20 best French resorts by the sea

Today, one of the most popular tourist destinations are French resorts on the sea. These are the famous corners of the azure Mediterranean and the picturesque Atlantic coast. The resort towns fascinate their guests with wonderful natural landscapes, amazing beaches and a wealth of cultural historical heritage. A variety of entertainment options complete the image of the ideal country for a beachfront, contemplative and exciting seaside holiday.

Nice

The Mediterranean city of Nice is the most popular destination on the French Riviera. The wonderful climate and developed infrastructure, magnificent beaches and gentle turquoise sea, historical and modern architectural ensembles, a wide variety of shady parks and picturesque gardens - all this attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The resort is surrounded by a string of wooded hills that abut against low mountain ranges.

The emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea, evergreen shrubs, palm alleys and citrus trees create an impressive palette of colors. Both municipal and private pebble beaches are at the disposal of tourists. Comfortable conditions with sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms and showers are offered only by paid coastal strips. Holidays in Nice will delight even the most discerning travelers. There are fashionable hotel complexes, restaurants, theaters and museums here.

Luxurious palaces with lush elegant facades and a loud historical past leave vivid impressions. The old quarter of closely nestled houses under a red roof, with cozy cafes and shops testify to the rich centuries-old history of the city. The central Place Masséna, paved with light and dark stone slabs, is replete with architectural monuments, fountains and sculptures. It will be a great pleasure to walk along the comfortable Promenade des Anglais, where recreation areas are arranged, benches are installed and elite houses are lined up, silently demonstrating the aristocracy of Nice.

Cannes

A stunning atmosphere of wealth and natural splendor reigns supreme in the amazing French resort of Cannes. It is the world famous cinematic capital, where a grandiose film festival is held annually with the participation of famous actors and directors. The city is located on the shores of the Napula Bay, washed by the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Esterel mountain range and a chain of picturesque green hills give the landscape a special charm.

Thousands of tourists flock to Cannes to enjoy relaxing on perfectly clean beaches and contemplating the facades of pompous palace complexes. The resort is famous for its magnificent Croisette with spreading palms, cypresses and lush greenery of various plantings. A long snow-white sandy strip and a harbor for multi-deck yachts stretches along it. On the opposite side of the main boulevard are luxury villas, hotels, boutiques, casinos and restaurants.

Cannes is characterized by an alternation of paid and municipal beaches. The only difference between the free zones is the absence of sun loungers and sun umbrellas. It is impossible to pass by the Palace of Festivals and Congresses, where famous competition events in the field of film, music and television take place. Here you can see the Avenue of Stars with handprints of legendary actors.

Saint Tropez

The picturesque and cozy town of Saint-Tropez has turned from a former fishing village into a popular pearl of the French Riviera. The iconic small resort has gained fame and worldwide recognition thanks to the considerable number of famous French films of the 20th century filmed here. Its streets remember wonderful gendarmes led by Louis de Funes, charming blonde Brigitte Bardot, funny Pierre Richard and many other brilliant film actors.

Pastel shades of old low-rise buildings adorn the long, narrow, well-groomed embankment, along which numerous tourists take walks. The emerald bay harbor is filled with luxury white yachts, light sailboats and ordinary boats. The city has an atmosphere of a special Provencal flavor, where amazing sandy beaches, pine forests and secluded corners coexist with noisy discos and entertainment venues.

Chapels, monasteries, galleries, museums, villas, as well as ancient defensive structures are of historical value. The main attraction for tourists is the five-kilometer sandy coastline of Pampelonne, dotted with cafes and bars. The beach is divided into sections, each of which offers all kinds of options for an exciting, active or relaxing holiday.

Deauville

On the shores of the English Channel in Normandy is the bohemian resort of Deauville, which is in no way inferior in its popularity to the southern azure coast of France. With neat neighborhoods, vibrant flower beds, perfectly trimmed trees and wide sandy beaches, this charming place is surrounded by an aura of tranquility and respectability. Attention is drawn to the architectural appearance of the city.

Half-timbered houses with characteristic sloping roofs and ornate facades give the resort a fabulous and festive setting. One of these buildings houses the city hall and the police station. Deauville offers its guests a wide range of hotel and entertainment services. At the disposal of vacationers there is a golf club, a casino, a hippodrome, a thalassotherapy center, as well as many restaurants, bars, brand boutiques, art galleries and antique shops.

