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France, lovably often known as “l’hexagone” in French (sure, fairly actually, “the hexagon”, given its distinctive hexagonal form), is among the most visited international locations on this planet. It is a no-brainer as to why; the long-lasting museums, landmarks, and famous shopping streets of Paris, the French Riviera and its glitz and glam, the enchanting centuries-old castles, and the charming rural villages with their medieval church buildings and close by sprawling vineyards say all of it. Plus, even France’s hidden gems that no one appears to learn about, like the glistening bright blue lakes of Guizengeard, are sufficient to fill a French trip itinerary.


However there’s one treasure with which France is not usually synonymous: seashores. That is just a little unhappy — this hexagon-shaped, history-and-culture-rich nation boasts breathtaking seashores to rival these in additional far-flung tropical locations. Do not imagine it? Let this listing of essentially the most lovely seashores in France show that declare. From chilly Normandy to the medieval seaside cities within the Charente-Maritime to Corsican coastal charmers and beauteous bays that look straight out of a journey journal, these are the perfect seashores France has to supply its sun-loving, beach-bumming visitors.

10 Calanque En Vau, Marseille

The “Massif des Calanques” is a group of limestone coves nestled between towering cliffs and residential to a number of the prime seashores France has to supply its beach-going visitors. These fantasy-like coves prolong round 20 kilometers alongside the rugged shoreline from Cassis to Marseille — the latter an iconic dreamy weekend destination.

Among the many greatest spots for absorbing some solar in pure serenity is the remoted creek named Calanque d’En Vau — a small pebbled seashore with shimmering turquoise waters. This place really is unreal; it resembles a cliff-flanked tropical seashore on a secret island, like these in Palawan within the Philippines or the long-lasting Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. Kicking again, snapping some photographs, and having fun with this peaceable part are definitely worth the difficult hike down!

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9 Palombaggia, Corsica

With its pink granite cliffs, lush pine bushes, and crystal-clear blue waters, Corsica’s most well-known seashore might be mistaken for any of the best beaches in the Caribbean. This paradisaical place is Palombaggia — a small slice of coastal heaven simply 10 kilometers from the opulent city of Porto-Vecchio. On windy days, this seashore additionally attracts surfers who come to catch the epic waves that kind.

The remainder of Corsica itself is a well-liked trip vacation spot for French individuals in addition to worldwide vacationers; off the mainland however nonetheless a part of the nation, a lot of France’s residents head right here for his or her summer season getaway. Thus, some areas can turn out to be fairly busy in peak season.

8 Lacanau-Océan, Charente-Maritime

The area on France’s southwest coast within the division of Nouvelle-Aquitaine affords all of the solar and appeal of the nation’s extra upmarket, celebrity-frequented areas, comparable to the colourful Var and the luxurious Provence. Nonetheless, it comes at a fraction of the associated fee however no much less magnificence, as evidenced by the pine-covered Atlantic shoreline, scenic vineyards, medieval cities and villages, and even a number of the most famous castles in France, that are dotted concerning the characterful area.

Lower than an hour from the wine-fanatic metropolis of Bordeaux, Lacanau-Océan seashore is a 14-kilometer shore and one of the crucial lovely on this a part of France. It is one of many largest seashore resorts within the Aquitaine and even hosts many worldwide sporting occasions, such because the Lacanau Professional Browsing competitors. Though browsing is a significant draw, due to the standard waves breaking off the sands, different seashore and water sports activities have their place right here, too. With undulating grassy-peppered sand dunes and shading bushes, there’s loads of Zen house for sunbathers and spectators who do not fancy getting in on the wave motion.

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7 Saint Georges De Didonne, Charente-Maritime

Saint Georges de Didonne is a picture-postcard seaside city within the Charente-Maritime and has turn out to be a buzzing but not-too-crowded resort space for French holidaymakers and foreigners venturing from overseas. Only a stone’s throw from the city middle sq. with its eating places, bakeries, numerous shops, and historic twelfth-century neo-Gothic church that may be seen from afar is the wide-open, two-kilometer-long Saint Georges de Didonne seashore (also called The Grande Conche seashore). Laying between two limestone cliffs — the Vallières cliff to the north and the Suzac cliff to the south — this fabulous seaside stretch does not simply present an expanse for sunbathing, seashore sports activities, and delicate waves for swimming; it additionally boasts a number of schools for the entire household.

There is a seashore and watersports middle proper on the seashore, which affords sand yachting, crusing, stand-up paddleboarding, and jet skis for hire. Additional alongside, guests may discover a seashore membership, kids’s play space, swimming classes for teenagers, trampolines, and tent and umbrella leases. Plus, dotted all alongside the walkways overlooking the sands are carousels for the littlest beach-goers, mini-golf, ice cream stands, eating places, cafés, memento outlets, and snack stalls. Proper on the farthest finish of the seashore, there’s additionally a enjoyable impediment course within the bushes that is all the time common with youngsters. Nonetheless, notice that numerous services on and close by this seashore are closed within the low season; most, aside from a handful of cafés and eating places, are solely open in summer season from Could to October.

