Best France Beaches
The Best French Beaches...
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16. Bagheera Naturist Beach // Corsica
timeyres Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Set between the Mediterranean and the mountains, Corsica's east coast consists of mile upon mile of beach, often only backed by pine and cypress forest. The area around Linguizzetta is no exception with a long string of beaches only separated by name.
The sand here is quite coarse, but also near-white which contrasts with the clear blue of the Med. By local standards Bagheera beach is quite developed, well it has… read more »
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17. Pampelonne Beach // Cote d'Azur
© Daniel Kaesler Great for:- Swimming
In the playground for the rich and famous that is Saint Tropez, it is Pampelonne Beach that has been at the centre of this glamorous scene since the 1950s. This stretch of coast was made famous by Brigitte Bardot in when she appeared in a gingham bikini on Tahiti beach in the 1956 film "And God Created Woman". In the years that followed the dress code became even… read more »
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18. Île-Tudy // Finistère
Set just across the River Odet from the popular beach resort of Bénodet is this great crescent of white sand beach, backed by low dunes and lapped by clear blue ocean. Stretching nearly 5km from the upmarket yachty village of Sainte Marine to the sleepy seaside village of Île-Tudy this is well known as one of the best family friendly beaches in Brittany.
The ample sand here gently slopes into… read more »
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19. Plage de Pen Hat // Finistère
Great for:- Surfing
The beach of Pen Hat is one of the most exposed on the Crozon Peninsula. Facing directly into the full force of the Atlantic Ocean the rolling waves can be very impressive. Whilst this is often great news for the surfers it adds to the beaches already dangerous reputation for swimming. In fact bathing here is prohibited due to the presence of what are locally referred to as "baïnes" - these… read more »
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20. Plage de l'Écluse - Dinard // Ille-et-Vilaine
© chisloup / CC BY The seaside resort of Dinard still retains much of its belle-époque charm leading to it being referred to as the "pearl of the Emerald Coast" by some. Dotted with literally hundreds of elegant turn-of-the-century villas and a number of grand hotels the town makes a fantastic backdrop to some wonderful sandy beaches.
Of Dinard's four main beaches it is the Plage de l'Écluse that stands out. A broad crescent of gently sloping sand, this… read more »
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21. Plage du Môle - St Malo // Ille-et-Vilaine
Plage du Mole is the southernmost of St Malo's beaches. The name comes from the french word for breakwater (not the small furry animal) and the beach sits in the shelter of the Mole des Noires jetty which protects the entrance to the main harbour behind. There are good views across the bay towards Dinard less than 1 km away.
This small sandy beach is seperated from neighbouring Plage de Bon… read more »
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22. Plage d'Herlin // Morbihan
© Patrice78500 / CC BY The sandy cove of Plage d'Herlin lies on the south coast of the island of Belle Île. It was formed by the confluence of three river valleys and is now a beautiful beach protected from the wind by low cliffs to all sides.
Plage d'Herlin is a popular family beach and does get reasonably busy during the summer holidays. There is usually plenty of room though and the beach manages to retain some… read more »
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23. Plage de Kloukoury // Finistère
This secluded little beach is backed by the extensive sand dunes of Sainte Marguerite in Landéda. It sits towards the end of the Penn Enez headland and is almost always quiet.
Despite the lack of crowds this is a beautiful sandy crescent of sand backed by the gently sloping grassy dunes. There are views out over the numerous rocky islands that sit off the coast here. It is also a great spot to… read more »
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24. La Palue // Finistère
Jeanne Menjoulet Great for:- Surfing
Loved by those seeking out the wilder reaches of France's Atlantic coast, Plage de la Palue lies on the western side of Brittany's Crozon Peninsula, close to its southernmost point of Cape de la Chèvre. Its wide expanse of yellow sand provides a powerful contrast to the crisp blues of the Atlantic, and the low cliffs that book end either side of the beach and create an atmosphere of seclusion.
Facing… read more »
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25. Plage de Gwendrez // Finistère
© Havang(nl) Great for:- Surfing
One of the larger beaches on this stretch of the Brittany coastline, Plage de Gwendrez consists of a strip of fine pale sand descending gently into lagoon-like shallows.
Surrounded by an unspoilt landscape of gently rolling fields, access is via the attractive town of Plouhinec. Divided into a smaller northern and larger southern section by a low outcrop of rocks that are perfect for children to clamber over, this family-friendly beach… read more »
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26. Plage de Kermor // Finistère
© Chris Leather Facing south, the almost straight ribbon of sand that is Plage de Kermor stretches for more than three kilometres, although it takes on a name change to Plage de Teven towards its western end. Located roughly midway between Sainte Marine port in Combrit and the quaint village of Île Tudy, the beach provides the perfect blend of natural majesty and ease of access. Free parking is available at several… read more »
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27. Plage de la Torche // Finistère
Schorle Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
Situated on one of the most westerly headlands in mainland France, La Torche takes the full impact of the Atlantic weather. This wide, open crescent of fine sand is particularly windswept and has a truly wild feel to it with just sand dunes and fields beyond.
With all the wind and waves that batter the beach at La Torche it is perhaps unsurprising it is one of the premiere windsurf spots… read more »
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28. Kerminihy // Morbihan
chisloup Great for:- Fishing
Extending for around 2 kilometres along the central Brittany coast, the Plage Kerminihy is wonderfully undeveloped stretch of pale golden sand. To the rear there is nothing but dunes (access prohibited), and in front - the Atlantic Ocean.
Kerminihy is the only beach in the Erdeven commune where naturism is tolerated. Although not an official nudist beach naturists have happily coexisted with "textiles" for many years.
The northern end of the beach… read more »
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29. Plage du Ris // Finistère
Moreau.henri Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
Plage du Ris is the biggest beach in Douarnenez and when the tide is out a huge expanse of sand is revealed. The beach is just to the north of the town but the surrounds are quite rural in feel.
To the rear of the beach is a large grassy area with picnic tables. There are also a number of traditional beach huts that hark back to the golden age of… read more »
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30. Plage de Pors Péron // Finistère
Moreau.henri Great for:- Swimming
Almost hidden below rugged cliffs covered in verdant grasses and wildflowers, the light-coloured sands of Plage de Pors Péron are situated on a small inlet in the cliffs around Cap Sizun, the most westerly point of mainland France.
Facing north onto the Baie de Douarnenez, the beach receives some protection from the full force of the Atlantic Ocean, which results in generally flat conditions for paddling and swimming during the… read more »
