21 Best Coastal Towns In France To Visit In 2025

ByNatali

With over 3,000 km of coastline, there are many charming coastal towns in France to explore.

Given the abundance of options, you’re probably wondering which coastal towns are the best to visit.

I’ve got you covered!

I’m a big fan of charming beach towns, cobblestone streets, and colorful seafront houses, so I set out to visit as many beach towns in France as possible!

You’re in for a treat from popular towns like Nice and Saint-Malo to quaint villages like Èze or Honfleur.

Here are the most beautiful seaside towns in France!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!

colorful umbrellas on a sand beach in biarritz france

1. Biarritz

  • Location: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming, surfing

Situated in the southwest of France, this upscale coastal town attracts thousands of French and international tourists each year. 

Did you know that Napoleon used to have his summer residence in Biarritz? It’s safe to say that Biarritz has a long history as an upscale summer holiday destination.

I love how the city kept its elegant vibe, with beautiful villas overlooking the sea, while becoming a popular laid-back surf destination at the same time.

Biarritz has some of the best beaches in the region. You can enjoy calm beaches sheltered from the waves, or head to the strip of sand facing the open sea for beginner-friendly surfing.

Where to stay in Biarritz?

port in nice lined with colorful buildings with many yachts and sailing boats docked

2. Nice

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Nice is one of my favorite large cities in France and I’m sure you’ll love it too.

Whether you’re looking for a beach or sightseeing destination, Nice should be on your 7 day France itinerary.

I might be biased as I’m not the biggest fan of sand beaches, but the pebbled beach in Nice is one of my favorite beaches in France. 

The city center of Nice has that typical Mediterranean charm, with colorful houses, cobblestone streets, and numerous terraces. 

Nice is also a great base for day trips to smaller towns and villages in the area!

Where to stay in Nice?

old port in the city center of cassis france

3. Cassis

  • Location: Cote d’Azur
  • Best For: Swimming, hiking

Cassis is best known as a getaway to the famous Calanques, but the town itself is quite charming too. You can easily get there by bus from Marseille.

It is a typical Mediterranean small coastal town, with cobblestone streets, colorful houses, an old port with small boats, and several beaches within walking distance from the city center.

For a different experience, you can also hike to Calanques. The hike starts relatively easy, but it gets harder the closer you get to Calanque d’En-vau, so I suggest you wear proper hiking shoes for that section.

Bring a lot of water! When I did the hike I ran out of water quickly as the sun was super strong, already in early June!

Calanque de Port Pin is the most popular as it is quite easy to reach, you’ll just need to walk for about 10 minutes, while you’ll have to go on a proper hike to reach Calanque d’En-vau.

Where to stay in Cassis?

4. Saint-Malo

  • Location: Brittany
  • Best For: Sightseeing

France’s north coast might not be as popular as the south, but it is home to some of the most beautiful coastal towns in France.

The old city center of Saint-Malo is situated on an island, with recognizable elegant seafront buildings and a large sandy beach outside the city walls.

Saint-Malo is a great destination year-round if you’re not counting on swimming. There is also a cool sea pool in front of the city walls!

Due to strong tides, the pool was built to keep the water on the beach the whole day. To be fair, the sea would be too cold for an average swimmer otherwise even in the high of summer.

Where to stay in Saint Malo?

5. Menton

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Menton is one of the most beautiful towns along the French Riviera, recognizable by its colorful seafront buildings in the Old Town. 

The city is situated just a short drive from the Italian border, so the architecture looks a lot like you’re in Italy. I love the seafront houses and the maze of cobblestone streets once you enter the Old Town.

The city also has a beautiful beach right in the city center, making it a perfect summer holiday destination to consider when planning a trip to France. 

Where to stay in Menton?

6. Antibes

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Still staying in the French Riviera, we have Antibes. This fairytale-like walled town is one of the most picturesque in the area. 

I found it so interesting how both Antibes and Saint-Malo are walled seafront cities in France, but the architecture and the vibes are completely different!

The most popular time to visit Antibes is in the summer, but the city is stunning year-round. Besides strolling the cobblestone streets and enjoying the atmosphere, you can also visit the 14th-Century Fort Carré

Where to stay in Antibes?

typical seaside villa in a french coastal town arcachon

7. Arcachon

  • Location: Gironde
  • Best For: Swimming

Ever since I moved to Bordeaux in 2022, I spent every summer in Archachon. Just an hour’s train ride from Bordeaux and you’re in one of the most popular summer destinations of the French.