An excellent sandy shore, blown by the ocean breeze and covered with multi-colored umbrellas, stretches for several kilometers in a vast strip. A wooden deck stretches along the beach for a comfortable walk. The changing rooms are historic beach houses with carved partitions adorned with the names of American movie stars.

Collioure

On the coast of the sea coast of the southern part of France, the picturesque old town of Collioure with a rich architectural heritage is comfortably settled. It is located a few kilometers from the Spanish border. This is a unique provincial corner of peace and quiet. The local rocky landscapes, green hills, distinctive neighborhoods with ancient buildings are sung in their works by talented European artists, poets and writers.

The visiting card of the city is the Church of Notre Dame de Angues, erected on the edge of the cape in the 17th century. Its round tower served as a lighthouse for a long time. The medieval Royal Castle, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, amazes with its severity and power. Curious tourists can walk along winding narrow cobbled streets where houses with colorful colorful facades stand.Several sandy and small-pebble beaches allow vacationers to enjoy swimming in the crystal clear sea bays.

Biarritz

Biarritz is one of the most picturesque and prestigious resorts on the Atlantic coast. Enchanting rocky landscapes, endless sandy beaches, powerful energy of the ocean waters, historical sights make the resort a worthy place for a pleasant stay. The mild climate and clean ocean air, containing iodine vapors, restores and increases the vitality of a person.

Biarritz welcomes its guests like a king, offering them a rich cultural and entertainment program. Festivals, fashion shows, museums, galleries, boutiques, trading houses, gambling establishments, golf clubs, equestrian sports and many other resort pleasures provide tourists with the luxury of service that surrounds them. The clean wide sandy beaches have an excellent infrastructure that allows you to enjoy a comfortable stay.

All kinds of water activities are available to guests: riding on catamarans and boats, surfing and diving, parachuting over the endless expanse of the ocean. Biarritz's numerous architectural masterpieces create an unforgettable experience. While walking, you can see exquisite villas, delicate chapels, modern hotel complexes, as well as a majestic Gothic cathedral and a beautiful Orthodox church.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

The wonderful hospitable Mediterranean resort of Villefranche-sur-Mer, located five kilometers from Nice, comfortably settled on the slopes of green hills. Boats, yachts and majestic cruise ships moor in orderly rows in a deep-sea bay shaped like a huge bowl. The small town attracts tourists with its cozy atmosphere. The narrow narrow streets, rising sharply and hiding behind the slopes, are built up with low-rise buildings with colorful facades, old chapels, cafes and restaurants.

The buildings pressed against each other form a solid wall repeating the outlines of the mountainous relief. Luxurious villas built on cliffs and surrounded by lush vegetation open up to the eye. The sandy beach stretches along the bay for 800 meters. The coast is framed by picturesque headlands. The azure waters of the sea bay caress the rugged ledges of the walls of the fort, built in the 16th century.

Cabourg

The elegant resort of Cabourg is ideal for a relaxed family holiday. This quiet and peaceful area belongs to the Lower Normandy region. Neat well-kept neighborhoods abound with half-timbered houses. Garden and park vegetation is presented in the form of alley plantings, flower beds and perfectly green lawns.

The main decoration of the small town is the magnificent coast of the English Channel, which is characterized by strong ebb and flow. Rest on sandy beaches, equipped with resort infrastructure, can be combined with walks along the picturesque long promenade. Numerous spas are popular. For lovers of active pastime, there is a golf center, a yacht club, a hippodrome and sports grounds.

La Baule

A delightful corner of La Baule stretches along the stunning coastline of the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. This place deservedly belongs to the cohort of prestigious resorts in France and the Old World. A strip of many kilometers of golden sandy coast is located in a bay that looks like a huge crescent.

The widest opportunities for an exciting vacation await tourists. This is favored by fashionable hotel complexes and luxurious villas, gourmet restaurants and gambling establishments, a variety of sports clubs and sailing schools. The beauty of garden landscape art opens up stunning parklands. The streets of the city are planted with pine, poplar and alder trees. Half-timbered buildings amaze the eye with their bizarre architectural elements.

The resort has earned worldwide recognition for its modern centers specializing in the provision of health and beauty thalassotherapy treatments. A wide nine-kilometer comfortable beach stretches along the city, around which there are alleys and parks with a wonderful variety of plantings. For vacationers, sun loungers, umbrellas, equipment rental and water sports equipment are available.

