Do you want to enjoy the sun and go swimming, or are you looking for a surf spot? Between the calm, warm turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and the waves of the Atlantic, France is full of magnificent beaches.
We offer you a selection of 5 of the most beautiful beaches in France for your 2024 vacation. What if for your accommodation not far from the beach, whether for a weekend or a vacation, you chose a home exchange ? It is indeed the ideal solution for going to the sea, as a couple, with family or with friends.
1 – Palombaggia beach: one of the most beautiful in Corsica
Palombaggia beach is one of the most beautiful in Corsica , it is located in the south, just 12 km from Porto-Vecchio . The Lieu-dit de Palombaggia, classified as a nature reserve, actually brings together six beaches, each more magnificent than the last. This site is a true haven of peace with its stretches of fine sand, its turquoise waters, its large rocks and its large maritime pines. Its waters are shallow, which is ideal for children. You will find straw huts, private spaces, a public space, as well as places to rent equipment for practicing water sports.
This is the ideal place if you are looking for a dream location for your holidays. And if you are just passing through South Corsica, do not miss a detour to admire the magnificent panorama that you have from the beach on the 5 Cerbicale islands, offshore.
2 – Wissant beach: the most family-friendly
On the English Channel, Wissant Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Opal Coast with its vast expanses of fine sand and coastal landscapes. It is bordered by its breathtaking view of two capes: Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez. The beach is ideal for families, the water is shallow and children can jump in safely. But Wissant Beach is especially famous for sand yachting, possible at low tide over 12 km!
From the beach, you can also go for beautiful walks , summer and winter, for example by joining the two capes through the dunes, and reaching the cliffs to admire incredible landscapes: the relief, the waves crashing on the rocks, as well as the traditional fishing boats called flobarts. You can also observe many species of birds, as well as seals.
3 – Notre Dame beach on Porquerolles Island: the quietest
Notre-Dame Beach, located in the north of the island of Porquerolles in Hyères in the Var, is a real gem, it has also been voted the most beautiful beach in Europe! It is one of the largest beaches on the island and yet it is not very busy because this extraordinary site is worth it! It is in fact quite far from the village and it will take you about 45 minutes on foot or 25 minutes by bike to reach it.
Its 800 meters of white sand invite you to relax and tranquility , as do its turquoise and crystal clear waters, its umbrella pines and oaks that line the beach, allowing you to find shade. It is absolutely heavenly to bathe in the heart of this breathtaking landscape, and if you like snorkeling, you can admire a large number of species of fish through transparent waters.
4 – The beach of Île Vierge de Crozon: the most preserved
Located south of the Crozon peninsula in Finistère, the Île Vierge beach can be discovered at low tide. It is a small pebble cove that looks like a Mediterranean cove with its translucent turquoise waters and maritime pines. But be careful, we are in Brittany : its waters are cool, swimming is to be tried… with courage! This wild beach with its unique setting is very preserved by the inhabitants of the peninsula.
It is not very frequented by tourists because its access is particularly difficult and sometimes even forbidden, because of the risk of landslides. To get to the beach of the Île Vierge, you will have to take the GR34 coastal path from Morgat: the duration of the hike is approximately 1h30 for the outward journey and the same for the return journey! This path is very busy in high season, we advise you to hike rather in the morning, you will meet fewer people. This beach is worth it!
5 – The dunes beach at Cap Ferret: the surfers’ favorite
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and just a few km from Bordeaux, the west of the Cap Ferret peninsula is the kingdom of those who love big waves. The beach of the dunes is the mythical spot of surfers , but is reserved only for the initiated. However, you can absolutely adopt this vast beach if you want to be in peace to sunbathe, but it is not supervised and swimming there is dangerous. It offers a wild setting with beautiful dunes, and there are still blockhouses from the Second World War!
Access to the beach of the dunes is not easy: the path is not developed, there is no duckboarding. It will take you about 15 minutes of walking in the fine sand to reach the beach, but the path is magnificent and you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Cap Ferret lighthouse in the middle of the pine forest, and of the Dune of Pilat .
