Destinations

The 18 most beautiful beaches in the South of France

Avoid the crowds at these lesser-known sandy spots
The 18 most beautiful beaches in the South of France
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In Vincent Van Gogh’s words: “The whole future of art is to be found in the South of France.” The bevvy of beaches in the region is a testament to this – they are works of art in their own right. While the Cote d'Azur is renowned for its razzle-dazzle, the whole area spans the Camargue and down to Corsica, with its wonderfully wild beaches.

Overall, the South of France has it all: a rich heritage and steeped history, Provençal countryside villages and markets, and sparkly white beaches with azure coves. The big blue beckons on any trip here, with some of the most idyllic, exclusive and elusive spots aligned together. The French Riviera is known for its celebrity clientele and there are sophisticated, high-grade, sandy beaches to decamp to: some public, some private.

The plethora of pristine shores makes it hard to choose – be it Calvi, Porquerolles or Pampelonne, we’ve selected eighteen beach destinations you’ll long to be on. Glamorous beach clubs, superyachts and Breton stripes are optional. 

You’ll see why this area is home to some of the best beaches in France. Plus for more inspiration, see our edit of the best beaches in Europe.

  • Plage des Marinieres Villefranche sur Mer
    Prisma by Dukas Presseagentur GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

    Plage des Marinieres, Villefranche-sur-Mer

    The good-looking French fishing village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, sandwiched between Monaco and Nice, is also the perfect beach stop. Its pretty Provencial scenes, rainbow-bright shuttered houses and flower-fringed markets are alluring on their own - it’s a must-visit even without the added beach attraction. Though the French Riviera has many pebble beaches, Plage des Marinieres ups the sandy shores game with its flour-soft sands. The beach has curves in all the right places: it’s a crescent of sand that sweeps around cobalt waves. The Citadel, a 16th-century medieval fortress, is perched atop a hill and affords sublime views of Cap Ferrat and the Cote d’Azur - go for a sundowner to remember.

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    Plage du Camp Long, Agay Bay, Agay

    Agay, a half-moon bay near St Raphaël (a mere 15-minute drive) is a spectacular destination on the French Riviera coastline. The bay itself is cloaked in greenery and rimmed by hills and secret creeks making it feel like a secretly-special part of the region away from the hordes. But Plage du Camp Long has long been a favourited beach in the South of France. Its natural asset is its breathtaking forest-clad beach under the shadows of the Esterel mountains. After spending time at this blissed-out beach bounty, head back to the seaside city of Saint-Raphaël for haute cuisine on the sparkling marina.

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    En Vau, Massif des Calanques

    For an adventure, journey to the Massif des Calanques - the spectacular limestone coves and cliffs that run some 20km from Marseille right the way to Cassis. Tip: grab your hiking boots. It’s not a place for the vertiginous as hiking this lofty area can be a challenge for some, but its natural, artistic beauty is soul-reviving. Astonishing En Vau is a hike with a memorable view of deep emerald waters and mighty, craggy cliffs. It’s one for Dora (the Explorer) and to experience the sheer beauty of the Calanques rather than idling by the sea - it’s your future screensaver.

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    Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

    Paloma Beach on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - named after Paloma Picasso, who spent time with his family in the tranquil, tucked-away spot - has always been considered one of the French Riviera’s most captivating beaches. Nestled deep within greenery, in a breathtaking location, Paloma is the best place for pure relaxation. Have time out on the beach where the rich and famous have been known to escape to and exclusivity reigns: a section of these special sands is reserved for private guests only. With its 1950s nostalgia, fine pebble beach and unreal coastal views, this is the place to hang out and people-watch. Paloma is also family-friendly, so there are lots of watersports on offer including paddleboarding, sailing and water skiing, keeping the kids busy - while you gaze at the gleaming yachts on the water.

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    Calvi Beach, Calvi, Corsica

    The French island of Corsica is frequently voted a top beach destination. Why? For starters, it boasts an impressive 200 beaches - a blend of quieter, lesser-known adult havens and a selection of more boisterous family sands. In the north of the island, Plage de Calvi’s pure white whisper of sand is four miles long and a little bit of heaven. A bonus: families love it here too, with its soft granules ripe for sandcastles and sultry simmering waves - aquatic pursuits are the order of the day. There’s no need to bring a picnic, there are ample restaurants and cafes set back off the shores. Rating all of Corsica’s beaches would be a wonderful assignment you might not want to return from.

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    Antibes, French Riviera

    One of the Riviera’s most dashing destinations, Antibes has a storied history filled with artists, writers and celebrities - Picasso, Fitzgerald, Di Caprio, Beyonce and Jay Z - it’s clear why they still descend in droves. Antibes’ soft, honey-hued swathes of beach and bright, crystalline seas are both part of its natural charms. Book a stay at super-luxe Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel or Art-Deco-design Hôtel Belles Rives (formerly Villa Saint-Louis) where Fitzgerald stayed with Zelda and penned ‘Tender is the Night’. Show off your Breton stripes at the ritzy beach clubs facing the turquoise waters or take the Picasso trail - a ravishing 5km walking route covering his creative inspiration that hugs the rugged coast. Tucked between Nice and Cannes, Antibes’ old town is perfectly Provencial and an amble around the local markets or a lingering lunch stop is essential. For families seeking an active beach, Plage de la Salis is family-friendly with stress-free gentle waters.

