Part of our France guide.
France’s beaches range from Brittany’s quiet island coves to the Mediterranean’s clear-water calanques. This page gathers four of our coastal guides, each with specific places to swim, hike, and explore.
Related travel guides: Things To Do In France, Travel Guide In France, Beaches In Caribbean, Beaches In Greece, and Beaches In Philippines.
The Île-d'Arz Travel Guide - An Island In Brittany
Île-d'Arz sits in the Golfe du Morbihan, a bay in southern Brittany reachable by a short boat ride from Vannes. The island is car-free, so you’ll walk or cycle along winding paths to hidden coves and sandy stretches. Pack a picnic and a swimsuit—there are no resort facilities, just quiet beaches, stone houses, and tidal flats that double as birdwatching spots. The main village has a handful of cafés and a small ferry pier, and you can circle much of the coast in a day. For a longer stay, look for guesthouses near the port; the island’s charm is its calm, so don’t expect nightlife.
Toulon In France: Beaches In Southern France
Toulon sits on the French Mediterranean coast, ringed by hills and a large harbor. From the city center, you can reach several beaches within a short drive or bus ride. The closest sandy stretch is Plage du Mourillon, a family-friendly curve with a promenade and shallow water. For a wilder setting, take a boat from Toulon’s port to the Calanques—narrow inlets with turquoise water and limestone cliffs—where you can swim, snorkel, or hike along marked trails. The beaches around Toulon are a mix of sand and pebbles, and the water is generally calm by late morning. Many beaches have seasonal lifeguards and limited shade, so bring an umbrella.
Hidden Gems: France's Most Enchanting Coastal Towns And Cities
France’s coastline is dotted with towns that don’t always make the postcards. On the Atlantic side, St-Jean-de-Luz is a working fishing port with a wide sandy bay and a Basque old town—good for a day trip from Biarritz. Further south, Bandol is a wine village with a marina and pebbly coves just west of Toulon; the local vineyards offer tastings, and the offshore island of Île des Embiez is a short ferry ride away. In Brittany, the walled port of Saint-Malo has ramparts you can walk, and from there you can book a boat to Mont Saint Michel—a popular day trip that often includes a tidal causeway crossing. For a quieter stop, look for the hidden gems in France near Montpellier, where lagoons and sandbars meet the Languedoc coast.
The Stunning Porquerolles Island In France
Porquerolles is the largest of the Îles d’Hyères, a short ferry ride from Hyères. The island bans cars, so you’ll rent a bike or walk on sandy tracks between vineyards, pine groves, and old forts. The north coast has the best beaches—Plage d’Argent and Plage de la Courtade are wide, shallow, and backed by eucalyptus trees. The south coast is rockier, with a coastal path that leads to secluded inlets for swimming. Bring water and snacks, as the only village has a few restaurants and a small grocery. If you want to stay overnight, book ahead at one of the island’s two hotels or the youth hostel. The ferry runs year-round, but in summer, buy tickets in advance and arrive early.
