The most beautiful beaches in France on one coast alone could fill several pages. Need some help narrowing down your choices? We’ve picked 10 of the loveliest French beaches from Brittany to the Côte d’Azur and they’re all ready for summer. Take a look.
Plage d’en Vau, Calanques National Park, Bouches-du-Rhône
Plage d’En-Vau, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
Calanques National Park runs along the coast between Cassis and Marseille. It’s a protected marine and land area and definitely has some of the most beautiful beaches in France.
The steep limestone cliffs of the Massif des Calanques are interrupted every so often with sandy coves known as calanques. The name translates as creeks, but you might prefer to think of them as perfect nooks for family beach days. One of the loveliest is Calanque d’En-Vau. Famous for clear turquoise waters and incredible scenery, it’s probably best for active families who won’t mind the challenging hike to get there. We promise, the beach is more than worth the effort.
Take a look at family hotels in Cassis, just half-an-hour’s drive from Plage d’En-Vau
Almanarre Beach, Hyères, South of France
Almanarre, Hyères
With a history that stretches back over 2,000 years, Hyères is the oldest resort in the French Riviera. It’s a picturesque town and a good base for several pretty French beaches. One of our favourites is Almanarre. Known for soft sand and warm shallow seas, kite surfers like it here, as do pink flamingos. So all in all, this is great one for families and kids of any age, including keen-to-paddle toddlers.
Find places to stay with kids close to beaches in Hyères
Île de Porquerolles, Hyères, South of France
Île de Porquerolles, Hyères
You should explore the beaches near chic Hyères, then take the short ferry ride to Île de Porquerolles, where a car and smoke-free island which will transport you back in time.
It’s a designated protected area so you can look forward to unspoiled white sands, woods, vineyards and next to no development. The island makes an easy day trip and there are plenty of beaches to try. We particularly like pretty Plage Notre Dame where you can watch the yachts and boats bobbing about on the Med.
Discover family hotels in Carqueiranne for days out on Île de Porquerolles
Plage de Palombaggia, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica
Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica, France
Sitting between France and Italy, the island of Corsica is an incredibly popular holiday destination. Active families like its mix of great hiking and outdoors activities and the beaches are wonderful.
Head for lively Porto Vecchio. This charming port town has a strong Italian influence, yet is often dubbed the Corsican St Tropez. It also makes the perfect base to visit idyllic Plage de Palombaggia, which is egularly named one of the world’s top 10 beaches for its azure waters and pine-backed sands which seem to stretch on forever.
Take a look at family resorts and gîtes in Porto Vecchio for summer
Plage Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
Plage Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Less than 30 minutes’ drive from Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is one of the world’s most exclusive enclaves. Known for sprawling mansions, luxury resorts and glamorous residents it’s set on a peninsula which juts out into the Mediterranean, so naturally, it has incredible beaches.
One of the best is Plage Paloma, named for Paloma Picasso who visited here regularly with her artist father. Follow in her footsteps and you’ll find her namesake beach is great for swimming as well as water sports like kayaking and paddle-boarding.
