It’s easy to see why France is included in everyone’s list of must-visit countries. It truly has something for everyone. There are a plethora of historical sites and architectural wonders, a ton of cultural attractions, outdoor destinations, and a grand culinary scene going back hundreds of years. You can go back to France time and time again to explore each of the country’s facets for a real in-depth look of everything it has to offer, and you will, for sure, always find something different. This time, we’re going to France in search of a good getaway, preferably by the sea. From all-time favorites like Nice and Saint-Tropez to lesser-known gems like Porquerolles and Biarritz, we’re taking a look at the best beach holidays in France.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on November 21, 2024.
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1. Menton (from USD 122)
Great breakfast with a lovely view of the beach, good coffee, and a small restaurant and bar
Reasonably priced with good value for money
Conveniently situated near the center of Menton, close to shops, public transport, and tourist attractions
Clean and well-dressed rooms, friendly and helpful staff, beachfront location
Located in the sunny French Riviera, Menton is a colorful dream come true. There’s a whole spectrum of colors on display thanks to the multi-hued buildings scattered around the city. Despite its reputation as an upscale resort town, Menton is actually a very accessible destination with a wide range of options when it comes to accommodations and dining. Best of all, there is a string of beaches to explore. Plage des Sablettes is where most people go to sunbathe and swim, but you should also check out other spots like Plage du Borrigo, Plage de Fossan, and Plage du Casino. You can hit one beach every day you spend in Menton, then come back to your favorite.
Hôtel Le Dauphin
Address: 28 avenue du Général de Gaulle
179.23 km (111.4 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
2. Île de Porquerolles (from USD 136)
Île de Porquerolles is one of France’s most charming islands, located at the southernmost tip of the world-famous Côte d’Azur. It’s part secret garden, part beach paradise, with its Provencal landscape and its white-sand beaches. Sailboats and yachts are always not too far from the shore. As you lay on the beach to read a book or get a tan, you can smell wafts of eucalyptus and other wild herbs tinging the air. Find a limestone cliff not far from where you’re hanging out and dare to go cliff-diving. When the adrenaline rushes off, find a quiet spot under the shade of a pine or oak tree and doze off for a quick afternoon nap. Then, end the day relaxing at an equally beautiful resort, such as Ibis Thalassa Hyeres Plage. Île de Porquerolles is the perfect destination if you’re after a relaxed and laid back beach holiday.
ibis Thalassa Hyeres Plage
Address: Allée de la Mer - La Capte
67.82 km (42.2 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
3. Biarritz
A stunning transformation has taken place in Biarritz. This once favorite holiday destination for European nobility has become one of the continent’s preeminent surfing spots. As such, you can find a fine balance in Biarritz when it comes to old-world charms and the younger, hipper surf culture. You’ll find the streets lined with local restaurants, surf shops, and residences designated on the heritage list. Now for the beaches–there are several in Biarritz. Plage du Port Vieux is a horseshoe-shaped cove that’s a little more secluded than the others. La Grande Plage is the main surfer hub and hangout, complete with bars and cafes. Meanwhile, Plage d'Ilbaritz’s golden sand and stunning rock formations make it one of the most romantic spots in Biarritz. Sunsets here are beautiful, so we suggest staying at a waterfront resort like Hotel du Palais Biarritz.
Hotel du Palais Biarritz - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Address: 1, Avenue de l'Impératrice
560.11 km (348.1 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
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4. Île de Ré (from USD 265)
Off France’s west coast is the gorgeous island of Île de Ré, which is famous for a number of things. First, there’s Plage de la Conche des Baleines, a wide sandy beach well-known for its sand dunes and the lighthouse that towers over the landscape. Second, there’s St-Martin-de-Ré, the biggest town in the island where you can find Hôtel Atalante Relais Thalasso et Spa and the Vauban fort, which dates back to the 17th century. Third, it’s a bike-friendly island, with an extensive network of bike paths criss-crossing around the vicinity. Fourth, you can also go surfing at Plage de Gros Joncs when the conditions are right. In a way, Île de Ré is slightly reminiscent of the Hamptons in the United States.
Atalante Relais Thalasso & Spa - Wellness Hôtel
Address: Rue Port Notre Dame
615.2 km (382.3 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
5. Antibes (from USD 318)
Tucked between Cannes and Nice in the French Riviera, Antibes is often overlooked by most tourists in favor of her more glamorous sisters. That said, Antibes is no less chic or beautiful than her neighbors. While all the crowds are over at Nice or Cannes, you can enjoy quieter streets and beaches, like Plage de la Garoupe, Plage de la Gravette, and Plage de la Gallice. The accommodations are also up to par–Hôtel Belles Rives is one of the best hotels in the riviera. Don’t forget to check out Antibes’ attractions further inland, such as the heavily forested Cap d'Antibes, Fort Carré and its battlements, and Musée Picasso for some fine art. From Antibes, you can easily hop over to Juan-les-Pins and explore the local nightlife.
