As beautiful of a city as
Paris is, it isn't exactly the first destination that comes to mind when you think about summer. Spring or autumn, maybe, but summer? You're better off getting a tan on the French Riviera or cooling off in the French Alps. But if you've already moved to Paris and you can't go too far for all sorts of reasons, there's no need to fret! There are still many beautiful beaches near Paris and you can go to any of them for a lovely day trip. Plage De La Côte Des Basques is often a major favorite among Parisians, especially with its jewel-tone waves. Normandy's Deauville and Etretat shorelines are great too!
Plage Le Crotoy
Plage Le Crotoy is one of the nearest beaches to Paris. It'll only take two hours for you to get there. Just head to the famous Gare du Nord in the
10th arrondissement and take the TER line to get to Noyelles-sur-Mer, where the beach is nearby. As far as beaches go, however, don't expect the
French Riviera here. Plage Le Crotoy has a sunny shoreline, but it's not the kind of lively beach that the Mediterranean is known for. In a way, this makes it better as the peaceful ambiance will let you relax better.
Source: Flickr.com/ isamiga76
Deauville Beach
The northern region of Normandy is famous for both its beautiful beaches and close proximity to Paris. It's not that hard to choose
Normandy as your destination for a
day trip from Paris. And if you do, you'll want to visit places like Deauville Beach. A white sandy shoreline dotted with colorful beach umbrellas, this is perhaps the most famous seaside resort near Paris. It was even the go-to beach for the city's elites back then before the French Riviera took over. Today, Deauville Beach remains a warm destination that's perfect for cooling off during the peak of summer.
Source: Flickr.com/ Dennis Jarvis
Le Touquet
Le Touquet is another seaside resort where middle-class Parisians retreat every summer. The beach itself is a beautiful destination with soft, white sands and calm waters. This is the type of shoreline where you can swim and splash around, get a good tan, and have a good time. And when you tire of the beach, you can always go to the various hotspots nearby. The commune is filled with fun establishments to excite tourists, ranging from casinos to bars and everything in between. If you want, you can even ride horses nearby too.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ AntonyB
Plage d' Étretat
Plage d' Étretat is so majestic, you almost couldn't believe that it's one of the beaches near Paris. This is the type of seaside destination you'd expect on the French Riviera or even among the Greek Islands. But nope! The stunning shoreline is in Étretat, a charming commune off the northern coast of France, only a three-hour drive away from Paris. Its chalk cliffs and jewel-tone waters make it a postcard-worth beach, the kind you'd expect to see in movies or
travel inspo Instagram accounts. Here, you can feel like you're in a world of your own, one that's practically heaven!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zairon
Plage De La Côte Des Basques
Biarritz is another city that the rich and famous once loved back in the day. From
La Belle Époque to the Roaring Twenties, Parisians loved to escape to Biarritz to cool off during summer. And their beach of choice? Plage De La Côte Des Basques! This electric shoreline is famous for its white sands and crashing waves. It's a great place to swim, snorkel, and of course, surf! At the same time, the beach is lined with various fascinating spots too, including a few breathtaking coastal châteaux. Simply put, there's a lot to look forward to on this beautiful beach near Paris!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Rundvald
Les Calanques De Cassis
Marseille may be one of the most popular towns on the French Riviera, but it's not too far from Paris. It'll only take you around a three-and-a-half-hour train ride from the French capital, making it the perfect place to enjoy a short vacation from the city. Naturally, if you're in Marseille for vacation, you'll want to spend as much time at the beach as possible, right? Hence, you'll want to go to Les Calanques De Cassis, arguably the
best beach on the French Riviera. It's a hidden cove-like retreat with glowing jewel-tone waters surrounded by majestic chalk cliffs. It will take your breath away!
Source: Flickr.com/ Panvert Jimmy
Prado Beach
Finally, there's Prado Beach, the largest in Marseille. Possibly the most famous shoreline on this list, this is the quintessential French Riviera beach. It's a long stretch of white sand, clear turquoise waters, and bright sun. It's not too hard to cool off here, especially since the sea is calmer compared to other seaside spots on the Riviera. You just have to be strategic with when you go here though, as the beach is so popular that it's often crowded. You'll want to go here when it's not the peak of tourism in Marseille, which is usually from May to August.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Ximonic, Simo Räsänen.
Since summer is around the corner, it's time to plan out your vacation. If you're living in the French capital, check out these beautiful beaches near Paris. You can go on a day trip or a small getaway to any of these amazing destinations.
