I find that there is no better pleasure during the holidays than to have access to water, whether for swimming, relaxation or family sports. Some people prefer lakes or rivers, and our beautiful France is very rich in them, others will choose the seaside: iodised air, the cry of seagulls, sandy or pebble beaches, sunsets on the horizon...
Metropolitan France has more than 5,800 km of coastline, including 615 km on the Atlantic Ocean, from the Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Finistère to Spain. We are going to show you some of our favourites, which you will discover at the foot of your campsite, or during a walk.
The most beautiful beaches in south-west France
The Corniche beach, a spectacular family beach at the foot of the Dune du Pilat
Not far from the Arcachon basin, in Gironde, the Corniche beach faces the Arguin bank, a paradise for migratory birds which rest there at low tide. There are two ways to get to the beach: slide down to the bottom of the Dune du Pilat, or take the stairs to Pyla-sur-Mer, to the north of the beach. Fine sand and relaxation await you!
For your next seaside holiday in Gironde, choose from around sixty campsites near the Dune du Pilat.
The beach of Loia Bay, in Hendaye, on the Basque coast: secret and unspoilt
Only accessible by water, if you are lucky enough to have a boat, the bay of Loia (or Loya) is covered in white sand and bathed in turquoise water. Just a stone's throw from Hendaye's main beach, this is the most secret beach in the Atlantic Pyrenees, not least because access by land is... forbidden since 2019! The beach is, in fact, entirely preserved.
Enjoy the beach of the bay of Loia (from a boat?) during your camping holiday in Hendaye.
Miramar beach, Biarritz: elegant and peaceful
Located in the extension of the Grande Plage de Biarritz (the favourite spot of surfers from all over the world), the Miramar beach is frequented by those who love peace and quiet. After a day of swimming and relaxing, admire the sun setting over the Pyrenees in the distance.
For your next camping holiday by the sea in the Basque country, you will find 1 campsite in Biarritz and about forty in the vicinity.
Conche des Baleines beach on the Ile de Ré (Charente-Maritime): Family-friendly and wild
© iStock
Located at the northern tip of the Ile de Ré, close to the famous Phare des Baleines lighthouse, this beach is one of the most beautiful and extensive on the island. Bordered by dunes and protected from urban development, it offers a wild and relaxing setting, perfect for swimming, walking and sandcastles. Easily accessible by bike, it appeals to families and nature lovers alike.
Choose your campsite in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines on the Ile de Ré.
Contis beach in the Landes, for a natural and sporting holiday
The beach at Contis, lined with pine trees and accessible on foot or by bike from the surrounding campsites, is one of the most typical in the Landes. Preserved and vast, it's ideal for surfing, lounging or long walks by the ocean. The black-and-white Contis lighthouse keeps watch over this little corner of the coast, with its wild nature and authentic atmosphere.
Put down your bags at a campsite in Saint-Julien-en-Born or the surrounding area for a nature holiday on the Landes coast.
The most beautiful beaches on the west coast of France in Brittany and the Loire region
Herlin beach, Belle-Île-en-Mer, off the Morbihan coast
Located in Bangor, on the island of Belle-Île-en-mer, at the bottom of an aber (or ria), Herlin beach is bounded by high cliffs and is protected from the wind. This sandy beach is separated in two at high tide by a rocky outcrop. The current can be strong on Herlin beach and swimming is supervised in July and August from 1pm to 7pm.
To get there, you will find a car park with about 100 spaces 400 metres from the beach.
Discover this beach during your holiday in a mobile home by the sea at one of the 10 campsites in Belle-Ile-en-mer and enjoy a real haven of peace surrounded by lush vegetation.
Beach of the Anse des Soux, on the island of Yeu, in the Vendée, ideal for families
Anse des Soux, on the island of Yeu, to the west of the Pointe des Vieilles, is home to a magnificent little beach of fine white sand. Fairly uncrowded and unspoilt, it has remained wild. There is no road or parking nearby, you have to walk a little to reach it and enjoy the idyllic setting and the transparent water.
If you are on a camping holiday on the Ile d'Yeu, make a diversion for a special moment on this beach.
The beach of Ile Vierge, in Finistère, epitomises the fragile beauty of Brittany's coastline
The Ile Vierge cove (which is not an island, but a peninsula located on the Crozon peninsula), also known as Pointe de Saint-Hernot, is one of the most westerly beaches in France. At the foot of the cliffs, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Finistère, with its fine white pebbles and its maritime pine trees. However, you will not be able to relax there: access to the cove has been closed since 2020, as the cliff is crumbling under the effect of erosion... and the footsteps of the (too many) hikers wishing to access the cove.
Discover it during your camping holidays at the sea on the Crozon peninsula
The Grands Sables beach, on the island of Groix, in Brittany
The Grands Sables beach is located on the island of Groix, in the Bay of Biscay, in Morbihan. It is the only convex beach in Europe. This immense and sublime beach of fine white sand and translucent blue water invites you to swim, sunbathe and build sandcastles.
Choose your campsite in Groix for a camping holiday in the Gulf of Morbihan.
La Baule beach in Loire-Atlantique: Elegant and lively
Stretching for almost 9 km, the beach at La Baule is one of the longest in Europe. Bordered by an elegant promenade and Belle Époque villas, it offers a chic, family-friendly atmosphere. It's a lively, historic seaside resort with beach clubs, water sports activities and a strong holiday spirit. An unmissable classic on the Atlantic coast.
Book your stay at a campsite near La Baule-Escoublac to make the most of this iconic seaside resort.
What's the most beautiful place on the Atlantic coast?
There's more to the Atlantic coast than just its beauty. It offers a diversity of landscapes that is rare in France, with giant dunes, forests, endless beaches, authentic villages, cliffs and poetic islands. From the spectacular summit of the Dune du Pilat to the long wild stretches of the Landes, from the oyster huts of Cap Ferret to the white streets of the Ile de Ré, each place has its own character. Further south, the Basque Corniche combines ocean and mountains in a unique setting, while southern Brittany boasts luminous islands such as Belle-Île and Groix, and peaceful bays dotted with small ports. A coastline with many faces, between raw nature and discreet elegance.
Which is the most beautiful seaside resort on the Atlantic coast?
It's hard to pinpoint just one 'most beautiful' seaside resort on the Atlantic coast, as there are so many pearls with so many different charms. From the discreet elegance of Arcachon and La Baule to the bohemian surf style of Hossegor and the Basque authenticity of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, each resort has its own personality. Biarritz captivates visitors with its architecture and spectacular beaches, perfect for water sports activities, while Cap Ferret has a refined, natural feel. Further north, the island of Ré, with its flower-filled villages and fine sandy coastline, embodies a certain idea of chic tranquillity. And in southern Brittany, the Quiberon peninsula, Vannes and the ports of the Golfe du Morbihan combine Breton traditions with a soothing seaside atmosphere. The most beautiful? The one that suits your mood: wild, elegant, sporty or poetic.
Do you like camping by the sea and the Atlantic Ocean?
In all, 2090 campsites are located by the sea in 2025, some of them close to beautiful beaches.
Even better than choosing a campsite by the sea, you can choose a campsite with direct access to the beach on the Atlantic coast, for more comfort of course, and more safety for your family. Choose your destination:
•Campsites with a direct access to the beach in New Aquitaine, and choose Gironde, Pyrénées Atlantiques, Charente-Maritime or Landes!
•Campsites with direct access to the beach in Pays de Loire, between Vendée and Loire-Atlantique, you are spoilt for choice.
•Campsites with direct access to the beach in Brittany, for camping holidays in Morbihan or Finistère