Dinar

The north-western region of France Brittany has all the necessary advantages to attract tourists from all over the world. One of the most popular places in the province is the city of Dinard. It mesmerizes with its sandy beaches, hilly landscapes and beautiful green gardens. The life of the resort does not tolerate the hustle and bustle. A calm and measured atmosphere prevails here. The fresh invigorating air of the Atlantic Ocean, the composition of pristine natural landscapes and the architecture of the past centuries enjoy a pleasant stay.

Luxurious mansions built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries add a special charm to the resort. A walk along the rocky coast under the spreading pine trees leaves a picturesque impression. The sandy beach Ekluz, stretching between two capes, amazes with its vastness. Luxurious Victorian villas stretch parallel to the shore. Pleasantly surprised by the wide range of spa facilities offering health and rejuvenating thalassotherapy treatments.

Mandelieu la Napoule

On the coastal rocky green hills in the bay of the emerald bay, the small Mediterranean town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule settled. This place is associated with golf courses, mimosas blooming everywhere and international regattas. Fans of a variety of outdoor activities come here.

The deep bay is ideal for sailing, diving, windsurfing, water skiing. In the harbor of Mandelieu-la-Napoule, there are five ports, a marina, a training center for sailing ships. The picturesqueness of the resort is amazing. Magnificent forest and mountain landscapes are harmoniously combined with gentle turquoise sea and clean sandy beaches.

The enchanting aromas of pine trees, mimosas and fresh sea breezes fill the air with a pleasant fragrance. Among the attractions of the resort, the castle of La Napoule of the XIV century stands out. The architectural monument was erected on the seashore, surrounded by lush plantings and a garden complex. The historic building serves as a museum, gallery and cultural center.

Juan-les-Pins

The relatively young resort town of the French Riviera Juan-les-Pins is located in the depths of a secluded bay between two green capes.Extensive sandy beaches, a variety of colorful vegetation, and countless entertainment options make this a popular tourist destination. Seaside comfortable boulevard is replete with trendy cafes, bars, restaurants, discos and brand boutiques.

Vacationers with children will find a magnificent water park, an exotic butterfly garden and an oceanarium. The resort's hotels offer their guests comfortable living conditions with a range of all kinds of services. The long coastal strip is covered with soft, delicate sand. At the disposal of tourists is an abundance of water activities for every taste. An amazing pine grove and palm alley stretch along the beaches. The stormy resort life is accompanied by theater and music festivals.

Arcachon

The mighty emerald bay of the Atlantic Ocean is washed by the modern tourist town of Arcachon. It is a major fishing port, a well-known oyster region and a popular resort area in France. He conquers with refined elegance and measured pace of life. The amazing local nature contributes to a wellness holiday.

The resort has an excellent set of climatic advantages. This is favored by pine forests, sand dunes, sea air and clear waters of the bay. The city is replete with architectural masterpieces that have shaped its delightful appearance. Here you can see luxurious mansions and villas with bizarre combinations of different styles of architecture.

It is impossible to ignore the Mauritanian Park, where palms, cedars and sequoias grow side by side. A magical collection of roses, as well as ponds and waterfalls, add to the natural beauty of the area. A sandy beach stretches along the promenade boulevards of Arcachon, the width of which reaches 300 meters. The coastline is not equipped with resort attributes. Tourists come here with their beach accessories. The bay is shallow enough with a smooth descent into the water.

Biscarrosse

The village of Biscarrosse is located on the Atlantic coast of France in the Aquitaine region. This small settlement with well-groomed cozy green streets offers its guests a varied and exciting holiday both on land and on the ocean waves. The length of the coastal strip is more than 20 kilometers. The wide, well-maintained sandy beach is surrounded by lush green thickets.

There are conditions for surfing, water skiing, scuba diving, sailing and fishing. In addition to beach activities, tourists can go horse riding and archery, visit the water park and the Museum of the History of Hydroaviation, or take a bike tour along the trails of the pine forest. Among the architectural sights, the medieval castle of Montbronn and the old church of St. Martin deserve attention.

Mimizan

The original settlement of Mimizan is buried in the green of lush coniferous trees and fragrant citrus orchards. This is one of the pearls of the Silver Coast of France, washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort is famous for the production of perfume oils. Mimizan occupies a flat area. The streets are built up with low-rise cottage-type buildings. Extensive beach areas, equipped with the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, cause delight.