Take a motorcycle or a hike to the close by Suzac Forest, the place dramatic plunging cliffs and sensational sea views may be loved. Remember to take a look at exceptional sea views from the Vallières lighthouse, both. As well as, guests may uncover the stays of the Napoleonic fortress on the Suzac headland (recognized in French because the Pointe de Suzac).

6 Plage De Gatseau, Île D’Oléron

Île de Ré within the Charente-Maritime area (near the bustling metropolis of La Rochelle) is considerably extra well-known; nevertheless, heading over the scenic bridge to succeed in Île de Ré’s neighboring island, Île d’Oléron, exudes a quieter, extra serene really feel. Positive, Île d’Oléron may effectively be the second-largest island in France, however its dimension does not have an effect on its heavenly vibes; its prolonged kilometers of sandy seashores with undulating grassy dunes in opposition to a backdrop luscious pine forests really feel like a world away from the hectic (however attractive) streets of Bordeaux — simply a few hours away.

However the perfect a part of this little diamond within the sea is narrowed all the way down to just a little shell-dotted seashore named Plage de Gatseau. Situated close to Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, this is not simply the perfect seashore in southwest France; it wins a spot among the many greatest within the nation.

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5 Pampelonne, Saint-Tropez

Located within the world-famous sunny Saint-Tropez, the five-kilometer, white-sand-blue-sea Pampelonne seashore in Saint-Tropez (although, technically, it is in Ramatuelle) is a star-studded spot, the place seeing celebrities scrubbing sunscreen on their pores and skin by the shore is simply one other common day by day sight. A lot of the best tourist attractions in Saint-Tropez are ritzy sufficient to draw big-named stars; assume unique seashore golf equipment, high-end eating places, shiny white sand, and easy barefoot boho vibes.

Certainly, this seashore represents the whole lot the wealthy and well-known descend to Saint-Tropez for — a spot synonymous with Brigitte Bardot herself. Different A-list names beforehand noticed right here embody Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, and Bono, amongst others.

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4 Almanarre Seashore, Hyères

A family-friendly spot the place pink flamingos frolic and uncommon birds fly, the five-kilometer Almanarre seashore close to Marseille is among the prime seashores in France for all ages. As a windy part of shoreline, this attractive seashore can be implausible for kite-surfing, attracting water sports activities lovers in addition to households with kids who arrive to spend the day enjoyable and taking part in on the fantastic, powdery sands, rolling grassy seashore dunes, and heat shallow waters. A novel and photogenic issue of Almanrre is its scenic sandy isthmus — a skinny strip of land with sea on each side.

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3 Porquerolles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

A brief ten-minute ferry experience from the very elegant Hyères, Porquerolles is a exceptional island — one in all a cluster of three, actually. Many guests say this breathtaking island, also called the Île de Porquerolles, appears like an genuine image of French seaside city life again the way it was within the seventies.

Having been a protected space for nearly 5 a long time, this car-free island, the place even smoking is prohibited, presents pockets of good, pristine seashores. Amongst them, the perfect seashore in Porquerolles, with its indulgent comfortable sands and attractive blue seas, is Plage de Notre Dame — maybe the prettiest seashore in France as a complete.

2 Île Vierge, Bretagne

Granted, Brittany’s waters a a lot chillier than the inviting ones of the south of France. However its picturesque fishing ports, serene swimming spots, and majestic sea caves make up for the dearth of heat. Specifically, a lot of fairly seashores await near Morgat, which as soon as served because the area’s area’s sardine fishing port.

One such shoreline standing other than the remaining, with its pretty pebble seashore and clear waters, is île Vierge (“Virgin Island” in French). Sitting simply 1.5 kilometers off Brittany’s northwest coast and dealing with the stunning village of Lilia, this six-hectare islet was even voted the seventh most lovely seashore in Europe.

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1 Cabourg, Normandy

Akin to the land that point forgot, strolling alongside Cabourg’s enticing oceanfront promenade, named the “Marcel Proust Promenade” is like stepping again in time. Positive, this pedestrian-only walkway is the longest of its variety in Europe; it measures a prolonged 3.6 kilometers in whole, however that is not its solely level of notice. It overlooks magnificent gardens and postcard-pretty villas harking back to a classic film backdrop.

Situated mere meters above this well-groomed Normandy seashore, the promenade showcases a shocking viewpoint of the Côte de Nacre coast to the west, the Côte Fleurie coastal heights to the east, and Le Havre and the Côte d’Albâtre within the distance throughout the ocean on a transparent day.

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