FRANCE'S BEST BEACHES ❘ THE TOP TEN
This image and below: Pretty chalets line the beach at Gruissan, known by film lovers as the setting for Betty Blue; Berck-sur-Mer is the host of the biggest kite festival in Europe
beware though – there is no shade and nowhere to buy water, so make sure
you come prepared. •
www.marseille-tourisme.com/en;
provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en
5. A COLOURFUL PLAYGROUND BERCK-SUR-MER, PAS-DE-CALAIS (HAUTS-DE-FRANCE) With sections in both the Pas-de-Calais and Nord departments, the Côte d’Opale includes some household names for Francophiles, including Boulogne-sur-
Mer, Calais and Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, as well as Gravelines, Malo-les-Bains and Montreuil-sur-Mer. In March this year, the stretch of coast stormed to fi rst prize in a ‘favourite destination’ poll by the leading radio station RTL, claiming 31% of almost 40,000 votes. Its beachy gem is the 12km-long one at Berck-sur- Mer, site of the country’s leading kite festival, picture-perfect pastel-coloured cabins and a truly family feel. Got tiny tots in tow? There is even a baby changing area, microwave, refrigerator
and beach games. •
www.berck-tourisme.com/en;
www.visitpasdecalais.com
6. ISLAND PARADISE LA PLAGE DE RONDINARA (CORSICA) The fi rst of two beautiful Corsican beaches in our round-up – any number could have been picked, since the Mediterranean island is truly blessed in the perfect plage department. Rondinara is located between Porto- Vecchio (20 minutes by car) and
Bonifacio in the south of the island, and an aerial view reveals a horseshoe- shaped loop of golden yellow framing inviting pale blue/green shallows, reddish rocks and pine trees. Up close, this is like paradise on earth. As such, it is wildly popular so a visit just off-season or out of school holidays is recommended – when it’s still warm but without the bustle. There’s an excellent
fi sh restaurant, kayak hire and more. •
www.bonifacio.co.uk;
www.visit-corsica.com/en
7. PROPRE PLAGE GRUISSAN, AUDE (OCCITANIE) This former fi shing village showcases traditional Languedoc Mediterranean architecture, and is well loved as a superb seaside resort where all kinds of nautical activities abound: families will love the gorgeous sandy beaches (featuring iconic wooden chalets on stilts, built in the early 20th century by merchants and wine makers), while
❯❯ The white sands and azure waters of Rondinara beach in Corsica
“THIS SLITHER OF SPARKLING TURQUOISE SEA CUTTING THROUGH HIGH WHITE CLIFFS IS BREATHTAKING”
Jun/Jul 2023 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 67
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