The 9 Most Stunning Beaches in France

France offers limitless sun-and-sand opportunities. In the northern regions, you’ll find white cliffs and charming seaside resorts along the English Channel, while the Mediterranean coast boasts ideal snorkeling conditions with its warm waters and rocky inlets.

Fierce North Atlantic storms shape the dramatic coastline of Brittany, where surfers catch impressive waves in the southwest. With so many spots to lay your towel, choosing can be overwhelming—don’t fret, though; here’s our selection of France’s finest beaches.

1. Palombaggia, Corsica

Top beach in Corsica for families, sun seekers, and newlyweds

Corsica stands out in the Mediterranean like no other place. Thanks to its fierce local spirit, robust environmental laws, and strict construction regulations, this rugged, mountainous island has avoided the excessive tourism that has marred many Mediterranean beaches. The result is an island where ancient coastal forests thrive, and tranquil footpaths lead to peaceful white sands.

The island offers a beach for every vibe, but none are as classically stunning as Palombaggia in the sun-soaked southeast. With its rose-hued granite boulders, vibrant blue waters, gnarled olive trees, and pristine white sands, it feels as if the French borrowed this beach from the Seychelles.

Planning tip: While generally untouched, Palombaggia is far from hidden, and finding space for your towel can be challenging in July and August. For a more tranquil experience, visit in June or early September and October.

2. Côte de Granit Rose, Brittany

Top beach in northwest France for families, sailors, and seal watchers

With a series of hidden coves and azure waters, framed by orange-pink granite boulders stacked like crushed strawberries, the Côte de Granit Rose is among France's most captivating coastal views.

This coastline is designed for beachside enjoyment. You can kayak or paddleboard to rocky formations, construct sandcastles with the kids on exposed sandbars at low tide, trek along a family-friendly coastal path, and indulge in shellfish in the charming harbor village of Ploumanac'h.

3. Les Calanques, Cassis

Top beach in Provence & the Côte d'Azur for families, hikers, and dreamers

Referring to Les Calanques as “beaches” may be a stretch. They are more like a collection of pebbles and sand nestled deep within a series of sharp crevices in the Mediterranean cliffs, caressed by crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Beginning at the western edge of Cassis, these picturesque coves are accessible only by boat or on foot, with trails winding through fragrant pine forests and down steep cliffside paths.

There are multiple coves, and visitors often spend hours trying to pick their favorite. Yet, they all share a charming lack of development, evoking the Mediterranean's natural beauty from a century ago.

4. Porquerolles Island, Hyères

Top beach in Provence & the Côte d'Azur for snorkelers, adventurers, and families

This is exactly what you envisioned when coming to the Mediterranean. The tranquil, car-free island of Porquerolles lies in crystal-clear waters just off the coast of Hyères.

As part of a designated marine conservation area, the island is adorned with Mediterranean woodlands and vineyards, making it perfect for walking and cycling. A series of beaches—including one that was named the best beach in Europe in 2015—provides an enticing destination for your explorations.

Planning tip: While the entire island is stunning (though quite crowded in July and August), we recommend venturing to the more secluded southern coast for a touch of tranquility.

5. Étretat, Normandy

Top beach in Normandy for families and walkers

You may know about the white cliffs of Dover, but on the other side of the English Channel lies Étretat, Dover’s French counterpart, and they are just as breathtaking.

The quaint town of Étretat is a charming, traditional seaside resort featuring a spacious promenade and a pebbled beach. Flanking the town and beach are striking white chalk cliffs topped with lush green fields, shaped over centuries by the waves into unique formations, including a remarkable white arch and a dramatic rock needle.

While the weather may not always be on your side, this is an excellent beach holiday spot for kids and perfect for long clifftop strolls followed by ice cream on the seafront.

