Paris draws most travelers with shimmers of history, excitement, impeccable galleries, and museums. Its beaches, however, are a major draw and offer an incredible experience. While France is a top tourist destination in Europe, most visitors pay too much attention to its stunning cities and miss out on the cream of the ultimate fun by being soaked in the beautiful cities. They forget the beaches where so much is awaiting, from sports to idyllic atmosphere to mouth-watering seafood options to eye-catching landscapes. Here are the 10 beaches in France that you’ll skip Paris for.Related: These Beaches In Split Will Have You Booking A Flight ASAP

10 Palombaggia Beach

Located on the South Eastern Coast, Plage de Palombaggia has been nicknamed the Corsican Paradise. The beach has an archetypal ‘Idyllic Bay,' yet it supports numerous water sports and beach activities like paddle-boating, windsurfing, jet-skiing, scuba diving, sun lounging, and parasols. It has sparkling turquoise-hued water, long stretches of sand with umbrella-shaped pines lined up at the edge, and a picturesque pink granite cliff. Restaurants and bars along its bay offer the ultimate Mediterranean vibe.

  • Location: 12 km south of Porto Vecchio on the south-eastern coast of Corsica

9 Pampelonne Beach

The glamorous beach is one of the best beach destinations on the French Riviera. It is vast and spacious, occupying about four and a half Kilometers between Cap du Pinet and Pointe de la Bonne Terrasse. The beach is divided into sections, with each unit named after the hit bar or restaurant. Important to note is that the Tahiti beach on the Northern end is a nudist section. The world-famous strand has grown to a celeb spot in the recent past.

  • Location: 6 km south of Saint-Tropez

8 Prado Beaches In Marseille

Located in France's second-largest city is another beach and seaside park that tops the list when it comes to the most captivating beaches in France. It is a family-friendly picturesque place, and travelers of all budgets are covered. The beach hosts a public park comprising land reclaimed from the sea that features numerous sports and fun activities, including a skate park, climbing walls, first-aid posts, and multiple bars and restaurants for refreshment. Accommodation here is readily available.

7 Plage Paloma

The dreamy swim spot is preferable for sun-bathing and all sorts of water sports, including water-skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, and surfing. The beach has been a favorite spot for many celebrities, including Pablo Picasso, who brought his daughter Paloma on vacation. It is from his daughter that the beach acquired its name. This crescent-shaped sand spot also hosts an Iconic Bar and Restaurant and a picturesque unbeatable view of the Coast for visitors and vacation goers. The beauty is enhanced by sprawling gardens in its backyard.

  • Location: St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

6 L’espiguette Beach

Travelers interested in discovering a picturesque yet affordable family and couples' tight spot should head to this spot. It features an unspoiled sandy stretch occupying about 3kilometers along the Mediterranean Sea southeast of Montpellier. It is preferable for a meditative stroll due to its vastness and secluded feel that makes visitors feel like they are in the middle of nowhere, sand dunes and scrubland in the backyard enhance this feeling and vibe. Le Petit Mazet and l'Oyat-Plage restaurants provide visitors with refreshments and sea-food options.

Related: You Don't Want To Miss These Awesome Beaches in Corfu

5 Deauville Beach

Located just 2 hours from Paris, Deauville Beach is a very classy beach near a stylish city. It has been nicknamed the Parisian Riviera due to its proximity to the French capital. The beach is spotless, classy, and well maintained, being swept every morning. It features a stretch of sand of about 3 Kilometers with a width of about 300 meters bordering a promenade called Les Planches. It offers children’s clubs, bars, Villas, and Hotels with splendid architecture on the seafront.

  • Location: On the Norman Coast

4 La Baule Beach

Located at La Baule-Escoublac in Loire Atlantique, this is one of the most extensive beaches in Europe, covering about 9 kilometers of white sand between Pornichet and Le Pouliguen. It features numerous restaurants, bars, patches of beach clubs, children's playgrounds, and sailing schools, making it reasonably family-friendly and children-friendly for tourists and visitors. It provides a vast space for jogging and strolling bordering a promenade. This makes it an excellent place for photography with the beautiful coastal village in the background.

  • Location: South Brittany

3 The Big Beach In Biarritz

It is located along the Atlantic Coast and is one of France's most beautiful beaches, with a lot to offer visitors. Also referred to as La Grande Plage, it is one of the most famous beaches along the Atlantic Coast. It offers numerous facilities, including beautifully colored parasols, beach tents, casinos, restaurants, beach clubs, and surf schools along the bordering promenade. The 500 meters stretch is divided into a water sports and surfing section and a swimming section.

2 Pointe De Saint-Hernot

The Crozon Peninsula, with brutal scenes and hidden coves, offers the best beaches and a paradise for adventure lovers and hikers. Pointe De Saint-Her not beach features a stunning and attractive stretch of sand edged with beautiful sweet-scented pines surrounding it. Along with its edge is a winding coastal path that takes hikers to the most Southerly point of the Peninsula at Cap de la Chèvre. A Kayak tour helps visitors explore photogenic ocean caves and discover stunning coastal sceneries, including the picturesque port of Camaret.

  • Location: Brittany

1 Lacanau Beach, Aquitaine

Vacation lovers searching for a favorable and accomplished holiday beach near Bordeaux should head to the Lacanau beach in Aquitaine, West Coast of France. There is much to do here for visitors, including water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, wind-surfing, and dining with eye-catching views of the sparkling ocean waters. It offers around 15 Kilometers of pristine white sands, while the bordering coastal town provides a vast collection of beach clubs, restaurants, cafés, and cute souvenir shops. In August, it hosts World’s pro surfer's competition.

  • Best time to visit: August