17 Best Beaches in France For Surfing, Sailing, or Sunbathing
The first rule on finding the best beaches in France? Don’t assume they’re all on the Riviera.
The Côte d’Azur certainly does have some unforgettable beaches, but France is a big country—and there are a lot more sun-kissed regions to explore. Down in Basque Country, Biarritz draws in both celebrities and surfers with its impressive (but gentle) waves. Further north, Brittany’s uncrowded Emerald Coast offers an endless line-up of water sports and incredible coastal vistas. And then there are the islands, from Corsica to Porquerolles—all perfect for an unplugged retreat on the sand.
Here, we’ve rounded up 17 of the best beaches in France, stretching from coast to coast and covering a surprisingly diverse array of landscapes. We’ve also suggested the best hotel or vacation rental near each beach—and trust us when we say some of these properties make a very compelling case for booking a flight immediately.
Break out your Céline sandals and get ready to vacation like Europe’s elite.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Marius Roman/GettyPalombaggia Beach, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica
Located between France and Italy, the island of Corsica feels like it belongs in two nations at once. At Porto-Vecchio, on the southern coast facing Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea, visit Palombaggia Beach for bright, clear water; pink-tinted, rock-free sand; and gentle afternoon breezes.
Stay here: Run by the same family since the 1970s, Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa has the lively, everyone-knows-everyone vibe of a sprawling beachfront villa with white-stucco domed ceilings and its own lick of oceanfront real estate dotted with sunbeds and parasols.
Olena Didevska/GettyÉtretat, Normandy
Located along France’s Alabaster Coast, the pebble beach of Étretat is popular among sailors and surfers. But most visitors come to this stretch of coast in Upper Normandy for one reason: The famous chalk cliffs and arched rock formations. At various points along Étretat's 80-mile stretch, you’ll find natural sculptures that have inspired travelers and artists (most notably Claude Monet) for ages.
Stay here: There’s nothing bad about checking into an 18th-century Norman chateau—especially one with its own apiary and heated outdoor pool, like Château La Chenevière.
Anthony Salerno/UnsplashAntibes, French Riviera
About halfway between Cannes and Nice, Antibes is home to a peninsula that juts out into the sea, maximizing the amount of available warm, sandy, easy-to-walk-on beachfront. Nothing quite captures the essence of the Riviera quite like watching superyachts pass by your sunbathing spot.
Stay here: This one’s a no-brainer: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is not only the finest hotel in Antibes, but it also happens to be one of the most romantic, name-droppingly luxurious hotels in the entire world.
Thomas Faull/GettyPaloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula near Nice is a playground for European elites: There’s a Rothschild estate complete with sprawling gardens and a beach named for Paloma Picasso, daughter of the artist Pablo. Walk a steep staircase down to the rocky shore and be rewarded with wide, sweeping views of the sea.
Stay here: More like an opulent seaside palace, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel effortlessly combines old-school glamour with unpretentious, relaxed elegance.
221A/GettyPlage de la Côte des Basques, Biarritz
A renowned summer getaway for royals and celebrities alike (you might remember it from Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises), the “wild beaches” of Biarritz—located in Basque Country along the Bay of Biscay—are also hugely popular with surfers thanks to their mellow, safe-for-beginners waves.
Stay here: Everything about Hôtel du Palais Biarritz (a Gold List 2023 winner) is befitting of its ritzy address, from the frescoed ballroom to the beach air wafting directly into the guest rooms.
Pascal Fraboul/GettyPorquerolles Island, Hyères
Though a mere five miles off of the southern French coast, the Île de Porquerolles feels much farther away. The entire island is car-free, which gives all of its beaches a relaxed, casual feel—perfect for toting a picnic and riding a bike.
Stay here: Accessed by a rough, hilly road set in a forest and perched above two coves, Le Mas du Langoustier is one of the most beautiful places on an already beautiful island.
Adrien Brun/UnsplashBelle-Île-en-Mer, Brittany
Another favorite of Claude Monet, Belle-Île-en-Mer’s rugged coastline is more than worth the 30-minute ferry ride from Quiberon. After filling up on steamed moules and white wine in town, join the surfers at Plage Donnant, a beach lined with cliffs and dunes with tidal pools to explore at low tide. Hurry up and visit before the secret gets out.
Stay here: Make time to book plenty of hydrotherapy treatments at Castel Clara, a Relais & Chateaux property perched on a clifftop on the island’s southwest coast.
bluejayphoto/GettyBay of Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Easily one of the most iconic sites in France, the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel rises above the sand banks and tidal pools like a mirage. While the iconic Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel gets most of the attention, the surrounding Bay of Mont Saint-Michel is just as spectacular, with a variety of wildlife and the highest tides in Europe. For an unforgettable experience, book a guided walk across the bay, where you can cross those famous pools in your bare feet.
