Can't Miss French Beaches

Who hasn't dreamt of spending the days in one of those nice French beaches, a book in one hand, maybe a glass of champagne in the other? Well I have!

When most people think of French beaches the first that comes to mind is the Cote d'Azur, often known as the French Riviera, that little bit of paradise in the Mediterranean, but here I will also show you some less known spots that you cannot miss. Follow me!

Saint-Tropez

This is THE place when most people think of the French Riviera. Saint-Tropez has been one of the most fashionable spots in the world for decades, and it's a must for anybody who calls himself or herself a celebrity. I have good news though: you don't have to be neither rich nor famous to enjoy the beautiful fishing village that this town once was. Get lost in the small, charming streets, enjoy the expensive boutiques (hey, looking is for free!) and don't forget to check out the citadel, which offers amazing views of the whole area.

Most of the beaches here are at the Bay de Pampelonne, a three mile stretch of sand south of Saint-Tropez which is populated with several cafes, restaurants and trendy clubs. One of the most famous beaches here is the Plage de Tahiti, which some consider the first official nudist beach in the world, so if you're not shy and this is your thing go check it out! Other beaches that you will find here are the Plage Gigaro, Plage de L'Escalet, Plage de la Moutte or Plage des Graniers.

Whether you are a movie lover or not, you probably know that Cannes hosts one of the most famous film festivals in the world, and although chances are that you are not going to be invited, you can always walk the streets of this beautiful town in the hopes that you will spot Hugh Jackman or Scarlett Johansson!

Truth is, this small city on the coast attracts lots of jet-setters and celebrities, so you will find lots of expensive stores and luxurious hotels, but you can also have a good time without going bankrupt. Walk along the Boulevard de la Croisette, visit the main market (Marche Forville) or go the Vieux Port for a fantastic atmosphere. Cannes has some of the nicest French beaches, although many of them are private and you will only have access if you are staying at one of the luxury hotels there. Public beaches are an attractive option, although remember that, like most tourist places in Europe, they get very crowded in the summer months.

Nice

Nice (pronounced nis) is the largest city in the French Riviera, and you will find some of the nicest French beaches here, all along a four mile stretch of coast. Like in many other spots along the Cote d'Azur, beaches in Nice are covered with small (or sometimes not so small) pebbles, so I would definitely recommend flip flops or some sort of shoes if you want to walk around here.

Again you will find an assortment of private and public beaches; I personally think it's a bit odd to have to pay to go to the beach, but I guess depending on your preferences and your wallet you will just choose whatever suits you best. Also, don't forget to spend some hours in town, as Nice is definitely one of the most interesting cities in the whole south of France: a beautiful medieval old town, lots of different museums as well as an endless array of bars and restaurants will keep you busy.

This area, while quite less popular than the French Riviera, hosts hundreds of beaches worth exploring. The weather may not be as ideal as in the Mediterranean, but at the same time you will have lots of chances of finding private spots where you can get lost without having to deal with massive crowds. The whole southern part of the Atlantic coast, known as the Cote d'Argent, is a surfers' paradise, so if hopping on a board and riding the waves is your kind of thing you won't find a better place in all Europe to do it. Some places I would recommend visiting are Arcachon, St Jean de Luz, La Rochelle, La Baules, Seignosse and Mimizan.

Here are some of the most well known French Beaches, but mostly for historical reasons. Normandy marked the spot of the Allied invasion on D-Day that signified the beginning of the end of World War II, and as such, it still attracts thousands of visitors each year who want to pay respect to the soldiers who fought here or just simply witness one of the places that marked the twentieth century.

Apart from that, there are also lots of coastal towns and beaches worth visiting in this area of France, such as Le Touquet, Hardelot, Saint Malo or Honfleur. Unfortunately, the weather up here will likely be less kind than in the south, but the sheer natural beauty of this area should attract plenty of visitors looking for an unforgettable getaway.

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