The best family-friendly beaches in France

Miles of scenic coastline, dotted with sandy coves and long pleasure beaches make France an excellent destination for a family seaside holiday. In order to help you decide where, exactly to top-up your family’s Vitamin D levels, here are the most family-friendly beaches in France, according to international travellers.*

Plage le Bosquet in Portiragnes, Languedoc-Roussillon

Portiragnes is often overlooked by beachgoers, in favour of the better known Sérignan resort. However, the lifeguards, shallow water and gentle currents at Bosquet Beach make it an idyllic place to teach young children how to swim. The beach is backed by woodland, with a special area set up for picnics and plenty of shade for putting babies down for a midday nap. Camping Le Clos de La Grangette has a children’s playground and receives fresh, warm baguettes from the local bakery every morning.

Plage de Miramar in La Londe les Maures, Côte d’Azur

Families are spoilt for choice in La Londe les Maures, where every golden beach has its own, distinctive atmosphere. Plage de Miramar is the best option for active families, thanks to the free parking, shower facilities, easy cycling paths and a seasonal lifeguard. Once you’ve finished exploring, it’s a short walk to Pansard beach; a secluded collection of coves, ringed by a pine forest and with a view of Giens peninsula. Staying at the Argentiere-Club will give you easy access to the popular Argentiere beach, including a boardwalk of bright and family-friendly restaurants.

Plage de Nauzan in Vaux sur Mer, Poitou-Charentes

A classic French seaside resort on the Côte de Beauté; Vaux sur Mer is surrounded by sandy coves and convenient sunbathing spots. For a long day at the beach, families are recommended to make their base at the biggest beach, Plage de Nauzan. This relatively wide stretch of sand is boarded by a promenade, includes a section for water sports and is patrolled by lifeguards throughout the summer months. The luxurious Hôtel Résidence de Rohan is less than 1-minute walk from Nauzan and, for the odd rainy day, there is an extensive collection of kid-friendly DVDs and books.

Plage de la Grande Escoure in Lacanau, Aquitaine

The lakeside Plage de la Grande Escoure is well-suited for a beach holiday with toddlers. This Lacanau beach has all the facilities of a typical French seaside resort – lifeguards, cafés, showers – but without the danger of strong currants or exposure to harsh sea winds. A stay at Chez Augustin includes free bike rental, cycling tours, genial hosts and the comfort of knowing that there are baby gates throughout the property. Suitably rested from the Chez Augustin spa, parents can enjoy paddling with babies in the shallows, followed by a glass of something cool at one of the lakeside restaurants.

Plage du Midi in Golfe-Juan, Côte d’Azur

A palm-fringed curve of sun-baked sand on the Côte d’Azur – the Plage du Midi has everything you could hope for from a French seaside holiday. As kids go racing up and down the beach or straight into the sea – under the eyes of vigilant lifeguards – parents can stretch out in the shade of a gigantic parasol, or take the whole family down to the harbour to admire the mix of fishing boats and pleasure yachts over ice-cream and café au lait. Eden Azur is a 6-minute walk from the beach and is one of the most highly rated family hotels in Golfe-Juan.

**These beaches were the most highly rated ‘beaches for kids’ in France, according to people travelling with Booking.com.