I’ve Explored France’s Coast—These Are the Best Beach Towns in France

Antibes truly looks like a painting. Waves crash against the rampart walls as the mighty citadel gates invite you to explore the Old Town’s narrow streets. This French Riviera jewel is among France’s most beautiful beach towns for a reason. Graham Greene, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Pablo Picasso were all drawn to the gentle beauty of Antibes—and each spent time living here.

Be sure to visit the cliffside Château Grimaldi, now home to the Musée Picasso—where the legendary artist spent six months creating works that still hang on its walls. Stroll through the buzzing Marché Provençal for a taste of Provence’s freshest flavors. But truly, the best way to experience Antibes is by simply wandering its cobbled streets and soaking up the idyllic magic of the French Riviera.

Don’t Miss: For a swim, head to Plage de la Gravette, one of the most charming beaches in the South of France.

If you were to choose the most aesthetically pleasing beach town in France, Menton would come first. You can’t help but admire its urban layout, which seems designed for visual perfection. Ochre and pastel-colored old houses climb the hill, crowned by the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton. Behind it all, the peaks of the Southern Alps rise dramatically, leaving you in awe.

Located on the Italian border, Menton also boasts fantastic beaches. Perfect for families, the central Sablettes Beach features tiny pebbles, turquoise waters and shallow access. Just steps away are the long Fossan and Casino beaches. Menton is also one of Europe’s largest lemon-producing regions, so the zesty scent follows you as you explore.

Don’t Miss: The Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton, a magnificent terraced garden filled with exotic trees.

Everyone knows Côte d’Azur, but what about Côte Vermeille? Close to the Spanish border, this under-the-radar region in Pyrénées-Orientales has many beautiful beach towns. One of the best destinations is Collioure—a postcard-worthy coastal gem. The mighty grey rocks of Château Royal rise above the picturesque bay, where a pebbly beach and a romantic old lighthouse set the scene.

There are two things you should know about Collioure: the town is deeply proud of its Catalan heritage and was once a hub of the Fauvist movement. Artists like Matisse, Derain, Picasso and Braque met, lived and created here.

Don’t Miss: Visiting the restaurants and cafés lining the boardwalk, which add to the town’s charming atmosphere.

Surrounded by some of the French Riviera’s best beaches, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is an ideal seaside escape. This town is a quintessential jet-set destination with elegant Belle Epoque villas dotting the coastline, big yachts lining the large marina, a Monte Carlo-reminiscent Casino overlooking the sea and numerous high-end hotels attracting celebrity clientele. Come for the luxury charms, stay for the beaches. Petite Afrique is a breathtaking stretch with mountain views. Fourmis is an exemplary city beach with tiny pebbles and glitzy bars.

Don’t Miss: Beaulieu-sur-Mer is also a getaway to the Cap Ferrat peninsula with secluded coves, dramatic views and some of the most expensive properties on the continent (Monaco is behind the corner). Plage Paloma is a beach to check out for the most glamorous experience.

Calvi is Corsica’s most photogenic beach town. The massive citadel sits perched on a hill, lively terraces line the promenade below, and colorful houses frame the waterfront. It’s Corsica in a nutshell—charming, welcoming and breathtaking. Local legend says that Christopher Colombus was born here. Considering that Calvi was part of the Republic of Genoa at the time, this might be true. The main beach is the ultimate playground for kids as the waters are shallow and the sands are pleasant on the feet.

Don’t Miss: The town is also a gateway to the magical Haute-Corse coastline, home to beach gems like Plage de Sainte-Restitude and Plage de l’Arinella.

Overlooking the gorgeous bay, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a cinematic beach town steps away from Nice. It’s perfect for getting an early morning coffee on a seaside terrace at the promenade’s edge and listening to the seagulls sing. The 16th-century citadel watches from its hilltop perch as the tiny streets of the medieval Old Town lure you in with their old-school charm.