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    Pampelonne, St Tropez

    When thinking of the French Riviera, flashy St Tropez always springs to mind with its swagger, superyachts and sublime restaurants. And Pampelonne Beach is the beach that gets the press. Bridget Bardot’s famed hangout and 40th birthday location is everything you’d imagine it to be: unapologetically ravishing. Glitzy deluxe hotels and clubs aside, the beach is public property. More importantly, the talcum-powder-soft sands and deep blue ocean are near-perfection. A Bardot bikini is optional: there’s also a nudist section for those that really want to sample the great outdoors. Summer gets stacked and temperatures rocket, so go off-peak to have more space and breezy sea air.

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    Porquerolles Island, Var

    It’s a mere five-mile ferry trip from the southern French coast to the petite island of Porquerolles. This gorgeous isle is ideal for escaping the masses and switching off - the Bali Hai-style island is the best advert for beachy paradise. The island’s nature is protected and no cars are allowed, making it feel all the more special. There is a magical mix of soft sandy sweeps, and dramatic hiking trails, both enveloped by the beautiful big blue. Notre Dame is the best beach to lounge on: this shady, tree-fringed stretch of beach feels far removed from the mainland, and - a note to snorkellers - the aqua waters are teeming with technicolour fish. Beach days couldn’t get better, just bring supplies and you’re all set.

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    Plage de Sylvabelle, La Croix Valmer

    You have to access the white sands of Sylvabelle via quite a steep rocky set of steps, which means even in high season you’re likely to find a place for your towel. The sand is fine and golden, the sea clear – not so unusual for the area. But what is unusual is the complete absence of commerce: no music, no beach bars, no car noise. So bring lunch and a book.

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    Baie de Paulilles, Port-Vendres

    This calm curve of a bay doesn’t have the golden sand of nearby Argelès-sur-Mer, or the crowds that come to sit on it. But it has a magnificent view of the Albères, and a rich (and highly protected) sea life that makes for wonderful snorkelling.

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    Plage Rayol-Canadel

    A golden family beach with soft sand and spectacular sunset views of Cap Nègre, the peninsula owned almost entirely by Carla Bruni’s family. ake a sun lounger at buzzy Club Tropicana, where neither the sunbeds nor the drinks are free, or just pitch up with a towel on the sand.\

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    Plage de Portissol, Sanary-sur-Mer

    The Provençal harbour of Sanary is worth a visit in itself – it’s a lovely example of simple South of France coastal living, dotted with fish restaurants and smaller boats. A short walk away, the beach dominates this natural bay west of Toulon – posidonia (a natural sea grass) is allowed to encroach on the sand, which makes for a very natural environment and sparkly clean sea. There are some concessions to man: a diving board and steps allow visitors to plunge into the sea at its deepest point, and showers are provided for those exiting the bay. Otherwise the sea is shallow for several metres, meaning it’s great for non-swimmers, and pebbly underfoot, which makes it ideal for snorkelling.

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    Plage de la Mala, Cap d'Ail

    Although it’s between the legendary summering spots of Monaco and Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat, this small sandy beach is not particularly crowded. Largely because parking is sometimes difficult and there is a steep rocky descent to get to the cove. But for those who make the trip, or have a boat to drop them directly on the sand, there are two Provençal restaurants with sunbeds, amazing views of the Caps and a little watersports hire centre. The beach is at its best off season, when you might have the sand to yourself.\

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    Pointe de l'Aiguille, Théoule-sur-Mer

    The stretch of coastline between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes is quite extraordinary – with russet beaches backed by red rocks that look more like they’re from Mars than the Côte d'Azur. This area has been much colonised by the hotel industry, but Théoule is relatively untouched, protected by a preservation order. Don’t expect white sand – the Pointe de l’Aiguille beach is pebbly and dotted with large boulders, and it takes a walk along a rocky path to get to it, but it’s a stunning natural cove. From here you get great views of Cannes and the passing gin palaces sailing the Med. The craggy shore shouldering the beach is a challenge for the intrepid to go rock diving straight into the limpid water. Take your lunch, or look out for the little snack boat that pulls up in high season.

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    Plage de l'Ouille, Collioure

    A secluded beach off the beaten track at the foot of the Pyrenees, with completely transparent waters for snorkelling around the rocks and peaceful swimming alongside abundant fish. If you don’t have a mask with you, the sea here is so clear that you can stand knee deep in the water and watch them glide past. Just one restaurant serves the beach, with unpretentious seafood and Catalan dishes. It’s a short walk from the pretty Catalonian harbour of Collioure, which is dominated by the Fort Carré, an 18th-century fortress built on the unspoilt coast.

TopicsDestinationsSouth Of FranceFranceEuropeBeaches