Stay here: The grand estate of Château d’Audrieu is surprisingly perfect for families, complete with a tree house, huge lawn, and swings.
MathieuRivrin/GettyCap Coz, Brittany
An essential stop on any Brittany road trip, Cap Coz has a string of small beaches that are never crowded. Start walking on the peninsula’s hiking path along the Breton Riviera, and you’ll easily see the entire rocky coastline, complete with sheltered bays great for afternoon swims.
Stay here: If you want to stay close to the cape, the Hôtel Belle Vue in Fouesnant is a sweet little mom-and-pop where the owners personally greet you when you arrive.
lucentius/GettyÎle de Ré, Bay of Biscay
Off the western coast of France in the Bay of Biscay, Île de Ré is known as the “White Island” by locals due to both its soft, light sand and the elegant waterfront houses painted in neutral colors. Walk along the long, flat stretches of beach, but keep an eye out for the now-abandoned German bunker from World War II.
Stay here: You can’t beat the port-side location of Hotel de Toiras—and the uniquely decorated rooms overlooking the garden certainly don’t hurt either.
Shannon Egan/UnsplashLes Calanques de Cassis, Provence
Calanques are long, thin inlets lined by natural rocks like limestone, and there are few more beautiful examples than the ones near Cassis—sitting pretty along the Mediterranean and offsetting the bright teal water. The views are worth it alone, but be aware that this stretch of sand is better known for its sightseeing than its swimming.
Stay here: Just a quick walk away from Cassis’s best beaches is this charming five-bedroom Airbnb, which affords 360-degree views of the Provençal commune.
Paul Francois Gapais/UnsplashDeauville Beach, Normandy
Deauville’s reputation was cemented by none other than Coco Chanel, who opened her first clothing store here in 1913. Her casual-chic, beach-inspired looks put both her—and the town’s lovely boardwalk lined with cute boutiques and ice cream vendors—on the map forever.
Stay here: Conveniently located between Deauville and Honfleur, Hôtel La Chaumière is a family-owned stunner with smartly decorated rooms and a glass-walled yoga studio.
RicoK69/GettyCôte de Granit Rose, Brittany
There’s no place in northwestern Brittany that’s quite as breathtaking as the Côte de Granit Rose (or the Pink Granite Coast), a coastline dotted with spectacular granite rock formations. The geology ranges from massive rose gold boulders to eroded pink sand, all contrasted beautifully against the gray foam of the sea.
Stay here: Located in the heart of the Côte de Granit Rose, L’Agapa Hôtel Spa is a stylish place to rest up—and maybe grab a massage or two—between beach visits.
Sofiane Zhi/UnsplashPort-Cros, Hyères
Surrounded by the first maritime national park in Europe, the island of Port-Cros is paradise for yacht owners, hippie sunbathers, and divers alike. Visit in September for the best weather and water conditions.
Stay here: Hôtel Le Manoir is an ideal spot to live out your ultimate Provençal fantasies—grilled lobster and crème brûlée included.
P. Eoche/GettyPalavas-les-Flots, Montpellier
On a narrow peninsula about four miles from Montpellier is Palavas-les-Flots, a beach so beloved by the French that there’s a song about it in the Oscar-nominated film The Triplets of Belleville. Palavas-les-Flots is an easy spot to rent a kayak, sign up for sailing lessons, or try your hand at kitesurfing.
Stay here: Hôtel Richer de Belleval (a Relais & Château) gave Montpellier a major luxury boost when it opened in 2021, boasting 15 dreamy rooms and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine.
Valentin B Kremer/UnsplashPampelonne Beach, St. Tropez
St. Tropez’s name is synonymous with elegance and glamour, but you don't have to put on a tux or evening gown to set foot there. Head for breezy Pampelonne Beach, which has everything from five-star resort accommodations to a secluded stretch where you’re welcome to swim in the nude.
Stay here: Cheval Blanc St-Tropez is an old-school charmer (those views!) that was recently transformed into a modern marvel by the sea.
GettyPrado Beaches, Marseille
If you prefer your beach holiday to also include a city break, head to Marseille (the second biggest city in France) and spend a day at the Prado Beaches, a group of three beaches that are easily accessible from the city center and great for families with kids. Keep an eye out for the replica of Michelangelo’s David, a popular selfie spot.
Stay here: Tuba Club numbers among France’s most talked-about openings of the past few years—try your luck at nabbing one of only five cozy, sea-facing rooms.
