France's Top Beaches

If you're planning a self-catering holiday in France this summer, you'll almost certainly want to take in one of the fantastic beaches dotted about the country. We bring you the lowdown on some of the best.

Argelès-Plage

Situated in the Languedoc region, Argelès-Plage is one of Europe's best beaches. With over 8kn of golden sand, the beach rarely gets crowded, even in the height of summer. The crystal clear Mediterranean Sea is great for swimming and ideal for families. The beach is very well-maintained and has plenty of facilities for kids and adults alike. There is a children's beach club, a marina and plenty of places to buy food and drink. The northern end of the beach is home to a tree-lined promenade which provides an attractive shaded area to escape the sun for a while.

To enjoy this beautiful beach on your doorstep, stay in a nearby gite. Gites de France provide a classification system for gites to help you pick the right one for your family.

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Plage de Ménéham.

This spectacular beach is one of Brittany's finest. With stunning white sand and lots of tempting walks, Plage de MMnnham is a great place to spend a day or two. The beach is surrounded by rocky coves and outcrops, ideal for exploring. There are several beaches in the immediate area and it's possible to walk along the sand dunes between them, making this the ideal destination for those who get bored spending a whole day lying in the sun.

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L'Ile de Riou

This Marseille beach is one for the adventurers. Accessible only by boat, it is popular with scuba divers and snorkellers. Home to an undersea forest for divers can explore - a trip to L'Ile de Riou promises to be one you won't forget. Keen divers and snorkelers might choose to stay nearby, enabling them to visit this fantastic beach several times over their holiday. Gites de France lists many gites available to rent for short or long term periods.

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Plage Gigaro

This soft, sandy St Tropez beach is a beauty but doesn't get too crowded with tourists so it's perfect if you desire a bit of peace and quiet. Plage Gigaro is linked by a scenic footpath to other nearby beaches so you'll always be able to find a private spot for a relaxing few hours in the sun. There is plenty of accommodation nearby if you find yourself not wanting to leave this stunning part of France right away.

View villas in Provence.