel (Cotes-d'Armor)

The resort of Tregastel has one of the nicest beaches in the area, and we also enjoyed following the coast path near here

See Tregastel guide

Corsica

Algajola

Algajola (Haute-Corse)

Algajola is a small historic town with a long sandy beach near Calvi in north-west Corsica

See Algajola guide
Calvi

Calvi (Haute-Corse)

A very popular town with visitors, the resort of Calvi with its citadel also has an extensive beach and an attractive town centre

See Calvi guide
Capo-di-Feno

Capo-di-Feno (Corse-du-Sud)

Capo-di-Feno, west of Ajaccio is home to two of the loveliest beaches in the region: Petit Capo and Grand Capo

See Capo-di-Feno guide
L'Ile-Rousse

L'Ile-Rousse (Haute-Corse)

L'Ile-Rousse is a busy town and beach resort in the Balagne region of north-west Corsica

See L'Ile-Rousse guide
Porticcio

Porticcio (Corse-du-Sud)

Porticcio is a beach resort in Corsica to the south of Ajaccio

See Porticcio guide
Porto Vecchio

Porto Vecchio (Corse-du-Sud)

Beaches are the main attraction in Porto-Vecchio, which is an attractive town and marina and is also close to splendid mountain scenery

See Porto Vecchio guide
Propriano

Propriano (Corse-du-Sud)

Propriano is a beach resort and harbour town in south-west Corsica

See Propriano guide
Saint-Florent

Saint-Florent (Haute-Corse)

Overlooked by its 15th century citadel Saint-Florent is a very popular resort with an interesting old town and harbour and easy access to beaches

See Saint-Florent guide

Gironde

Le Moulleau

Le Moulleau (Gironde)

Le Moulleau is a popular and attractive coastal and beach resort to the west of Arcachon

See Le Moulleau guide

Languedoc-Roussillon

Argeles-sur-Mer

Argeles-sur-Mer (Pyrenees-Orientales)

The long beach, the forest and the lively town mean Argeles-sur-Mer is a very popular summertime resort

See Argeles-sur-Mer guide
Banyuls-sur-Mer

Banyuls-sur-Mer (Pyrenees-Orientales)

As well as the beach in Banyuls-sur-Mer there is also an old town of narrow streets to explore

See Banyuls-sur-Mer guide
Cap d'Agde

Cap d'Agde (Herault)

The resort at Cap d'Agde is one of the liveliest on the Languedoc coast, well known for its naturist and non-naturist beaches

See Cap d'Agde guide
Collioure

Collioure (Pyrenees-Orientales)

With a very attractive traditional harbour town to exlore and a small beach, Collioure is our favourite Languedoc resort

See Collioure guide
La Grande-Motte

La Grande-Motte (Herault)

The 1960's architecture gives La Grande-Motte its unique character, and the long beach attracts the crowds!

See La Grande-Motte guide
Le Grau-du-Roi

Le Grau-du-Roi (Gard)

Le Grau-de-Roi is one of the most eastern, and one of the most popular, beach resorts in Languedoc-Roussillon

See Le Grau-du-Roi guide
Palavas-les-Flots

Palavas-les-Flots (Herault)

At Palavas-les-Flots you will find a long beach and a resort that is popular in summer

See Palavas-les-Flots guide
Saint Cyprien - Pyrenees Orientales

Saint Cyprien - Pyrenees Orientales (Pyrenees-Orientales)

Activity in the seaside resort of Saint-Cyprien is most definitely centred around the beach and seafront!

See Saint Cyprien - Pyrenees Orientales guide

Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Boulogne-sur-Mer

Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais)

The old town with its ramparts, castle and ancient streets are the highlight in Boulogne itself, while nearby there are plenty of good sandy beaches

See Boulogne-sur-Mer guide
Le Touquet

Le Touquet (Pas-de-Calais)

Upmarket Le Touquet is probably the most popular of the coastal resorts in the region, with a lovely beach and wide range of facilties

See Le Touquet guide

Normandy

Cabourg

Cabourg (Calvados)

One time favourite of Marcel Proust, Cabourg has one of the longest and active beaches in the region

See Cabourg guide
Deauville

Deauville (Calvados)