Arcachon has a unique blend of a laid-back beach town and a trendy summer destination. 

The architecture is fantastic, and I love walking along the coastline admiring the summer residences people built there in the past century.

Of course, you can’t miss the largest sand dune in Europe – Dune du Pilat, just 6 km from the city center of Arcachon.

Where to stay in Arcachon?

8. Èze

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Whoever says France is overrated, didn’t visit old French villages like Èze.

Situated just a short ride from Nice, Èze is a perfect year-round destination. The village is not exactly on the seafront, instead, it is a hilltop village with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. 

I love the rustic cobblestone streets and stone houses with red brick roofs, perfect for a relaxing day sightseeing and enjoying French cuisine. 

If you want to go to the beach, there are several charming coves and a large pebbled beach right outside of the village.

Where to stay in Eze?

seafront buldings and sailboats in the port in marseille france

9. Marseille

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

The second largest city in France is also a fantastic summer destination for beach lovers. Marseille is a coastal town, with several sandy beaches right in the city center!

The Old Port is one of the main tourist attractions in the city and a perfect place to stroll around on a warm summer evening. Marseille beaches are easily accessible by public transportation, so you don’t need a car.

I spent several days in Marseille and loved how lively the city is, with many seafront bars and restaurants overlooking the port. 

If you want to escape the crowds, you can explore the smaller streets connecting to the main promenade. However, Marseille is as far from a quaint coastal town as it gets! If you’re comparing Marseille and Nice, Marseille is much more lively and rough around the edges. However, that’s part of its charm!

Where to stay in Marseille?

la rochelle old city port lined with historic white three story houses

10. La Rochelle

  • Location: Charente-Maritime
  • Best For: Sightseeing

La Rochelle is a great coastal city to visit in spring or autumn, as it is great for sightseeing. I love the cobblestone streets in the city center, the historic promenades, and the local shops dotted under arcaded streets.

You’ll see many yachts and sailing boats in the marina because this area is also great to explore by sea. 

If you’re looking for beaches, and you don’t own a boat, hop on over to Ile de Re. 

This local getaway is known for its long sandy beaches and the charming town of La Flotte, it’s classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France!

Where to stay in La Rochelle?

small boats docked in the port in villefranche sur mer

11. Villefranche-sur-Mer

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Villefranche-sur-Mer is situated just 2 train stops from Nice, but it feels like you’ve been transported to a medieval fairytale town.

The beach is one of the main reasons people go here, but I absolutely loved the maze of cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses. 

The Old Port is a perfect place to grab a drink or dinner in one of the many seafront restaurants.

Another cool thing to do in the area is to hike a section of the Sentier du Littoral. You could walk to Nice or in the other direction towards Saint Jean Cap Ferret.

TOP TIP: A road trip along the French Riviera, hitting Marseille, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, and Saint Tropez is a fantastic idea for 5 days in France itinerary!

Where to stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer?

12. Etretat

  • Location: Pays de Caux
  • Best For:  Sightseeing, hiking

When you think of Etretat you probably think of the majestic cliffs surrounding the city. However, this northern French fishing village is quite charming to visit too!

La Porte d’Aval cliff is one of the most recognizable landscapes, and you can see it right from the beach in front of the village.

You can also visit the house of the author Maurice Leblanc, best known for the series of novels Lupin.

The best views are from the top of the cliffs, as you get to see the grey roofs of the village and the large white sand beach stretching in front of it. The hikes are not difficult and the views are so worth it!

Where to stay in Etretat?

13. Honfleur

  • Location: Calvados
  • Best For: Sightseeing

Honfleur is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Northern France. The architecture is so different than the cities in the south, and I thought it looked like it was in Denmark the first time I saw it.

Honfleur is a great place to visit year-round, but it is not a beach town, as it’s situated on the estuary where the Seine River meets the English Channel. 

The city is recognizable by its 16-18th century tall, elegant houses along the canal and Port de Honfleur, which inspired many artists like Monet and Renoir. 

You can also walk to the estuary and stroll through Honfleur’s public gardens along the seafront or take a boat trip!

Where to stay in Honfleur?

14. Deauville

  • Location: Calvados
  • Best For: Sightseeing, beaches

Just a short drive from Honfleur, you’ll find Deauville – a 19th-century upscale holiday destination, which attracts holidaymakers to this day. 

You can visit Deauville year round, as it is a beautiful town to simply stroll around admiring belle epoque villas and half-timbered buildings.

