The best beaches near Paris include tranquil, rugged beauties, Instagram favourites and family-friendly urban havens only a few hours’ drive from the City of Light. Situated in quaint seaside towns and villages with picturesque promenades and charming cafes, these beaches offer cool seaside ambience and are the perfect weekend escapes on hot summer days.
Here you can enjoy refreshing waves, invigorating sea breezes and exciting water sports. Colder seasons welcome you to explore tranquil beaches. Most of these beaches have modern amenities and are safe for swimming but do pay attention to the tide times as tidal currents can be strong. Are you ready to say ‘à bientôt’ to Paris and ‘bonjour’ to sun-filled days on sandy shores?
Perfect for family fun and ferry spotting
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto, Econômico
Calais might be best known for its port and lace, Rodin’s famous sculpture and the Channel Tunnel, but it also boasts the wonderful Calais beach. Locals flock to this sandy urban oasis to enjoy a glorious day in the sun, swimming or just strolling by the water. For kids, there’s a huge playground, a mini golf course and a skatepark.
The jetty by the beach is the best place to watch the ferries crossing the Channel. It’s also a popular spot among anglers and for taking stunning photos. On a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the White Cliffs of Dover. It takes about 4 hours to reach Calais beach by car or public transport from Paris.
Localização: 123 Digue Gaston Berthe, 62100 Calais, France
Calais beach
From D-day landings to historic landmarks
Ideal para: História, Econômico
A walk along the Normandy beaches transports you back to history, to the turning point of World War II. Today these beaches are peaceful stretches of coastline and popular among history buffs and beach goers alike.
The Omaha Beach Memorial is a powerful tribute to the American soldiers who perished on D-Day. To learn about D-Day landings on Gold Beach, visit Musée du Débarquement in the nearby Arromanches-les-Bains. Utah Beach boasts beautiful views, a wide stretch of sand and grassy dunes. Juno Beach has resort atmosphere with cafes, restaurants and beachside amenities. The tranquil Sword Beach offers relaxed beach town vibes. While not a D-Day landing beach, Saint-Honorine-des-Pertes Beach is worth a visit for its rugged beauty.
Normandy beaches
Heaven for water sports enthusiasts
Ideal para: Foto, Aventura, Econômico
The gorgeous Asnelles beach is located on the Calvados coast, 3.5 hours from Paris by car, so it’s perfect for a weekend getaway from the big city. Asnelles beach has ample parking space and it’s accessible during high tide, which makes it a firm favourite among families. At low tide, you can walk several kilometres to the neighbouring villages without leaving the sandy shores.
If you’re into water sports, you can try your hand at kayaking, windsurfing and deep-sea diving. Or why not get adventurous and give land sailing a go? Sand dunes surround the beach creating a peaceful haven for your day in the sun. Here you can also enjoy fantastic views of the Arromanches les Bains region.
Localização: 7 Av. de la Libération, 14960 Asnelles, France
Asnelles beach
Wild pebble beach with dramatic views
Ideal para: Econômico, Viagens alternativas, Foto
The Valleuse d’Etigue beach is a true natural gem if you’re looking for a secluded beach and don’t mind bringing your lunch with you. There are no amenities here, but lots of peace and quiet, breathtaking views, tall cliffs and exciting caves to explore.
This rugged beauty, wedged between Bénouville and Vattetot sur Mer, is a popular shore fishing spot and a favourite among hikers. There’s a trekking path that leads all the way to Yport and your furry friends are also welcome if you keep them on a lead. You can reach Valleuse d’Etigue beach from Paris in less than 4 hours by car or in 4.5 hours by public transport.
Localização: 76790 Les Loges, France
Valleuse d'Etigue beach
A family-friendly pebble beach
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico, História
The action-packed Dieppe Beach in Normandy features a variety of activities that will keep the entire family entertained. For water sports enthusiasts, Dieppe Beach offers sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding. You can also opt for a boat trip along the picturesque coast. The beach shelves gently into the water and is perfect for swimming, paddling and playing beach games. Sun loungers, beach huts, showers and toilets are available.
If you’re travelling with young children, this versatile beach boasts a large children’s playground, a miniature golf course and pedal cars. Your teenagers will love cruising down the promenade with their rollerblades, skateboards or kick scooters. You can reach Dieppe in 2.5 hours by car or public transport from Paris.
