Southern France’s Best Beaches

The south of France, known locally as "le Midi", is home to some of the country’s best known regions, including Aquitaine in the south west, Languedoc-Roussillon in the south and the famous Cote d’Azur in the south east. France’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines are home to some of the best beaches in Europe and offer a choice for all tastes, from the quieter silver beaches of the Cote d’Argent in Aquitaine that are ideal for water sports to the chic resorts of the French Riviera along the Cote d’Azur.





Cannes is perhaps the best known destination along the French Riviera, best known for its annual film festival and the international jetsetters who turn it into a playground for the rich and famous come the summer. The town also boasts an impressive stretch of beaches which are just metres away from a vast selection of bars, restaurants and cafes, not to mention a plethora of designer stores a little further back from the waterfront. Cannes’s beaches tend to be somewhat crowded however, so be sure to check whether or not your hotel has its own private beaches; many establishments do.

Somewhat eclipsed by its more prestigious neighbour Saint Tropez, Port Grimaud on the Cote d’Azur is one of the south of France’s best kept secrets. It is a favourite amongst locals but has not yet come to the attention of the masses of foreign tourists, making it an ideal place to enjoy the glorious golden sands and elegant waterfront amenities. The nearby fishing village of Theole-sur-Mer, located close to Cannes, feels a world away from the bustle of other Riviera resorts and its idyllic picture-postcard scenery make it an ideal respite if you fancy something a little more relaxed.





Over in Aquitaine, the Bay of Archachon offers a decidedly different experience from the typical Riviera resort. While the area boasts fine beaches and resort towns that owe their origins to members of the Spanish and Russian aristocracy making Archachon their winter retreat in the nineteenth century, there is much more on offer. The bay is a nature reserve that is home to many species of rare birds, as well as providing one of the best oyster-catching areas in France. The picturesque fishing villages that line the shore are an ideal place to stop and sample the local catch for yourself.





The south of France is easily accessible from Britain, either by flying into airports like Bordeaux, Biarritz, Marseilles and Cannes or travelling by train. It is possible to cross the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel, so you can take a train to south of France and be in Marseilles in just three hours thanks to the TGV high speed train network. From there it is only a short drive to some of the best beaches in Europe.





Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.