Europe

The 10 Best Beaches in the South of France

The beaches in the South of France are popular for a reason – it’s one of the most luxurious destinations out there! From the star-studded glam of Cannes and St Tropez to the luscious landscape of the rural interior, visitors never take long to catch on; after all, relaxation is pretty high on the agenda here. That’s due at least in part to the marvellous climate. Balmy and beautiful, it’s one of the most accommodating in Europe and makes a real feature of one of the Côte d’Azur‘s most popular attractions – the stunning beaches.

What’s more, with hundreds of kilometres of coastline to explore, there are a fair few beaches to choose from – so to save you the trouble of wading through countless guides, we’ve strapped on our swimming costumes, applied a little SPF 40 and headed out to find you the 10 best beaches in the South of France! Read on for our Oliver’s Travels’ round-up of our favourite beaches in the South of France…

The Best Beaches in the South of France:

1. Valras Plage, near Béziers

Beaches in the South of France Where: The beach near Beziers is a great all-rounder – soft sand, gentle waters and big enough not to get too crowded.

What to do: You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants, and in summer, the kids will be well-served thanks to an amusement park offering tons of fun rides.

Where to stay: Check out our collection of luxury villas near Béziers.

2. Grande Plage, Hendaye

Grande Plage beach in France Where: Next to the Spanish border on the South West coast of France, Hendaye‘s three km-long sandy beach offers something for the whole family: from long strolls to surfing and bodyboarding spots.

What to do: You’ll find something for everyone there (even for the nudists, as there’s a stretch of the beach towards the Twin Rocks reserved for clothing-optional!). The beach is clean and lifeguards are on hand during the summer; it’s also worth noting that a whole area is dedicated to people with mobility impairments, including a wheelchair ramp going all the way to the ocean. This beach is very central, so you’ll find loads of cafes and restaurants nearby. However, we highly recommend you hop on the ferry for a 10-minute ride to Hondarribia on the other side of the border for a nice seafood lunch.

Where to stay: At one of our luxury villas in South West France.

3. Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer

Where: Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, southwest of Monaco.

What to do: A perfect getaway if you want to avoid the busy beaches in Nice. It’s not particularly wide, but it is long (about a kilometre), and parents can get added peace of mind in July and August thanks to the lifeguards.

Where to stay: Take a look at our stellar collection of villas near Nice.

4. Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Where: If you feel like going for something a little more exclusive on your South of France holiday, this beach is the place to be.

What to do: A section of this half-sand, half-pebble coast is reserved solely for the private use of the rich and beautiful, while the other half is available to everyone else. As a result, take plenty of cash – you’ll need to hire a sunbed (and they’re not particularly cheap), but there’s always the possibility you can do a bit of sneaky celeb-spotting from behind your shades.

Where to stay: We have a selection of stunning villas in the Côte d’Azur.

5. Argelès North, Argelès

Where: If you’re a nature lover, the north side of the beach near Argelès is a lovely location to head to.

What to do: The main beach can get a little crowded and commercial at the best of times. However, if you take a short walk, you can still enjoy the quality clear waters and the stunning views of the Pyrenees without all the hustle and bustle – and, right behind you, you’ll find some equally picturesque grassland that helps block out the rest of the world.

Where to stay: Check out our gorgeous villas in the Midi-Pyrenees.

6. Gruissan Plage, Narbonne

Where: A lovely little beach, near the town of Gruissan, which manages to strike the perfect balance between picturesque and lively.

What to do: With a casino, marina, and plenty of nightlife, adults will have plenty to occupy themselves. Great for spending the day at the beach en famille, then hiring yourself a babysitter and hitting the town at night!

Where to stay: Take a look at our nearby villas.

7. Point Zero beach, La Grande-Motte

Where: Another of our favourite beaches in the South of France which benefits from being close to the town, Point Zero Beach sounds like an Andy McNab novel.

What to do: It’s a lively, welcoming spot to spend a day in the Mediterranean sun. Equally appealing to families, couples and groups of friends, it can get pretty packed – so make sure you head down early.

Where to stay: We have some lovely villas near Montpellier, not far from La Grande-Motte.

8. Vias Beach, near Agde

Where: Nestled between Agde and Beziers and near the Hérault river estuary.

What to do: This French beach is particularly good if you’re partial to a paddle! This beach is small but perfectly formed and is handily sheltered from the harsher winds, perfect to head with smaller kids and toddlers. Another boon is that it’s easy to find, though parking can be a very hit-and-miss affair when it’s high season.

9. The beaches of Sète

Where: With over 12km of white, sandy stretches of beach, Sète offers an intriguing alternative to the South of France coastal experience.

What to do: This isn’t a place that depends on tourists to make money – Sète is a working port, which means it is pretty busy and doesn’t have the laid-back atmosphere of some of the more holiday-friendly beach areas. But the beaches themselves are quiet and beautifully clean with amazing views out to sea, and the fact it’s a port means the seafood here is as fresh as you’re ever likely to taste!

10. Palombaggia Beach, Corsica

Where: Heading a little further south to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea, Palombaggia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in an already beautiful part of the world.

What to do: Reminiscent of the Caribbean with its azure waters and long stretches of fine sand, the beach itself is split into three coves surrounded by loads of high-quality shops, bars, and restaurants. The only problem is that this natural beauty comes at a cost – it gets incredibly busy in Summer (especially during the school holidays), so be prepared!

Where to stay: At one of our idyllic villas in Southern Corsica.

Now you’re familiar with the best beaches in the South of France, find your dream holiday villa and set off for a summer of sunshine on the Med. And, to make your holiday extra special, get in contact with our concierge team , who can advise you and help you book any additional services to make your holiday truly memorable!

Looking for a full list of villas to rent this year? Check out our villa holidays page here.