The OTHER French Riviera: Who needs the Med when you can head west to the unspoiled Atlantic coast? 

The OTHER French Riviera: Who needs the Med when you can head west to the unspoiled Atlantic coast? 


From Brittany in the north to the Spanish border in the south, there are miles of charming spots to uncover on the Atlantic coastline in France. 

The sea may perhaps be rough, but there are a good deal of sheltered coves and bays to prevent the swells. 

We’ve trawled from top rated to bottom to discover ten of the best getaway places, with economical destinations to remain and sights that only the tremendous-rich encounter somewhere else.

Tranquil Brittany

Vive la distinction: A seaside in the Brittany resort of Morgat, on the Crozon peninsula’s rugged coastline  

The Crozon peninsula, on western Brittany’s rugged shoreline, wraps protectively about the resort of Morgat, retaining the Atlantic swell from its mile of soft-sand Blue Flag seashore.

Initially a sardine port, the village has developed into a energetic seaside haven with great swimming and watersports, all achieved by a short coastal path. Be a part of one particular of the tiny boat cruises and check out the sea caves dotted underneath the cliffs, or use a kayak and paddle there oneself.

Good to know: The GR34 coastal route passes via Morgat, so it’s simple to wander a workable portion. Try out the six-mile route to Cap de la Chevre by means of Fort Kador.

Wherever to continue to be: Lodge de la Baie is ideal on the seaside. Upgrade for a sea look at, or book one of the flats. Doubles charge from £59 (previthal.com).

Vendee Experience

Veillon beach, pictured, is in the Vendee region and is a favourite with both families and watersports fans

Veillon beach front, pictured, is in the Vendee region and is a favorite with both of those people and watersports fans 

In the Vendee region just north of La Rochelle, the swirling Payre estuary is stopped in its tracks by a very long, curving sand dune backed by pine woods.

Pick among the lagoon and the open sea at Veillon seaside. People with smaller little ones can stick to the inlet and rock swimming pools, when watersports followers will appreciate the very long, rolling waves, surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking.

Good to know: It is a 20-moment travel to Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, famed for its medieval castle, Chateau de Talmont, a previous dwelling of Richard the Lionheart.

In which to continue to be: Adhere to the route by way of the pines to obtain Les Jardins de l’Atlantique, a present day three-star resort with indoor and outside swimming pools and a spa. B&B doubles expense from £74 (jardins-atlantique.com).

Previous-fashioned allure

Benodet, pictured, is on Brittany's southern coast and has a classic seaside charm

Benodet, pictured, is on Brittany’s southern coastline and has a common seaside charm 

There is a pleasant excitement about Benodet, on Brittany’s southern coastline, which has a classic seaside appeal as effectively as currently being one particular of the region’s much more energetic resorts.

At the position in which the River Odet reaches the sea, you’ll discover a extensive, sandy beach backed by a pine-shaded promenade, cafe terraces and even a casino. When you’re not using boat trips together the river, enterprise out to the tiny Glenan islands, just ten miles off the coastline.

Good to know: Just across the Odet at Sainte-Marine, Michelin-starred Villa Tri Gentlemen serves seafood dishes from an enviable area on the clifftop.

Wherever to continue to be: Reverse the seaside, Relais Thalasso has a spa with a seawater pool, hot tub and saunas. Doubles from £104 (relaisthalasso.com).

Romantic Biscay

One of the beaches on Ile de Noirmoutier in the Bay of Biscay. It has around 25 miles of sandy stretches squeezed into its quirky shape

One particular of the beaches on Ile de Noirmoutier in the Bay of Biscay. It has about 25 miles of sandy stretches squeezed into its quirky condition

Linked to the mainland by a bridge, Ile de Noirmoutier, in the Bay of Biscay, has all around 25 miles of shorelines squeezed into its quirky condition. 

Just one of the most delightful is Plage des Dames, on its north-japanese side. It’s bookended by rocks, with a row of white seashore huts and a boardwalk that juts out into the sea.

Superior to know: Take a day excursion aboard a 1916 galleon to close by Pilier Island (from £51, oabandonado.com).

In which to keep: A 5-minute walk from the beach is Hotel Restaurant Les Prateaux, a cottage established in massive gardens. Doubles from £84 (lesprateaux.com).

Chic Ile de Re

The island of Ile de Re is accessible via a toll bridge from La Rochelle. Pictured is a shop in Le Bois-Plage-en-Re on the island

The island of Ile de Re is obtainable by using a toll bridge from La Rochelle. Pictured is a shop in Le Bois-Plage-en-Re on the island

Handful of French islands do scruffy-chic as easily as Ile de Re, available through a toll bridge from La Rochelle.

When you are not checking out its community of cycle paths or stopping at smaller oyster shacks for treats, you are stretching out on the southern coast seashores. A business favourite is Le Bois-Plage. Acquire picnic materials at the included marketplace right before watching the windsurfers in motion.

