The Mediterranean
The most popular beaches in France for the French and the rest of the world, lie along the gorgeous, azure blue Mediterranean coast. This is a huge long coastline along the south of France, stretching from the Basque country and the Pyrenees to the Italian border and taking in the famous French riviera beaches.
The Western Mediterranean
The western part of the Mediterranean coast is shaped like an arc that starts in the Basque country in the Pyrenees, the mountain range that divides France from Spain just below Perpignan. From the wonderful Cote Vermeille, the region takes in the Herault and cities like Montpellier, the area around the Bouches-du-Rhone, and Nimes, Arles and Avignon then continues around to Marseille. Surrounding Marseilles is the mysterious Camargues area, to the east the naval port of Toulon and the wonderful Iles d’Hyeres.
Getting to the western Mediterranean
Getting to Perpignan
- Information on Travel to Perpignan
- By air: Perpignan airport has indirect international flights and direct flights within Europe and from the U.K.
- By train: Perpignan is served by many train lines, including the TGV line from Paris Garde de Lyon or Austerlizt, taking from 5 hours 3 mins
Getting to Marseille
- By air: Marseille airport has direct domestic, European and international flights. From North America, the airport only serves Montreal and Toronto U.S. citizens will have to fly to Paris then on from there
- By train: Marseille is served by many train lines, including the TGV line from Gare de Lyon, taking from 3 hrs 20 mins.
East Mediterranean
The Riviera, Cote d’Azur, call it what you will, the stretch of the Mediterranean from St. Tropez via the elegant coast towns of Cannes, Antibes and Nice is one long playground and the place for the best known French riviera beaches. But even along this coast, which fills to bursting point in July and August, there are small beaches which you have to search out and can then make your own. Little villages like Villefrance-sur-Mer cling to the coastline. Monaco beckons before the French Riviera beaches finish at conservative, delightful Menton.
Getting to the western Mediterranean
Getting to St. Tropez
- By air: Toulon St. Tropez (18 km, 11.1 miles south west of St Tropez) is served by some domestic routes and some from the U.K.
- By rail: The best route is into Toulon from Paris Gare de Lyon taking from 3 hr. 50 ms.
Getting to Nice
See Guide to Nice for travel information
Check out my Guide to Best Nudist Beaches and Naturist Resorts in France
