The 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Where to Find Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s Best Places to Swim and Get Some Sun
<p>Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s pristine beaches are among the most picturesque you can find along the Bay of Biscay. With only a few exceptions, there are long stretches of sand where you can relax without worrying about being too close to the next person’s towel.</p><p>In summer they usually have lifeguards, and families with children can enjoy all the facilities, which usually include toilets. Lots of beaches in Nouvelle-Aquitaine are also accessible for people with disabilities. Discover the most beautiful beaches in Nouvelle-Aquitane.</p>
1. The Côte des Basques beach in Biarritz
A stunning beach in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Good for: Couples, Families, History
<p>The Côte des Basques beach is located in a cove, well-sheltered from the wind and waves. It’s a non-smoking beach, so even better for families with children. If you walk along the rocks a little you’ll find a diving platform that can be used when the tide is high.</p><p>There are restaurants close by, as well as changing facilities. From the beach there is a good view of Biarritz’s famous Rock of the Virgin (Rocher de la Vierge), a natural rocky outcrop topped, as you might guess, by a statue of the Virgin Mary.</p>
Location: 64200 Biarritz, France
The Côte des Basques beach in Biarritz
2. The Bourdaines beach in Seignosse
A huge beach with plenty to do
Good for: Budget, Food, Photo
<p>Bourdaines beach is near the seaside town of Seignosse in Les Landes. This sizable beach is calm and not overcrowded, even in the summer. There’s plenty to do, including surf schools and a bar restaurant, alongside other facilities like toilets, showers, and a first aid post.</p><p>The beach has lifeguards during the summer season and serves as a popular location for picnics. There’s a path from the free car park, making this large, sandy, and sunny beach easy to get to.</p>
Location: 40510 Seignosse, France
The Bourdaines beach in Seignosse
3. The Chênes Lièges beach in Moliets-et-Maa
A picturesque beach your whole tribe will love
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
<p>Chênes Lièges beach is a lovely sandy beach near Lake Hossegor at Moliets-et-Maa in Landes. There are lifeguards on Chênes Lièges beach during the afternoons in July and August.</p><p>It’s not as easy to get to as the main beach at Moliets but it’s also less popular, so great if you want to avoid the summer crowds. Although this beach is wilder and more protected, being close to local forests, there is a convenient path leading to it that’s ideal for a short hike. It’s even close to the town’s golf course.</p>
Location: 40660 Moliets-et-Maa, France
The Chênes Lièges beach in Moliets-et-Maa
4. The Deux-Jumeaux beach in Hendaye
A beach for all beach lovers
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
<p>Deux-Jumeaux beach is in the northern part of the seaside town of Hendaye, close to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This enormous sandy beach is great for families because it has life guards in the summer. The beach has disabled access, known as Handiplage in French, and has lots of extra equipment to make it easier to use for people with reduced mobility, including an access ramp.</p><p>Why is it called the beach of the two twins? Because of the two large rocks you can which are visible from the shore. Which is handy, because it helps you to remember that this end of the beach is reserved for nudists.</p>
Location: 64700 Hendaye, France
The Deux-Jumeaux beach in Hendaye
5. The Lette Blanche beach in Vielle-Saint-Girons
A wild beach on the edge of the Landes forest
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
<p>Lette Blanche beach is probably the wildest and best-preserved beach on the Landes coast. If you like going to the beach with the children and spending some time on the sand while they’re swimming in the sea, it’s good to know that this beach has life guards in July and August.</p><p>If you feel like a change, there are plenty of hiking opportunities in the nearby forest. If you’re traveling with your dog, the good news is that dogs on leads are allowed, although they’re not to go in the water. The beach has toilets and showers, as well as disabled access.</p>
Location: 40560 Vielle-Saint-Girons, France
The Lette Blanche beach in Vielle-Saint-Girons
6. The beaches in Mimizan
The pearl of the Côte d’Argent
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
<p>Come get to know the ocean at Mimizan. This seaside town is one of the largest along the Côte d’Argent and has 9 different beaches. Whether it’s Plage Nord or Plage Sud, Plage Remember, Plage des Ailes, or Plage de l’Espécier, there’s plenty to choose from.</p><p>Plage de l’Espécier, near the village of Bias and 3 miles south of Mimizan itself, is the wildest and least frequented, so it’s great if you just want to relax in the calm. The beach has lifeguards during the summer season as well as disabled access.</p>
Location: 40200 Mimizan, France
The beaches in Mimizan
7. The Pereire beach in Arcachon
A vast sandy stretch to enjoy doing nothing
Good for: Budget, Couples, Photo
<p>Pereire beach is a 2-mile stretch of sand, making it the longest beach in Arcachon. It’s also one of the nicest, because it’s lined with pine trees and grass, giving it a really calm feel. There’s also a pleasant, shaded promenade along with a cycle path.</p><p>From the beach, there is a fabulous view of the Cap Ferret peninsula. It’s a great choice for families with children because, as well lifeguards in summer, there are showers and toilets, with free car parking nearby.</p>
Location: 33120 Arcachon, France
The Pereire beach in Arcachon
8. The Navarrosse beach in Biscarrosse
A truly family-friendly beach
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
<p>Navarrosse beach, on the shore of Étang de Cazaux et de Sanguinet, is perfect for families with young children on vacation in Landes. This beach is a little different, being located on a lake, and so the water is shallow. It’s ideal for paddling, and also features a lifeguard.</p><p>Because the water is shallower than the ocean it is also warmer, usually between 75 °F and 82 °F. The beach is lined with pine trees that offer cool shade on hot summer days, along with great places for a picnic. There are several paid car parks nearby.</p>
Location: 40600 Biscarrosse, France
The Navarrosse beach in Biscarrosse
9. The Port beach in Hourtin
A beach like no other
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
<p>Port beach (Plage du Port) is on the Hourtin lake, one of the biggest natural lakes in France, and is great for families looking for all the extras. In addition to the sand itself, there is a miniature golf course, a play area, and the Children’s Island (Île aux Enfants), which is an entirely pedestrian area and full of things for children to do.</p><p>The wooden fort, the climbing nets, and other swings and slides will keep them occupied all day. There are even shaded picnic tables. It’s bound to be a hit.</p>
Location: 33990 Hourtin, France
The Port beach in Hourtin
10. The Truc Vert beach in Lège-Cap-Ferret
A vast sandy beach as far as the eye can see
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
<p>Truc Vert beach is hidden behind the national forest on the Cap Ferret peninsula. This vast beach is great for surfing or just spending time topping up your Vitamin D levels with the family. There are lifeguards in the summer.</p><p>There’s a car park on the other side of the dune, but you can also get to the beach along the cycle path. Surrounded by greenery, golden sand, blue sky, and blue sea, you can stake your parasol in the sand and enjoy your vacation.</p>
Location: 33950 Lège-Cap-Ferret, France
The Truc Vert beach in Lège-Cap-Ferret
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