Hôtel Belles Rives
Address: 33 Boulevard Edouard Baudoin
144.29 km (89.7 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
6. Nice (from USD 163)
Superb breakfast with sea view, but limited vegetarian options and extra charges for certain items
Reasonable pricing for sea view rooms, but extra charges for spa and sunbeds
Superb beachfront location with easy access to restaurants and shops, but some noise from promenade
Well-maintained historic building with spacious rooms, but limited electrical outlets and outdated facilities
No trip to the French Riviera would be complete without spending a weekend in Nice. It’s an overused statement, but the rumors are true. Everything here, from the beaches to the architecture and the attractions, is nice. It’s great, actually! The main half-moon cove in the city is called Nice Beach, where you can kick back on one of the lounges for rent and enjoy the sunset. Promenade des Anglais is another wide stretch of beach where you can relax and go for a swim. And while you’re here, don’t miss the cultural attractions including Musée Matisse, Colline du Chateau, Lascaris Palace, and Parc Phoenix. Hotel and resort options are abundant, from icons like Hotel Negresco to more contemporary accommodations like Hotel Westminster.
Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice
Address: 27 Promenade Des Anglais
159.12 km (98.9 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
7. Marseilles (from USD 238)
Delicious restaurant offerings, but limited food options and high breakfast prices.
High prices for food and drinks, but spacious rooms and stunning sea views.
Perfectly situated by the Mediterranean Sea, with easy access to beaches and national park.
Modern design, saltwater pool, and convenient bus stop for city access.
When it comes to beach holidays in France, one can’t forget Marseilles, the gateway of Provence and also the oldest city in the country. It’s the queen of the south, with its history, culture, sites, and of course, beaches. Your itinerary will be packed when you spend your vacation in Marseilles. You don’t need to visit everything, but make sure to include all the essentials–Plage du Prado, Calanque de Port Pin, Plage des Catalans, Château d'If, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and of course, the Old Port. The accommodation types are splendid, as well. You can choose to stay at a homey Airbnb or treat yourself to a nice hotel such as Pullman Marseilles Palm Beach.
nhow Marseille
Address: 200 Corniche J.F. Kennedy
1.71 km (1.1 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
8. Corsica
Delicious pizza, nice restaurant on the beach at an affordable price, but limited options for people with dietary restrictions. Good and not too expensive beer at the bar.
Fantastic value for money, especially off-season. Optional bed linens and towels available.
Close to the beach, surrounded by greenery, and within 1-1.5 hours to major towns like Bastia and Porto Vecchio. Supermarkets and restaurants nearby.
Modern, clean studio with excellent facilities, free parking, air conditioning, and well-maintained villas. Large balcony with sea views.
Corsica is so breathtaking, we can only wonder why Napoleon Bonaparte left the island in pursuit of an empire. Because right now, it seems like everything we need is right here–beautiful beaches, a melange of French and Italian cultures (which results in an amazing local cuisine), and spectacular sites. You can go on a road trip to check out the beaches (such as Palombaggia and Calvi Beach), but don’t stop there. For the ultimate Corsica experience, check out Cap Corse, go snorkeling or sailing in the Lavezzi archipelago, stroll the streets of Ajaccio, visit the Scandola Nature Reserve, and stay at a cozy accommodation like Vignale Resort. If we could stay in Corsica forever, we would.
Vignale Resort
Address: Plage deVignale
363.14 km (225.7 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
9. Cannes (from USD 619)
Glitzy and chic, all eyes are on Cannes once a year for the highly anticipated and prestigious Cannes Film Festival. But if you’re not much of a film aficionado, what is there for you to do here? Why, go beach hopping, of course! Cannes is part of the French Riviera, and that means the perfect climate and a selection of beaches and world-class resorts to check out. This is the place to live it up! Many of the hotels in Cannes have their own private beaches, so if you’re into that exclusivity, consider staying at InterContinental Carlton Cannes. Don’t forget to explore the city attractions, such as Musée de la Castre and Le Suquet, Cannes’ oldest neighborhood.
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Address: 58, Boulevard de la Croisette, CS 40052
136.97 km (85.2 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
10. Saint-Tropez (from USD 420)
Delicious breakfast and dinner options, with cozy and elegant dining ambiance.
Luxury pricing with exceptional value for the location and service.
Perfectly situated in the heart of St. Tropez, steps from the beach and vibrant attractions.
Elegant rooms, attentive staff, and a charming dining experience.
The poster child of the French Riviera, Saint-Tropez remains one of the destinations for the stylish and the jet-set. It’s a rather glamorous beach destination, famed for its nightlife, shoreline, and the endless string of celebrities it attracts all year round. Saint-Tropez is the very definition of an Instagram-worthy spot, especially when you stay at a nice hotel like Hotel de la Ponche. Beaches here include Pampelonne, a long stretch of beach where you can also find upscale restaurants. Plages de Saint-Tropez is picture-perfect with its colorful umbrellas and calm waters. Plage d'Escalet is sheltered by rocky outcrops. If you’re comfortable in your skin and feeling a bit daring, you should also check out Saint-Tropez’s naturalist colonies like Plage de Tahiti.
Hotel la Ponche
Address: 5 rue des Remparts
102.8 km (63.9 mi) from Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
Don't forget to wear sunscreen
When you’re vacationing in such beautiful places, it would be remiss to spend most of your time indoors. Slather on some reef-friendly sunscreen, pack all of your favorite swimwear, and don’t forget to bring a pair of sunglasses for your beach holiday in France. As always, you’re invited to browse the website to discover more of France through our travel guides. À bientôt!
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