6. Île d’Ouessant, Brittany

Top beach on France's west coast for cyclists, walkers, and those seeking inspiration

As you step off the ferry at Brittany’s Île d’Ouessant, you might feel as if you’ve arrived at the edge of the Earth. Historically, many believed this rugged, storm-battered island was the final frontier.

Adorned with heathland and bordered by a breathtaking coastline, this wind-swept island can present a stunning scene of white sandy beaches lapped by the clearest blue waters. But in an instant, a storm can roll in, casting a dark shadow over the island, reminding you why its reefs and shallows have claimed so many vessels throughout history.

Despite its intimidating demeanor, Île d’Ouessant is perfect for renting a bicycle and cycling along country lanes, passing sheep-filled fields to discover secluded coves. While Plage de Corz is a safe, beautiful beach, you may prefer not to swim in its often icy and tumultuous waters; instead, sit back and reflect on the waves crashing ashore and the seals frolicking in the surf.

7. Bassin d’Arcachon

Top beach in southern France for sailors, anglers, families, and food lovers

From the peak of Europe’s tallest sand dune, the 102m-high (335ft) Dune du Pilat, you truly appreciate the unique beauty of the Bassin d’Arcachon.

The Atlantic coast of southwestern France features an unending expanse of golden sands battered by fierce waves. In contrast, the Bassin d’Arcachon is a vast circular inlet of calm, brilliantly blue waters (often deceptively so—hidden currents lurk in some areas), dotted with small islands and shifting white-sand beaches accessible only by boat, all bordered by hazy yellow beaches backed by pine trees.

While nature's artistry is undeniable, humans have also made their mark. Charming wooden fishing cabins on stilts extend far into the waters of the bassin, and Arcachon town boasts a collection of art-deco houses. Nearby, Cap Ferret is regarded as one of the most sought-after beach towns in the southwest. With delicious oysters available throughout the region, it’s a haven for sailors, anglers, surfers, and sandcastle enthusiasts alike.

Planning tip: If you're traveling with young children and want to enjoy a swim, Plage d'Arcachon is an excellent choice. Nestled in a sheltered basin, it offers consistently flat and calm waters.

8. Plage de l’Amour, St-Tropez

Top beach on the French Riviera for the affluent and glamorous

A favored coastline for Hollywood celebrities, pop icons, royalty, and anyone with a super yacht—could there be a more glamorous stretch of shore than the Côte d'Azur's Gulf of St-Tropez?

You won’t find a quiet spot in the vibrant heart of the French Riviera, but that’s not the reason for your visit. Instead, put on your sunglasses, don your finest swimsuit, and check into one of the exclusive private beach clubs along the 5km-long (3-mile) Plage de Pampelonne for the quintessential Riviera experience.

Surprisingly, despite its fame, many areas of this iconic beach remain beautifully unspoiled, just as they were when Brigitte Bardot first brought international attention to the town—and herself—in the 1956 film Et Dieu Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman).

9. Grande Plage, Biarritz

Top beach in southwest France for surfers, 19th-century aristocrats, families, and food enthusiasts

Long before the French Riviera became the center of attention, Grande Plage, nestled in the beautiful coastal city of Biarritz in southwest France, was the favored beach for Europe’s elite and fashionable crowd.

Now home to one of France's most luxurious hotels, the Hôtel du Palais was originally constructed as a summer retreat for Empress Eugénie, Napoleon III’s wife, who would spend her summers enjoying the healing waters of Biarritz. Other European royals soon followed, with even a disapproving Queen Victoria becoming a frequent guest.

After World War II, attention shifted to the Mediterranean, but since the early 21st century, Biarritz has reclaimed its glamorous status, attracting a new generation of visitors who ride the waves. Today, it is celebrated as one of Europe’s premier surf destinations.

However, you don’t need to be a surfer or royalty to appreciate these golden sands. The charming summer weather, dramatic coastline, vibrant Basque culture, and stunning Atlantic views make Grande Plage and Biarritz a destination that captivates everyone.