Long spacious endless stripes are covered with velvet golden sand, distinguished by exceptional purity. Here you can feel the true power and energy of the ocean waves. At the disposal of tourists there are hotels with excellent service, catering establishments and shops, rental bicycles and equipment for water sports.

Lacanau

The French town of Lacanau is one of the resorts on the Silver Coast. It is a land of vast beaches, golden sand dunes, majestic waves, emerald pine forests and oyster farms. Coniferous resinous air combines with a brackish fresh ocean breeze to create ideal climatic conditions. Here, those who want to get away from the bustle of the world and be alone with the pristine nature, soak up the sandy shore in the shade of lush vegetation and take up active water entertainment will find something to their liking.

Raging ocean waves roll over the coastal zone, trying to reclaim as much sandy space as possible. Holidays in Lacanau are especially interesting for fans of surfing the crest of a wave. There is a surfing training center in the city. Other active leisure activities include kiting, water skiing, cycling and horse riding. Numerous guest houses, villas and small hotels offer decent accommodation.

Sulac-sur-Mer

The hospitable town of Soulac-sur-Mer is located on the Atlantic coast. This resort area of ​​the Aquitaine region offers travelers many opportunities for an impressive vacation. Sulac-sur-Mer attracts lovers of both idle pastime and connoisseurs of architectural monuments, and supporters of active water entertainment. Hotels, restaurants, catering establishments, sports grounds and shops welcome their visitors.

The main center of tourist attraction is the central beach. The vast sandy coast impresses with its grandiose grandeur. Its length is seven kilometers. The endless beach area is washed by the emerald waters of the ocean. Here you can enjoy lying on the velvety soft sand, as well as water skiing, catamarans and surfing. A walk along the well-groomed promenade or the paths of the nearby pine forest will leave a pleasant experience.

The city has about 500 luxurious 19th century villas. Historic mansions reflect an unusual architectural diversity. Curious tourists will be interested in visiting the ancient basilica of Our Lady of the 12th century. The shrine, included in the UNESCO list, was buried under the sand dunes for a long time.

Saint-Malo

On the southwestern coast of the English Channel there is a resort with an actively developing infrastructure - Saint-Malo. The history of its foundation dates back to the XII century. This amazing place has preserved its historical and cultural heritage. The former pirate capital of France has turned into an interesting town in the Brittany region.

Tourists have the opportunity to combine relaxation on the amazing sandy beaches with unforgettable walks along the busy promenade and narrow cobbled streets of the medieval quarter surrounded by a fortress wall. The architectural ensemble of Saint-Malo fascinates with its stone monumental and severe external appearance.

The majestic unapproachable citadel with massive walls, towers and loopholes is the hallmark of the resort. The wide coastal sandy strip stretches for several kilometers.At the service of tourists there are sports equipment rental, sun loungers and umbrellas, pavilions with soft drinks. Long wooden piers provide protection from the rushing, powerful waves of the Atlantic.

Ajaccio

Ajaccio is the capital of the Mediterranean island of Corsica and the famous birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Streets and squares, parks and fountains, restaurants and hotels were named here in honor of the French emperor and his entourage, as well as numerous pedestals were erected. The sea coast, cliffs, bays, forests and mountains, stretching inland, form a harmonious natural ensemble.

Despite the provincial atmosphere, this cozy resort area has a well-developed infrastructure. Beach areas, guesthouses, restaurants, shops and stalls maintain the popularity of the tourist town. Acquaintance with historical sights will significantly enrich the recreation program. Of interest are Catholic churches, an ancient citadel, a port, palaces and the old city.

The architectural monuments are silent witnesses of the birth and youth of the famous native of Corsica. In the vicinity of Ajaccio, there are picturesque beaches with white sand, turquoise bays and rocky shores. Fans of outdoor activities are offered a variety of water activities for every taste. This is jet skiing and catamarans, diving and snorkeling, yacht and boat trips.

Porticcio

In the southern part of the island of Corsica, there is the cozy village of Porticcio. He deservedly gained worldwide fame as one of the most popular resort places in France thanks to the wonderful sandy beaches and gentle emerald waters of the sea. For the ecological pristine cleanliness of the sea bays, the coastal strips of the resort are annually awarded the honorary title "Blue Flag".

In Porticcio, tourists will find a comfortable and exciting holiday. This is favored by cozy hotels, thalassotherapy centers, Corsican restaurants, shops and numerous entertainment establishments. For lovers of water activities there is the opportunity to go diving and fishing, take a boat trip, go water skiing.

France seaside resorts on the map