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 (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
Anglet, close to Biarritz, has several kilometres of beaches on the French Atlantic coast
See Anglet guide
Arcachon (Gironde)
Arcachon is one of our favourite seaside resorts in France and has lots to explore. Recommended!
See Arcachon guide
Biarritz (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
The 19th century architecture and lovely beach and coast combine to make Biarritz a very popular destination
See Biarritz guide
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 (Landes)
Capbreton is a popular resort and beach that also has a traditional harbour and fish market
See Capbreton guide
Carcans (Gironde)
Although small, Carcans-Plage is one of our favourite beach resorts in the Medoc
See Carcans guide
Hendaye (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
Hendaye, the last resort in France before the Spanish border, also has a popular large sandy beach
See Hendaye guide
Hossegor (Landes)
Soorts is one of the smaller beach resorts along the extensive Atlantic coast in South-West France
See Hossegor guide
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 (Gironde)
The small resort of Le Verdon-sur-Mer is quiet but has long sandy beaches
See Le Verdon-sur-Mer guide
Mimizan (Landes)
The resort at Mimizan Plage is a popular destination with several kilometres of sandy beaches
See Mimizan guide
Moliets (Landes)
Moliets is one of the more recently established resorts on the Atlantic coast, very popular with families
See Moliets guide
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 (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 (Gironde)
Soulac-sur-Mer is a long established beach resort at the north of the Medoc peninsula
See Soulac-sur-Mer guideBrittany
Binic (Cotes-d'Armor)
Binic is a small seaside resort with an attractive harbour and several beaches
See Binic guide
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 (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 (Finistere)
Tourism based around the beaches and pleasure port have largely overtaken fishing as the principal industry at Douarnenez
See Douarnenez guide
Erquy (Cotes-d'Armor)
Erquy is a small resort near several sandy beaches and the viewpoint at Cap d'Erquy
See Erquy guide
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Saint-Lunaire is a small resort, established west of Dinard in the 19th century
See Saint-Lunaire guide
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 guideCorsica
Algajola (Haute-Corse)
Algajola is a small historic town with a long sandy beach near Calvi in north-west Corsica
See Algajola guide
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 (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 (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 (Corse-du-Sud)
Porticcio is a beach resort in Corsica to the south of Ajaccio
See Porticcio guide
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 (Corse-du-Sud)
Propriano is a beach resort and harbour town in south-west Corsica
See Propriano guide
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 guideGironde
Le Moulleau (Gironde)
Le Moulleau is a popular and attractive coastal and beach resort to the west of Arcachon
See Le Moulleau guideLanguedoc-Roussillon
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (Pyrenees-Orientales)
Activity in the seaside resort of Saint-Cyprien is most definitely centred around the beach and seafront!
See Saint Cyprien - Pyrenees Orientales guideNord-Pas-de-Calais
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 (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 guideNormandy
Cabourg (Calvados)
One time favourite of Marcel Proust, Cabourg has one of the longest and active beaches in the region
See Cabourg guide
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 (Manche)
Granville is best known for its long sandy beach, and the 19th century villas that follow the seafront
See Granville guide
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 (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 (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 (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 (Calvados)
Villers-sur-Mer is one of several friendly beach resorts along the Normandy coast
See Villers-sur-Mer guide
Villerville (Calvados)
Less popular than neighbours Deauville and Trouville, the resort at Villerville also has a long beach
See Villerville guide
Yport (Seine-Maritime)
A small sea resort, Yport has a pebble beach and is close to attractive coastal cliff scenery
See Yport guidePays de la Loire
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 guidePicardy
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 (Somme)
The long sandy beach is the main attraction in Le Crotoy, and the town is also very pleasant to explore
See Le Crotoy guidePoitou-Charentes
Chatelaillon-Plage (Charente-Maritime)
The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere
See Chatelaillon-Plage guide
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 (Charente-Maritime)
Visit the beach and port at La Tremblade, and explore the sand dunes
See La Tremblade guide
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 (Charente-Maritime)
At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront
See Royan guideProvence
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (Var)
It is the wide choice of beaches that attracts most visitors to La Croix-Valmer
See La Croix-Valmer guide
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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 guideSee more tourist attractions in France