Best Beaches in the French Atlantic coast
13 hand-picked beaches in the French Atlantic coast, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Dune du Pilat (4.7 / 5).
Dune du Pilat
Arcachon Bay, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France · Tallest Dune in Europe · 4.7 / 5
Plage des Dames, Noirmoutier
Noirmoutier-en-l Ile, Vendee · Fine sand and colourful beach huts beside a pine wood · 4.6 / 5
Cap Ferret Ocean Beach
Lege-Cap-Ferret, Gironde · Wild Atlantic dunes at the tip of the Arcachon Bay · 4.5 / 5
Plage de la Cote des Basques
Biarritz, Basque Coast · Famous Biarritz surf beach that disappears at high tide · 4.4 / 5
Lacanau Ocean Beach
Lacanau, Gironde · Big Atlantic surf beach on the Silver Coast · 4.4 / 5
Biarritz Grande Plage
Biarritz, Basque Coast, France · Atlantic City Beach with Cliffs · 4.3 / 5
Hossegor Lake Beach
Hossegor, Landes · Calm lake beach in the pines · 4.3 / 5
Plage de la Grande Conche
Royan, Charente-Maritime · Wide sandy bay on the Atlantic coast · 4.3 / 5
Plage de la Palmyre
La Palmyre, Les Mathes, Charente-Maritime · Wide sandy Atlantic beach beside a pine forest in Charente-Maritime · 4.3 / 5
Plage de la Conche des Baleines, Ile de Re
Conche des Baleines, Ile de Re · Wide sandy beach below the Phare des Baleines lighthouse on Ile de Re · 4.3 / 5
Plage de Mimizan
Mimizan, Landes · Wide Atlantic beach with high dunes and surf · 4.2 / 5
Plage d Arcachon, Gironde
Arcachon, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine · Calm bay beach in the town of Arcachon · 4.2 / 5
Plage des Minimes, La Rochelle
Les Minimes, La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime · Sandy beach beside the big marina of La Rochelle · 4.1 / 5About beaches in the French Atlantic coast
The French Atlantic coast has long sandy beaches, dunes and pine forests from the Basque coast to Vendee and Charente-Maritime. Surfing, cycling and oysters are part of the experience, and waves can be large.
When to go
July and August have the warmest water. June and September are quieter, but the Atlantic stays cooler than the Mediterranean.
Getting around
Swim only between the lifeguard flags, as currents can be strong. Cycle paths link many beaches, and a car helps for the wilder dunes.
Easiest beaches to reach
Plage des Dames, Noirmoutier, Lacanau Ocean Beach, Biarritz Grande Plage, Hossegor Lake Beach.
Quieter hidden gems
Plage de la Conche des Baleines, Ile de Re.
All beaches at a glance
- Dune du Pilat: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access moderate.
- Plage des Dames, Noirmoutier: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
- Cap Ferret Ocean Beach: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access moderate.
- Plage de la Cote des Basques: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access moderate.
- Lacanau Ocean Beach: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access easy.
- Biarritz Grande Plage: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access easy.
- Hossegor Lake Beach: best June–September, water about 21 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de la Grande Conche: best June–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de la Palmyre: best July–September, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de la Conche des Baleines, Ile de Re: best July–September, water about 19 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage de Mimizan: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage d Arcachon, Gironde: best June–September, water about 21 degrees C, access easy.
- Plage des Minimes, La Rochelle: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in the French Atlantic coast?
July and August have the warmest water. June and September are quieter, but the Atlantic stays cooler than the Mediterranean.
Which beaches in the French Atlantic coast are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Plage des Dames, Noirmoutier, Lacanau Ocean Beach, Biarritz Grande Plage, Hossegor Lake Beach. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in the French Atlantic coast?
Swim only between the lifeguard flags, as currents can be strong. Cycle paths link many beaches, and a car helps for the wilder dunes.
Best-of lists for the French Atlantic coast
Best Sandy Beaches in the French Atlantic coast · Best Family Beaches in the French Atlantic coast