Paris in springtime is very romantic, but Paris in summer? It's a heatwave! Not that you can't stay comfortable in the French capital during the hottest time of the year, it's just that you're better off cooling off on the nearby beaches. And yes, if you venture off a few kilometers or miles away, you can enjoy some sand and sea. They're your nearest escape if you want to cool off on a coast. And though they're not exactly the
French Riviera, Dieppe beach, Omaha beach, and many more will cool you off plenty!
Butin Beach
How do you know Butin Beach is near Paris? It's actually connected to the Seine River! So while you see it every day in the French capital, little did you know that the water flows to one of the most paradisiacal beaches in France. And what a shoreline it is! Think white sands, calm blue waters, and lots of sunshine. You never would've thought that such a dreamy escape was located near one of the busiest cities in the world!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Eugénie Peigné
Deauville Beach
When you see a bright, white shoreline decorated with colorful umbrellas, you should know that it's Deauville Beach. It's the coast of Normandy, a region that's only a three-hour drive away from Paris. If you want to travel here via
public transport, your ticket only costs €15.00! Pretty steep compared to the fares in the city but when you discover this amazing paradise, you'll even feel like you ought to have paid more! Swim to your heart's content here on Deauville Beach!
Source: Depositephotos
Dieppe
Dieppe is probably the most famous among the many beaches by Paris. Firstly, it's the closest to the French capital. You'll only have to travel 170 kilometers from the city to get to this shoreline. Of course, if you got a
luxury home near the area, you won't have to travel that far at all. Secondly, this scenic coast serves as a great escape from all the hustle and bustle of Paris. Instead of tall skyscrapers and grand palaces, Dieppe Beach offers beautiful waves and stunning high cliffs.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Florian Pépellin
Etretat Beach
If you don't mind a pebbly beach near Paris, you'll have no trouble enjoying time on Etretat Beach. While this shoreline might look so white, you can already feel how soft the sand is at first glance, don't be fooled. What you're actually seeing is a long stretch of pebbles as far as the eye can see. Of course, if you wear
aqua shoes, you can still spend some time here. However, it's the photographers and
Instagram influencers that truly benefit from visiting the place. The snapshots you'll take here are second to none!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Granville Beach
The
Normandy region has a ton of great beaches where you can get your much-needed dose of '
vitamin sea' during summer. Granville Beach serves as a great example. Located on the western side of the French capital, it's among the most popular beaches near Paris. Why wouldn't people travel here often if they can absorb its natural beauty, splash around in its turquoise waters, and even indulge in some Mediterranean seafood! There are lots to do and enjoy here on Granville Beach!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Mattana
Les Calanques de Cassis
The Paris beaches listed so far have all looked pretty similar. They're mostly white sand or pebble beaches lined with high cliffs, historic structures, and more. But are those what the beaches in Paris all about? No! Les Calanques de Cassis proves otherwise. Looking more like a coastline in Phuket, Thailand, this French beach is as exotic as they come! The sandy shore is pretty small compared to the other beaches on this list, sure, but the sea itself is pretty spectacular!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Michal Osmenda
Omaha Beach
Shallow hills, a bright pebbly shoreline, and gradient blue-to-turquoise waters. These are just some of what makes Omaha Beach such a picturesque place. Cooling off on one of the beaches by Paris doesn't have to mean swimming and splashing about. You can also enjoy the sea breezes if you hang out by the coast, especially if it's Omaha Beach. Instead of drawing you into the waters, this magnificently beautiful beach will have you taking as many pictures as you can instead!
Source: Flickr.com/ Henk Bekker
Plage de Cabourg
Want to cool off with the entire family? You can always head on over to Plage de Cabourg! Located only less than three hours away (by car) from the French capital, it's one of those Paris beaches that locals often visit around summer. It helps that there are many beach clubs around, a lovely promenade where you can hang out, and lifeguards on duty who ensure everyone's safety. Enjoying a lovely day trip here would sound like a great idea!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Daniel VILLAFRUELA
Plage Le Crotoy
Since Plage Le Crotoy is only two hours away by train and three hours by car, this is another beach near Paris worth visiting in summer! Most especially since out of all the beaches of Paris listed so far, this is the one that boasts a soft, sandy shoreline. It's not the whitest coast out there, but at least you don't have to wear aqua shoes to get into the water. And as long as you put on some
sunscreen, you can easily lie on the sand and spend the entire day sunbathing!
Source: © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Prado Beach
And finally, there's Prado Beach! This one is a bit farther away since it's located in the Marseilles region. It will take you eight hours if you travel by car. But you know what? All your efforts to reach this place wouldn't be in vain! Prado Beach is exceptionally beautiful, extremely sunny, and offers up amazing views. It's located along the French Riviera, after all. This fact alone should tell you that it's a great summer destination!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Ximonic
As summer heats things up in Paris, you'll need somewhere to cool off! The French capital isn't exactly the best place to spend summer if you're not a fan of the heat so why not cool off on the nearby Paris beaches? These are beautiful paradises you won't want to miss!