On hot summer days, you can even swim on Deauville beach, it is a beautiful sandy beach but the water might be too cold for some. 

Where to stay in Deauville?

15. Erbalunga

  • Location: Corsica
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

It’s hard to pick the most beautiful villages in Corsica, as the island is dotted with picturesque places.

While Pigna might be one of the most beautiful hilltop villages, Erbalunga is the one to visit if you’re looking for the best French fishing villages.

Perched on a small peninsula, with connected seafront houses, it almost reminds me of Venice. It is just a short drive from Bastia, so you should make at least a quick stop to visit!

Where to stay in Erbalunga?

16. Saint-Jean-de-Luz

  • Location: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Just a short drive from the Spanish border, you’ll find one of the most unique French coastal towns. Recognizable by its red-timbered seafront houses, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a perfect small seaside town.

You can enjoy warm summer days sipping drinks on one of many terraces on the cobblestone streets or swimming on a wide sandy beach right in the city center!

Where to stay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz?

17. Saint Tropez

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

We can’t talk about beach towns in France without mentioning Saint Tropez. It is one of the more expensive places to visit in France, but it is also quite iconic and worth visiting.

Saint Tropez gained popularity in the 1960s, as an international jet set destination. This small seafront town kept that reputation to this day, and it is still known for its nightlife, upscale restaurants, and resorts. 

Still, Saint Tropez is not reserved just for international celebrities! If you’re on a budget, simply avoid the peak summer season. 

If you visit Saint Tropez in September you can still enjoy the beaches and stroll picturesque cobblestone streets with colorful houses and the view of the iconic clocktower.

Where to stay in Saint Tropez?

18. Collioure

  • Location: Pyrénées-Orientales
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Not many tourists venture so far to visit Collioure, a small French beach town north of Barcelona. However, those who are willing to get off the beaten path are in for a treat!

With two beaches right in the city center, Collioure is a perfect summer holiday destination. The walled old city also makes for a unique atmosphere and interesting medieval vibes. 

History lovers will enjoy learning about the complex defense system of this small city, complete with Château Royal and several hilltop forts.

Where to stay in Collioure?

19. Martigues

  • Location: Côte d’Azur 
  • Best For: Sightseeing, swimming

Colorful seafront houses of Martigues will make you feel like you’re visiting the Burano island in Venice. Instead, you’re just a short drive from the bustling city of Marseille. 

Apart from the beautiful seafront promenade, there isn’t much to do in Martigues, so it makes for a great day trip combined with one of the nearby beaches.

Where to stay in Martigues?

20. Pornic

  • Location: Bretagne
  • Best For: Sightseeing

Pornic is a charming coastal town in Southern Bretagne, about 50 km from Nantes.

The Old Port is the main tourist area of the city, with typical seafront houses and Pornic Castle overlooking the calm port.

There are several sandy beaches around the city, but it is more of a coastal walk type of destination. 

Sure, you can still go in for a dip on a hot summer day, especially if you branch out of the city center.

Beaches around Pornic are picturesque and small sandy coves. Plage des Grandes Vallées is one of the most popular to visit. 

Where to stay in Pornic?

colorful sun umbrellas on a sandy beach on a sunny day in lacanau ocean

21. Lacanau Ocean

  • Location: Gironde
  • Best For: Surfing

Situated on the Atlantic coast close to Bordeaux, Lacanau Ocean is one of the most popular surfing destinations in France. 

Unlike the Landes, it is easy to reach even if you’re traveling in France without a car. First, you need to get to Bordeaux, and then take about an hour bus ride from Bordeaux train station to the city.

Surfing is the main activity in Lacanau, but it is a great swimming destination in the summer. The city is quite compact, with a couple of streets that come alive in the summer.

I visited Lacanau several times, in July and August, and still found the water to be a bit too cold for my liking.

Where to stay in Lacanau?

Summary: Best Coastal Towns In France

French coastline is dotted with charming towns and villages, so it might seem impossible to pick the best ones. 

With so many to choose from, it’s almost impossible to visit all of them on a single trip, so you’ll have to pick a region and return to France for others.

Some of my favorites are Biarritz, Cassis, Saint-Malo, and Menton.

It is easy to travel around France by train, and you can visit many of the smaller French coastal towns on day trips from Paris and other larger cities.

So, where are you going first? Let me know!

Natali is the founder and content creator behind Plan a Trip to France. She moved to France in 2020 where she has been living ever since, exploring every region of this beautiful country. She created this France travel blog to share her favorite places in France and hidden gems to help you plan your trip!

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