Localização: 6 Bd Maréchal Foch, 76200 Dieppe, France
Dieppe Beach, Normandy
A less crowded, wild tidal beach near Honfleur
Ideal para: Econômico, Foto
Plage de Pennedepie in Normandy is a natural beauty and a true hidden gem as it’s accessible only at low tide. You’ll find the perfect, secluded spot for an idyllic and tranquil escape from city life. The beach has no amenities, but with a well-stocked picnic basket, you can easily spend a day here swimming, beachcombing and exploring the tide pools. You can access the beach on foot via Rue de la Mer or by car through Cricqueboeuf.
While in Pennedepie, visit the Bois du Breuil and explore these rare coastline forests. You’ll discover maritime pines, beech trees planted in 1850, naturalised rhododendrons and much more. It takes about a 2.5-hour drive to reach Pennedepie from Paris.
Localização: Chem. de la Mer, 14600 Pennedepie, France
Plage de Pennedepie, Normandy
Fine sand as far as the eye can see
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico
Berck Beach, Hauts-de-France boasts 12 km of pristine sands, gorgeous sand dunes and a whole host of beach activities. It’s perfect for long walks, building sandcastles and playing beach volleyball. The gentle waves and shallow waters make it ideal for swimmers of all ages. Berck Beach is a haven for the adrenaline junkies. Due to the wind conditions, it’s a popular spot for kitesurfing, sand yachting and windsurfing. Toilets and showers are also available.
There are 2 beachfront promenades where you’ll find cafes and restaurants, lovely spots to take in the beautiful views and simply watch the world go by with an ice cream in your hand. Berck is about a 3-hour drive from Paris.
Localização: Esp. Parmentier, 62600 Berck, France
Berck Beach, Hauts-de-France
Laid-back, white pebble beach with emerald-green waters
Ideal para: Foto, Econômico
The chic Étretat is best known for its stunning cliffs and rock formations, but during summer, the star attraction here is the Étretat beach. This gorgeous beach is an Instagram favourite and perfect for lounging in the sun, swimming or trying to catch crabs in the rockpools at the foot of the cliffs. There are even organised nature tours to explore the beach during low tide.
Reaching Étretat is a 3.5-hour journey by car or public transport. In summer, this popular beach gets busy with fun events to experience every day. If you’re travelling outside the high season and aren’t afraid to embrace chillier conditions, you’ll have this stunning beach almost all to yourself.
Localização: 1 Pl. Victor Hugo, 76790 Étretat, France
Étretat beach
Romantic sunsets, birdlife and sandcastles
Ideal para: Econômico, Casais, Foto
Unlike many other beaches in northern France, the unique Crotoy Beach, Hauts-de-France faces directly south, making it a sun-seeker’s paradise. At low tide, you can enjoy the sun on the fine sand, join sandcastle-building competitions and explore the marine life in the tide pools.
At high tide, the beach disappears but luckily Crotoy offers other interesting activities, such as discovering the picturesque Crotoy town and birdwatching. You can spot redshanks, oystercatchers and gannets, among many others. Famous painters such as Sisley and Seurat captured Crotoy’s mesmerising sunset on canvas. You can use your camera to share the amazing hues of pink, orange and red with your loved ones. You’ll reach Crotoy in 3 hours from Paris by car.
Localização: 420 Prom. Jules Noiret, 80550 Le Crotoy, France
Crotoy Beach, Hauts-de-France
Relaxation, history and a charming resort atmosphere
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico, História
The popular Plage de Malo-les-Bains boasts a wide stretch of sandy beach and plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the fresh sea air. The calm waters at low tide are ideal for children to play safely and there’s room for games and activities. You’ll also find beach huts, toilets and showers to make your beach day comfortable.
The seaside resort town itself has picturesque Belle Epoque villas and a vibrant arts scene. For history buffs, there are memorials and remnants of the wartime events scattered throughout the area. The nearby Dunkirk Museum offers a deeper dive into Dunkirk history. It takes about 3.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours by public transport to reach Malo-les-Bains.
Localização: Digue de Mer, 59240 Dunkerque, France
Plage de Malo-les-Bains, Hauts-de-France
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