Very good to know: Not far from the beach front is a wine co-operative that delivers free of charge tours and tastings all calendar year round (vigneronsiledere.com)

In which to continue to be: On the edge of the island’s capital, St Martin, is dreamy Le Clos Saint-Martin, with two out of doors swimming pools and a Clarins spa. Doubles from £179 (le-clos-saint-martin.com).

Truly regal resort

Biarritz, pictured, is an easygoing, elegant town, which has been a favourite with European royalty since the 19th century

Biarritz, pictured, is an easygoing, sophisticated city, which has been a favorite with European royalty because the 19th century  

Biarritz’s huge surfing community adds an easygoing environment to this sophisticated city, a favourite with European royalty due to the fact the 19th century.

If you want a alter of scene from the chaotic Grande Plage, find a place on its much more tranquil neighbour, Plage du Miramar, which follows the sandy shore toward the lighthouse.

Fantastic to know: It was Napoleon’s nephew, Napoleon III, who created the vacation resort trendy, holidaying there every single summertime for much more than a ten years and even making a villa.

In which to continue to be: Formed like an ocean liner, 5-star Lodge Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar has its have private entrance to Miramar beach front. Doubles cost from £135 (sofitel.accorhotels.com).

Europe’s tallest dune

Grande Dune du Pilat, pictured, is Europe's tallest sand dune, rising about 350ft above sea level. It can be found an hour west of Bordeaux in Arcachon Bay

Grande Dune du Pilat, pictured, is Europe’s tallest sand dune, soaring about 350ft above sea amount. It can be found an hour west of Bordeaux in Arcachon Bay 

Grande Dune du Pilat, an hour west of Bordeaux in Arcachon Bay, is one of the Atlantic coast’s best sights — Europe’s tallest sand dune, climbing about 350 ft previously mentioned sea amount and surrounded by pine forests and the ocean. The sights from the prime are wonderful.

From the vehicle park at the northern close of the dune, climb the white picket stairs to the major prior to scrambling back again to the beach.

Superior to know: If you would like a bird’s-eye watch, take a 15-minute tandem paraglide about the dunes with Sud-Ouest Parapente (from £51, sud-ouest-parapente.fr).

Where by to stay: French designer Philippe Starck’s chichi La Co(o)rniche resort is in an enviable location dealing with the dune, though the pool overlooks the ocean. Doubles value from £330 (lacoorniche-pyla.com).

Cote d’Argent Sands

Mimizan Plage, pictured, is within the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park. It is popular with jetskiers and kitesurfers

Mimizan Plage, pictured, is in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Normal Park. It is well known with jetskiers and kitesurfers

Mimizan Plage, inside the Landes de Gascogne Regional Normal Park, kicks off the Cote d’Argent, a seemingly endless extend of sandy seashores that are never crowded.

Surfers, jetskiers and kitesurfers are in their factor below. Stick to the cycle paths inland to tranquil Lake Aureilhan, wherever you can test paddleboarding or have some entertaining in a Hawaiian-fashion canoe.

Good to know: A poet named Maurice Martin named the place ‘the Pearl of the Silver Coast’ soon after discovering it in 1905.

Exactly where to continue to be: L’Emeraude des Bois is a spouse and children-run, two-star lodge subsequent to the tiny Mimizan river. It gives bicycle employ and a treehouse that you can lease. Doubles value from £50 (emeraudedesbois.com).

Breton buzz

The Quiberon peninsula, which dangles from the Breton coast, has a wild western coastline

The Quiberon peninsula, which dangles from the Breton coastline, has a wild western shoreline

Dangling from the Breton coastline, the peninsula Quiberon has a big, crescent-formed seaside, a buzzing promenade and a golf system — as well as you can take working day excursions to the island of Belle-Ile.

For a enjoyable swim, stick to the primary seashore, Grande Plage, but for anything a tiny extra bracing, take a look at the wilder western coastline. Referred to as the Cote Sauvage, it has deserted beach locations, smaller coves and picturesque walks.

Fantastic to know: Monet captured the attractiveness of Belle-Ile through a ten-7 days continue to be in the 19th century.

Wherever to remain: Hotel La Petite Sirene has two shorelines within just a number of minutes’ stroll. Doubles cost from £42, with sea-see rooms from £67 (hotel-lapetitesirene.fr).

Basque Magnificence

The fishing village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, pictured, is in the Basque country, just before the Spanish border

The fishing village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, pictured, is in the Basque place, just ahead of the Spanish border 

Just in advance of the Spanish border is the fishing village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in the Basque place, with a broad sandy beach front that sits snugly involving the harbour arms.

It is 1 of the prettiest spots on the coastline, with normally Basque pink-and-white, half-timbered properties lining the seafront and the Pyrenees looming near.

Great to know: Louis the Fantastic married his 1st cousin, Maria Theresa, in the church of St John the Baptist in the 17th century.

Where to stay: Hotel de la Plage has balcony rooms with pretty sea sights. Doubles price tag from £84 (hoteldelaplage.com).

A map showing ten of the best holiday spots that can be found on the Atlantic coast of France

A map demonstrating 10 of the finest holiday getaway spots that can be observed on the Atlantic coast of France

 



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