Best Beaches in France
map viewFrance's beaches on this page range from the chalk cliffs of Normandy to the Riviera and Corsica. At Étretat, the pebble beach lies between white cliffs and natural arches; it is a place for walks more than for swimming, as the Channel stays cool even in summer. On the Côte d'Azur, the long pebble beach of Nice runs along the Promenade des Anglais, and Menton, close to the Italian border, has the Sablettes beach below its old town. Palombaggia near Porto-Vecchio in Corsica is known for its fine white sand, umbrella pines and turquoise water. The Mediterranean is warm enough for swimming from July to September.
Etretat cliffs, Normandy, France
Dramatic cliffs and sea arches forming one of the most iconic coastal landscapes in France.
Sablettes beach, Menton, France
Sablettes beach is one of the principal urban beaches of Menton, located at the foot of the historic Old Town
Menton beach, France
Menton is a charming coastal town in France on the Mediterranean, known for its beautiful beaches
Palombaggia beach, Corsica, France
Palombaggia Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Corsica, located about 10 kilometers southeast of Porto-Vecchio
Nice beach, Côte d ‘azur, France
Nice Beach is the famous urban coastline located along the French Riviera in the city of Nice
Beaches in France on the map
Numbers match the ranking above. Click a pin to open the place.
Best time to visit beaches in France
Sea and air temperatures averaged over 5 beaches. The sea is warm enough for a comfortable swim (22 °C+) from July–September.
Air: ERA5 climate data 2015–2024 (Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0). Sea: Open-Meteo Marine 2022–2024. Averages for 5 places on this page.
Sea water temperature at beaches in France
Measured today and typical for the season. Updated daily.
| Beach | Region | Now | Usual this month | Swim season (22 °C+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palombaggia beach | Corsica | 26.3 °C | 22–27 °C | Jul – Oct |
| Menton beach | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | 25.1 °C | 22–26 °C | Jun – Sep |
| Nice beach | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | 25.1 °C | 23–26 °C | Jun – Sep |
| Sablettes beach | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | 25.0 °C | 22–26 °C | Jun – Sep |
| Etretat cliffs | Normandy | 19.7 °C | 17–21 °C | — |
Current: Open-Meteo Marine (sea surface temperature), cached for 1 day. Monthly: 2022–2024 averages.
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