The Best Beach Towns Near Paris

13.09.2024 - 16:44 / cntraveler.com

Paris is the city par excellence, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore some different landscapes on your next trip, too. Ever since the northern coast of France was developed in the 19th century, Parisians have taken to escaping for short breaks beside the sea. The stretch of coastline that takes in Normandy, the Baie de Somme, and Pas-de-Calais is packed with charm and offers something for different kinds of travelers, from keen foodies to intrepid walkers.

In terms of getting there, you have a few different options. By car, you can explore the northern coast of France on your way down to the French capital, following the coast from the ferry terminus—or you could explore these beaches on your way home. If you’re flying or taking a train to Paris, the SNCF network allows you to zip up the coast in no time, meaning you could start the day with a croissant in a Paris café and enjoy just-caught mussels with a view of the beach for lunch.

Here, we take you through the beaches and beach towns near Paris loved by Parisians for weekend jaunts and offer some choice tips on how to choose which one is for you.

It was an Englishman, Sir John Whitely, who first named this land between coast and forest “Paris Plage”, designating it the perfect holiday spot for the well-heeled inhabitants of the capital at the turn of the 20th century. Today it is still a popular resort for Parisians and one of the more built-up towns along the northern coastline, known for its shopping and dining options and buzzy nightlife. Unlike some coastal resorts, it’s still lively in winter, in particular before Christmas when elegant decorations fill the town. The local signature dish is un Welsh (i.e. Welsh rarebit), an homage to the Brits who helped popularize this spot; try the version served at family-run La Chope.

Getting there: The train from Gare du Nord to Etaples le Touquet Train Station takes a little over two hours, with free shuttle buses to the beach on arrival. The town is less than an hour’s drive from Calais.

Outdoorsy types, in particular, will appreciate the rugged beauty of Fort Mahon between the Baie de Somme and the Bay of Authie. It’s known for its impressive stretch of sand dunes and ample hiking trails, including the popular pine-dotted route around the Royon dune. From Fort Mahon, you can also explore Berck-sur-Mer (much more appealing than its name would suggest) on the other side of Authie, where at low tide, you can glimpse the area’s seal colony.

Getting there: The drive to this area takes two to three hours from Paris or around 90 minutes from Calais. By train, the nearest station is Rue (about two hours from Paris), where you can take a bus or taxi to Fort Mahon, which is about 8 miles away.

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