The resort of Deauville, established in the 19th century, is still one of the most upmarket beach resorts in Normandy

See Deauville guide
Granville

Granville (Manche)

Granville is best known for its long sandy beach, and the 19th century villas that follow the seafront

See Granville guide
Houlgate

Houlgate (Calvados)

The beach is certainly the main attraction at Houlgate, and there are also some imposing 19th century villas to see

See Houlgate guide
Saint-Valery-en-Caux

Saint-Valery-en-Caux (Seine-Maritime)

The area around the beach, harbour and marina in Saint-Valery-en-Caux is always very active in summer

See Saint-Valery-en-Caux guide
Trouville

Trouville (Calvados)

The long established resort at Trouville has retained lots of its 19th century villas, which provide much of the character of the town

See Trouville guide
Veulettes-sur-Mer

Veulettes-sur-Mer (Seine-Maritime)

The pebble beach and promenade are the big attraction on Veulettes-sur-Mer, but find time for the coast path as well!

See Veulettes-sur-Mer guide
Villers-sur-Mer

Villers-sur-Mer (Calvados)

Villers-sur-Mer is one of several friendly beach resorts along the Normandy coast

See Villers-sur-Mer guide
Villerville

Villerville (Calvados)

Less popular than neighbours Deauville and Trouville, the resort at Villerville also has a long beach

See Villerville guide
Yport

Yport (Seine-Maritime)

A small sea resort, Yport has a pebble beach and is close to attractive coastal cliff scenery

See Yport guide

Pays de la Loire

Bretignolles-sur-Mer

Bretignolles-sur-Mer (Vendee)

Bretignolles-sur-Mer is one of the smallest Vendee resorts - still has a big beach though!

See Bretignolles-sur-Mer guide
Chateau d'Olonne

Chateau d'Olonne (Vendee)

Chateau d'Olonne is a very small resort, well placed for exploring the coast and visiting Sables d'Olonne

See Chateau d'Olonne guide
Jard-sur-Mer

Jard-sur-Mer (Vendee)

Jard-sur-Mer is a very pleasant, if quite small, Vendee resort with a harbour and a beach

See Jard-sur-Mer guide
La Baule

La Baule (Loire-Atlantique)

La Baule-Escoblac is a very pleasant and popular resort with a long sandy beach - a toch of the French riviera in the north-west!

See La Baule guide
La Faute-sur-Mer

La Faute-sur-Mer (Vendee)

Here at La Faute-sur-Mer you can explore the nature reserve and peninsula - or relax on the long beach!

See La Faute-sur-Mer guide
La Tranche-sur-Mer

La Tranche-sur-Mer (Vendee)

La Tranche-sur-Mer is a small resort, but very pleasant and with an enjoyable promenade behind the beach

See La Tranche-sur-Mer guide
La Turballe

La Turballe (Loire-Atlantique)

Less developed than some resorts here, the centre of activity in La Turballe is the long sandy beach

See La Turballe guide
Le Pouliguen

Le Pouliguen (Loire-Atlantique)

If you visit the beach resort of Le Pouligueun be sure to follow the path that leads to the coastal caves

See Le Pouliguen guide
Les Moutiers-en-Retz

Les Moutiers-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)

The small town of Les Moutiers-en-Retz is best known for the nearby beach which attracts many summertime campers

See Les Moutiers-en-Retz guide
Longeville-sur-Mer

Longeville-sur-Mer (Vendee)

At Longeville-sur-Mer you will enjoy the lively market in the town as well as the sandy beach

See Longeville-sur-Mer guide
Pornichet

Pornichet (Loire-Atlantique)

The emphasis in Pornichet, immediately south of La Baule, is most certainly based around the long and sandy beach

See Pornichet guide
Sables d'Olonne

Sables d'Olonne (Vendee)

The lively town of Sables-d'Olonne is our favourite resort on the Vendee coast

See Sables d'Olonne guide
Saint-Brevin-les-Pins

Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique)

The beach at Saint-Brevin-les-Pins is the main attraction and we also enjoyed exploring the dunes and forest

See Saint-Brevin-les-Pins guide
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez

Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez (Vendee)

Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is the beach resort next to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

See Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez guide
Saint-Jean-de-Monts

Saint-Jean-de-Monts (Vendee)

