France is famous for the Eiffel Tower and its renowned museums. The country’s delicious French cuisine also fulfills visitors’ holiday dreams. Furthermore, a 3,427-kilometre-long coastline with numerous sandy beaches lines the glittering Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, choosing the next holiday destination is not so easy. Tourists around the world have certainly heard of the French Riviera. It stands for glitz, glamour and incredible beauty.
Holidaymakers who are off the beaten track will find hidden coves, sleepy fishing villages and secluded sandy beaches where they can relax in peace. Because in France, tourists will really find everything they need to spend an unforgettable holiday in France . In our guide, we highlight four of the most beautiful vacation destinations so you can find the perfect, sun-drenched bliss.
1. The dream beach of Biarritz:
Biarritz is an elegant seaside resort that has been attracting guests from high society since the Belle Epoque (1871 to 1914). The beautiful, wide beach “La Grande Plage” is located near the center of Biarritz. It is about 500 metres long and stretches between the famous Hôtel du Palais and the Casino Barrière. The beach invites you to sunbathe and swim. The sea in Biarritz is also used for surfing thanks to its waves. Furthermore, the Quai de la Plage promenade is ideal for leisurely walks. Visitors will also find restaurants, cafes and bars there, and there are also beach tents and parasols for rent.
The Plage du Miramar, with its beautiful natural scenery, is located right next to the Grand Place. Its colorful striped beach tents give it a graceful look. Well-known surfing beaches in Biarritz are the Côte des Basques, where surfing competitions take place, for example, and the Plage de Marbella, which is a rugged beach with crashing waves.
2. The upscale destination of Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez, located on the French Riviera, is synonymous with seaside glamour and a beautiful Mediterranean landscape. The Plage de Pampelonne beach is 4 kilometres long and is located 6 kilometres south of Sain-Tropez. It stretches between the Cap du Pinet and the Pointe de la Bonne terrace and is divided into sections.
Originally, Saint-Tropez was an unpretentious fishing village. The historic centre of the small town still offers visitors traditional Provençal open-air markets and pavement cafés, which are also frequented by the locals.
The Plage de Pampelonne beach offers holidaymakers the luxury they expect from a resort on the Côte d’Azur. In addition to the public areas, there are of course also private beach clubs that offer amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas, cabanas and well-maintained toilets.
3. Cap d’Antibes
In Antibes, holidaymakers can look forward to a wonderful climate, beautiful sandy beaches and a spectacular coastline. Furthermore, there are also many fun activities in this city on the Côte d’Azur, such as the artists’ hiking trail. It leads past several pictures of paintings.
On top of that, Cap d’Antibes is known for its sandy beaches such as the picturesque Plage de la Garoupe and the beaches Plage Keller, La Petite Plage and Plage Joseph. During the high season, private beach clubs occupy most of the properties on the Plage de la Garoupe. However, in the low season, the entire stretch of coastline is open to the public.
Along the “Sentier de Tirepoil” hiking trail, holidaymakers can admire the beautiful views of the sea and the magnificent villas along the way. Tourists also have the opportunity to visit museums such as the “Musée d’Archéologie Terrestre et Sous-Marine” and the “Château Grimaldi”. The old town of Antibes impresses with its beautiful city walls, narrow streets and cozy squares. In addition, the cities of Nice and Cannes are just around the corner.
4. The beach of Étretat
This beach is visited by tourists during their holidays in Étretat. It stretches for almost a kilometre between the cliffs of Aval and Amont. The beach is almost completely covered with pebbles and separated from the city by a dike (“le perrey”). This dike consists of the four terraces Courbet (Gustave), Monet (Claude), Leblanc (Maurice) and Boudin (Eugene). From the beach, visitors have a beautiful view of the English Channel.
As the beach of Etretat is supervised in summer, swimming is also allowed during this period. There is also a raft available as a diving board. The beach of Etretat has also been awarded the “Blue Flag”, a symbol of exemplary environmental quality. Holidaymakers can swim there in peace. The Friends of Etretat organise a waste collection every year, which is also supported by the Ocean Initiatives and Surfrider Foundation Europe.
Located in Normandy, Etretat beach is also a very good place for surfers. Near the Claude Monet Terrace is a harbour where fishermen and water sports enthusiasts meet. Windsurfing courses are also offered.
Thanks to the picturesque rock formations, both amateur photographers and artists get their money’s worth on Étreat beach. “Jardins d’Etretat”, for example, is a scenic marvel perched above the cliffs, where works of art combine with terraced gardens and invite you to take pictures. A beautiful promenade leads along the emerald green water and offers a delightful change after swimming.
France really has something to offer every holidaymaker. Sunny days in the warm waters, stylish restaurants and beautiful beach destinations. There is also the opportunity to visit well-known museums.
