Best beaches in France

For your next summer vacation, you dream of a retreat with your feet in the water? France’s beach side includes the shores of the Mediterranean as well as the warm waters of the Caribbean. So, are you more of a turquoise lagoon or a wild beach? Embark on a journey to the most beautiful French beaches.

Calanque of En-Vau

Succession of creeks on a background of jagged massifs, the creeks of Marseille are among the most beautiful coastal landscapes of France. Halfway between Cassis and the Phocaean city, the En-Vau cove is a dream setting between limestone cliffs and turquoise sea. Of course, you have to sweat to reach this beach. One to two hours of walking await you, not counting a steep descent. So if you don’t have good shoes, go to the cove by boat.

Great Beach of Biarritz

Boaters have been meeting in Biarritz for nearly two hundred years. In the 19th century, it is to the Empress Eugenie that the Grande Plage owes its development. Visit the Belle Époque palace where she stayed several times before pitching your tent on the sand. If this beach is so popular in France, it is also due to its waves. The children have a great time, while the surfers come to tame the Atlantic rollers.

Pampelonne

The beach of Pampelonne extends over five kilometers of fine sand along the French Riviera. Close to Saint-Tropez, yachts rub shoulders with jet-skis. However, this mythical beach remains one of the jewels of the Mediterranean coastline. It is also possible to find some peace and quiet by taking the coastal path of Cap Taillat, below which are aligned intimate coves such as the beach of Escalet.

Beach of Palombaggia

South of Porto-Vecchio, Palombaggia is one of the stars of the island of Beauty. Palombadj’, as the locals say, is the most photogenic beach in Corsica. Of course, tourists have long been aware of this little gem that is no longer so secret. Despite the crowds, the beach is large enough to find some privacy. However, it is better to arrive early or late in the afternoon. Incidentally, early birds also get the benefit of free parking.

Étretat

The beauty of Étretat has been immortalized by the greatest painters, starting with the masters of impressionism. The white cliffs of Upstream and Downstream offer a privileged view of this natural wonder. The panorama can also be admired from one of the prettiest pebble beaches in France. If the waters of the Channel are sometimes too cool for swimming, you can enjoy the place by crossing the famous hollow needle of Arsène Lupin by kayak.

Beach of Keremma

On sunny days, the beach of Keremma is transformed into a turquoise expanse worthy of the most beautiful French beaches of the tropics. However, you are in Brittany. In the heart of Finistère, Keremma reveals a wild landscape of dunes and rocks. Its six kilometers are suitable for walking as well as for fishing, while guaranteeing you a swim far from any rush. You can also contemplate this rejuvenating panorama on horseback.

Anse des Salines

Grande Anse des Salines is a real postcard from Martinique. Lined with coconut palms, this long beach of golden sand is rocked by the Caribbean. The water temperature rarely drops below 27°C. The price of success, tourists and locals are numerous. Therefore, plan to arrive ideally before ten o’clock. Also take a mask and snorkel to swim with the multicolored fish of the reef. The Salines beach is also a popular spot for kite-surfing.

Anse Noire

In the southwest of Martinique, Anse Noire is the only black sand beach of the island. A staircase takes you down the rock face to this wild beach nestled between the cliffs, far from the hustle and bustle of the very touristy Anse Dufour. All you have to do is jump into the water from its large pontoon. While snorkeling, Anse Noire is also a nice aquatic paradise where you can almost certainly meet turtles.

Grande Anse

Pearl of Guadeloupe, Grande Anse is one of the top beaches of France overseas. Although frequented, this vast strip of pink sand allows you to isolate yourself without difficulty under the palm trees. The beach also attracts visitors for its green setting, on the edge of the tropical forest. The nearby mangrove can be discovered by kayak before diving into the translucent Caribbean waters. Beware, however, of the powerful currents that stir up the sea on this side of Basse-Terre.

Beach of Poe

Poe Beach faces a spectacular New Caledonian lagoon, so idyllic that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the mainland, seventeen kilometers of white sand compete in beauty. Then, go for a pedal boat or a paddle, unless you prefer the view from the air by seaplane or parachute. The clarity of the waters also encourages snorkeling, as Poe is home to protected species such as the dugong and rich coral reefs.