South of France beaches are famous because they are one of the most luxurious places to visit. From the star-studded glamour of Cannes and St. Tropez to the beautiful countryside in the interior, it doesn’t take long for tourists to figure out that this is a great place to relax. At least some of that is because of the great weather. It’s one of the most welcoming places in Europe because it’s warm and beautiful, and it has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur.
With hundreds of kilometers of coastline to explore, there are a lot of beaches to choose from. To save you the trouble of wading through dozens of guides, we put on our swimsuits, put on some SPF 40, and went out to find the 10 best beaches in the South of France.
1. Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Where: This beach is the place to go in the South of France if you want to do something a little more private.
What to do: This half-sand, half-pebble stretch of coast is only for the rich and beautiful to use, while the other half is open to everyone. So, bring a lot of cash, because you’ll need to rent a sunbed, which isn’t cheap, but you might be able to sneak a peek at a celebrity from behind your sunglasses.
2. Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer
Where: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Plage des Marinières
What to do: A great place to get away from Nice’s crowded beaches. It’s not very wide, but it’s long (about a kilometer), and in July and August, lifeguards give parents extra peace of mind.
3. Grande Plage, Hendaye
Where: On the South West coast of France, near the border with Spain, Hendaye’s 3 km-long sandy beach has something for everyone: long walks, a gentle drop into calm water, and places to surf and bodyboard.
What to do: There’s something for everyone there, even nudists, who have their own section of the beach near the Twin Rocks. During the summer, there are lifeguards on duty and the beach is clean. It’s also important to note that there is a whole area for people with movement issues, including a ramp that goes all the way to the water. This beach is in the middle of the city, so there are a lot of bars and restaurants close by. However, if you want a nice seafood lunch, you should take the ferry for 10 minutes to Hondarribia on the other side of the border.
4. Valras Plage, near Béziers
Where: The beach near Beziers is a great all-arounder when it comes to French beaches. It’s big enough to fit everyone without getting too crowded.
What to do: There are a lot of bars and restaurants, and in the summer, there is an entertainment park with lots of fun rides for kids.
5. Palombaggia Beach, Corsica
Where: Heading a little further south to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea, Palombaggia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in an already beautiful area of the world.
What to do: With its clear blue water and long stretches of fine sand, the beach reminds me of the Caribbean. The beach itself is split into three coves and is surrounded by lots of high-quality shops, bars, and restaurants. The only problem is that all of this natural beauty comes at a price: it gets very crowded in the summer, especially during school breaks, so be ready.
6. The beaches of Sète
Where: Sète, which has over 12 km of white sand beaches, is an interesting alternative to the beaches of the South of France.
What to do: This isn’t a place that counts on tourists to make money. Sète is a working port, so it’s pretty busy and doesn’t have the same laid-back vibe as some of the more tourist-friendly beach areas. But the beaches themselves are quiet, clean, and have great views of the sea. Since it’s a port, the fish here is as fresh as you’re likely to find anywhere else.
7. Vias Beach, near Agde
Where: on the south coast of France
What to do: If you like to paddle, this French beach is a great place to go. This beach is small, but it’s just right. It’s protected from strong winds, so it’s a great place to go with little kids and babies. It’s also easy to find, which is a plus, but parking can be hard to find during busy times.
8. Point Zero beach, La Grande-Motte
Where: Point Zero Beach is another beach close to town that sounds like it should be in an Andy McNab book.
What to do: It is a busy, friendly place to spend a day in the sun of the Mediterranean. It’s good for families, couples, and groups of friends, and it can get pretty crowded, so get there early.
9. Gruissan Plage, Narbonne
Where: It’s not just that it’s a beautiful little beach on its own. Gruissan strikes the right balance between being beautiful and full of life.
What to do: There is a casino, a marina, and a lot of nightlife for people to enjoy. Great if you want to spend the day at the beach and then hire a babysitter to go out at night.
10. Argelès North, Argelès
Where: The north side of the beach near Argelès is a good place to go if you like nature.
What to do: The main beach can get crowded and commercial, but if you take a short walk, you can still enjoy the clear water and beautiful views of the Pyrenees without all the noise. Right behind you is some equally beautiful grassland that helps you forget about the rest of the world.