Don’t Miss: Fancy a dip? Scenic Plage des Marinieres is a perfect beach for that. The local panoramas might look familiar—Villefranche-sur-Mer appeared in Never Say Never Again with Sean Connery, Killers with Ashton Kutcher, and Ronin starring Robert De Niro. There’s also a surprising musical connection: the Rolling Stones recorded their 1972 album Exile on Main St. in the nearby Nellcôte mansion. Another highlight is Chapelle Saint-Pierre with Jean Cocteau’s drawings inside.

Check out Biarritz if you’re looking for the best surfing in Europe. This elegant resort town in the Bay of Biscay is where wave-conquering started on the continent. In the 50s, a film crew from California led by Peter Viertel came to shoot The Sun Also Rises here, brought the surfboards and found the local conditions perfect. Hemingway himself was a fan and enjoyed Biarritz’s salty air, Belle Epoque villas and Basque cuisine. The central La Grande Plage is among the most glorious sandy beaches in France while Miramar and Côte des Basques beaches are the ultimate surfing hangouts.

Don’t Miss: Visit the lively Halles de Biarritz fresh food market, play at Casino Barrière and admire the neo-Gothic architecture of Église Sainte-Eugénie de Biarritz.

Mostly catering to French beachgoers, Les Sables-d’Olonne is where you experience the beauty of the Atlantic coast. While it doesn’t have a picture-perfect Old Town, the La Grande Plage (or the “great beach”) is the main reason to visit. Spacious and long, it stretches for miles and offers fine golden sands. This makes Les Sables-d’Olonne a perfect beach break destination to sunbathe, swim, do water activities and stroll along the gorgeous promenade.

Don’t Miss: Head out of town to discover one of France’s most magical ocean attractions—the Sauveterre Dunes. This must-visit spot on the Vendée coast is a stunning beach and surfing destination, offering sweeping views and a secluded, untouched feel.

If your idea of a beach town involves a change of tides, moody weather and a dramatic coastline—Saint-Malo is a top pick. Located on Brittany’s Emerald Coast and washed by the waters of the English Channel, this place is nothing short of enchanting. Unlike the French Riviera’s colorful, pastel-hued coastal towns, the dominant colors here are grey, green and deep blue. You will be awe-inspired by the epic Old Town surrounded by the centuries-old ramparts. Time seems to stand still on the streets of Saint-Malo, where you’ll find that classic Breton charm.

Don’t Miss: Step inside the Cathédrale St-Vincent, a 12th-century Romanesque and Gothic masterpiece. In summer, head to Grande Plage du Sillon to swim and sunbathe while taking in stunning views of the walled historic center. If you’re with kids, take them to the Grand Aquarium with more than 600 marine species and an interactive “touch pool”.

It’s hard to resist the beauty of Cassis. This charming fishing town lures you in with whitewashed houses lining a picturesque harbor and lively terraces serving up local seafood delights. You’ll also find Bestouan Beach near the city center, one of the most scenic spots to swim on the Riviera. And have you ever wondered what it’s like to stay in one of those ancient citadels scattered across the South of France? In Cassis, you can do just that, spending the night in a renovated château perched above the Old Town.

Don’t Miss: What sets Cassis apart from other French Riviera towns is its proximity to the calanques—narrow limestone coves with turquoise waters that feel like secret slices of paradise. Some of the most stunning ones—Port-Miou, Port Pin and En-Vau—are just outside town.

Thanks to its unique location atop a tall white cliff, Bonifacio might just offer the most epic city view in all of France. This southern Corsican town is known for its grand citadel, which appears to be “sewn” into the rocky terrain. Beyond its gates lies a charming Old Town with cozy streets, beautiful churches and inviting cafés. Head downhill to the lively harbor, where restaurants serve up freshly caught seafood. The surrounding coastline, crisscrossed with dramatic calanques, offers a more intimate, secluded beach experience.

Don’t Miss: Plage de Fazziò—a hidden gem just outside Bonifacio with shallow, crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling and relaxed swimming.