The Best Beaches in France

From the warm crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, to the long, white pebbled beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, France is a favorite summer get-away for beach-goers of all kinds. The hot and sultry summer months draw visitors from around the globe, to soak up the sun, and bathe in the sparkling blue waters of this romantic vacation destination.

June is the best month to enjoy the beautiful beaches of France. Whether soaking yourself in the glistening waters, or just soaking up the rays of the afternoon sun, you will find the weather perfect for those long lazy days at the beach. June is also one of the better times to find those less crowded spots along the seaside. The June visitor will find most French businesses keeping longer hours, giving easy access to shops, restaurants, events and entertainment as well.

The French Riviera
The beaches on the French Riviera are known throughout the world as the hottest and most glamorous places to tan.
In it's native language the French Riviera is known as Cote d'Azur, meaning literally "The Golden Coast." This term closely describes the breathtaking coastline, which features stunning cliffs and vast expanses of sandy golden beach.

The term "French Riviera" is used when referring to the South Eastern Coastline of France, which spans from Cassis, as the southern most point, to Menton in the north. Travelers will have plenty of beach to choose from. From the towering cliffs and vast sandy beaches of Nice, to the exotic, trendy nude beaches in St. Tropez, finding the ultimate beach spot in France is simply a matter of deciding what type of beach you are searching for. While at the more populated beaches on the French Riviera you'll find all night parties, or in other areas topless or nude swimmers and sunbathers. You may also prefer a more private beach, accessed only by guests in one of the exclusive hotels along the waterfront in Cannes.

Nice
Nice, known as the Sparkling Jewel of the French Riviera, offers clear blue waters and miles of white, pebbly beaches. A fairly crowded beach scene is typical of this popular travel destination. People watchers will have a lot to take in here.
Cultural hot-spots, the beaches of Nice are also great places to meet travelers from all around the world.

Garoupe beach on Cap d'Antibes offers beautiful, warm waters, which are sheltered by peninsulas surrounding the bay. Here visitors at sunrise are in for an amazing display, as the brilliant dawn lights both water and sea.
Keller Beach, Plage Joseph, La Joiliette, and Petite Plage are all sections of Garoupe beach, each offering it's own brand of family fun and a variety of tourist attractions, from water slides, to 'beach mattress' and umbrella sales.

Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez, a beautiful and famed destination on the French Rivera, is surrounded by endless white sandy beaches which offers vacationers a bright and sunny climate. Saint Tropez is known as a playground for the rich and Hollywood elite. More modest travelers come to work on their tan, or unload money on expensive drinks in any of the abundant and stylish nightclubs. Celebrity watching is also popular. On the whole, Saint Tropez is hip, upscale, and expensive, but never-the-less, a fun city to kick back in.

When visiting St. Tropez with children, keep in mind the best beaches for families are those closest to the center of town. including the Plage de la Bouillabaisse and Plage des Graniers. Further out you will discover Plage des Jumeaux an active beach; which draws many families with young children, because it has playground equipment. There are also boat rentals, as well as jet skis, scooters, and water-skiing equipment rentals here.

More daring are the 6-mile crescents at Plage des Salins and Plage de Pampelonne a bit further out from the center of town. For those looking for a challenge, this is the spot to brave the currents and cliffs of St. Tropez.

At Pampelonne about 35 businesses occupy a 3-mile stretch, including the concessionaire that is noted as an all-gay venue "The Aqua Club", Plage de Pamplonne. Gay men tend to gravitate to Coco Beach in Ramatuelle.

Famous "party" spots along Pampelonne include the cash-only club La Voile Rouge which features bawdy spring-break-style entertainment. This is the most outrageous, the sexiest, and the most exhibitionist (not for children) of the beaches of St-Tropez. Also thriving are Le Club, 55 bd. Patch, Plage de Pampelonne and Nikki Beach. Nikki Beach is known as the most wild, frenetic, and uninhibited spot in the south of France.

Plage de Tahiti occupies the north end of the Pampelonne, lined with concessions, cafes, and restaurants. It's a strip of golden sand long favored by exhibitionists wearing next to nothing (or nothing). If you want to go topless, this is the place to do it.

Cannes
Many French travelers prefer the more exclusive beaches of Cannes. Visitors staying in any of the posh hotels along the water front will have access to the quieter, more private beaches here. Some public access beach area is available in Cannes, but be aware that there is a fee to sunbathe here, unless you are a guest at one of these hotels.
Cannes is also an area where many of Hollywood's rich and famous are likely to be seen. Star-watching is a favorite pastimes in this elite area of Southern France. This city on the French Riviera is the location for the famous Cannes Film Festival, which normally takes place in mid to late May. Those visitors hoping to get a glimpse of a favorite celebrity will have the best chance at this time of year.

While the French Riviera offers an endless number of beautiful beaches, those found in Cannes, St. topez, and Nice are some of the most popular destinations for travelers. A variety of options are available for all kinds of beach-goers, from the adventure seeker, to the traveler seeking to just "get away from it all."