At Saint-Jean-de-Monts you will enjoy the extensive sandy beaches and one of the livelier resorts on the Vendee coast

See Saint-Jean-de-Monts guide

Picardy

Fort-Mahon-Plage

Fort-Mahon-Plage (Somme)

Both the beach itself and the resort of Fort-Mahon-Plage are among the most popular coastal destinations in Picardy

See Fort-Mahon-Plage guide
Le Crotoy

Le Crotoy (Somme)

The long sandy beach is the main attraction in Le Crotoy, and the town is also very pleasant to explore

See Le Crotoy guide

Poitou-Charentes

Chatelaillon-Plage

Chatelaillon-Plage (Charente-Maritime)

The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere

See Chatelaillon-Plage guide
Fouras

Fouras (Charente-Maritime)

While the beaches are the main highlight here in Fouras, be sure to also visit the Vauban fortifications

See Fouras guide
La Tremblade

La Tremblade (Charente-Maritime)

Visit the beach and port at La Tremblade, and explore the sand dunes

See La Tremblade guide
Ronce-les-Bains

Ronce-les-Bains (Charente-Maritime)

Ronce-les-Bains is a long established resort with several beaches nearby, and an important centre for mussel farming

See Ronce-les-Bains guide
Royan

Royan (Charente-Maritime)

At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront

See Royan guide

Provence

Bandol

Bandol (Var)

The beach and the harbour, the bustling old town and the vineyards nearby all contribute to making Bandol a very popular destination

See Bandol guide
Bauduen

Bauduen (Var)

Bauduen is a pretty village with a beach on the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix in Provence

See Bauduen guide
Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes)

If you visit the resort and beaches of Cagnes-sur-Mer be sure to also explore the attractive old village of Haut-de-Cagnes on the hill behind

See Cagnes-sur-Mer guide
Cannes

Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes)

Cannes has a charming town and harbour area, and is one of the most visited resorts on the Riviera

See Cannes guide
Carry-le-Rouet

Carry-le-Rouet (Bouches-du-Rhone)

Slightly outside the main Riviera, the beaches and coastal paths of Carry-le-Rouet are very popular due to their proximity to Marseille

See Carry-le-Rouet guide
Cassis

Cassis (Bouches-du-Rhone)

The harbour area of Cassis, its beach and proximity to the Calanques de Marseille all help ensure the popularity of Cassis

See Cassis guide
Cavalaire-sur-Mer

Cavalaire-sur-Mer (Var)

The focus at family-friendly Cavalaire-sur-Mer is firmly on the beach and related activities

See Cavalaire-sur-Mer guide
Juan-les-Pins

Juan-les-Pins (Alpes-Maritimes)

A short distance west of Antibes, Juan-les-Pins is one of the liveliest resorts in the riviera

See Juan-les-Pins guide
La Croix-Valmer

La Croix-Valmer (Var)

It is the wide choice of beaches that attracts most visitors to La Croix-Valmer

See La Croix-Valmer guide
Le Lavandou

Le Lavandou (Var)

Le Lavandou is a quiet resort on the Cote d'Azur with several beaches close by

See Le Lavandou guide
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer

Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (Var)

The beaches such as Les Lecques, the forest and the pleasant town make Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer a popular summer resort

See Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer guide
Saint-Raphael

Saint-Raphael (Var)

The clean and popular resort of Saint-Raphael is one of our favourites along this section of the Riviera

See Saint-Raphael guide
Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez (Var)

As well as its very famous harbour, town centre and beach Saint-Tropez also has a charming medieval village centre to explore

See Saint-Tropez guide
Sainte-Maxime

Sainte-Maxime (Var)

Sainte-Maxime has a small town to explore, but it is as a popular family beach resort that it is better known

See Sainte-Maxime guide
Sanary-sur-Mer

Sanary-sur-Mer (Var)

The historic boats and the palm trees around the pretty harbour are the highlight in Sanary-sur-Mer, with various beaches close to hand

See Sanary-sur-Mer guide
Theoule-sur-Mer

Theoule-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes)

The resort at Theoule-sur-Mer is on the coast near Cannes, and is a cheaper alternative to staying at Cannes or Nice

See Theoule-sur-Mer guide

See more tourist attractions in France