Beauduc - Camargue (13)
If you're a fan of vast, wild, deserted sandy areas, places where nature is authentic, then the beaches of the Camargue Natural Park deserve the top spot on your list. Take Beauduc beach, for example, it could make you believe you're on the Atlantic coast. To get there from Marseille, you have to take the ferry from Salin-de-Giraud to Barcarin, a "boat" that connects the two banks of the Grand Rhône, running every half hour from 4:20 am to 2:00 am. A pilgrimage site for birds, including the pink flamingo, it's a spectacle to enjoy. The wind here is crucial, perfect for windsurfing or kiteboarding. Horses are everywhere, with many centers offering horseback rides! If you decide to spend the night, watch out for the tides!
Beauduc Beach - iStock ©
We love: wild, vast deserted expanse!
We love less: the mosquitoes.
Calanque d'En-Vau - Marseille - Cassis (13)
For a long time it remained a secret. Fortunately, the calanque d'En-Vau is still inaccessible by car! Access is through the D559 road that goes from Marseille to Cassis. Opposite the Carpiagne military camp, you have to take the road that passes through the Gardiole forest, continue to a high parking lot. Then you embark on a beautiful hike through the scrubland.
It takes at least 2 hours to walk to this little piece of paradise. So, plan for almost 4 hours round trip. Are we trying to deter you? No! But as we say around here, the Calanques are worth it!
Calanques d'en-Vau - iStock©
We love: its Thai cove look and its turquoise waters far from the traffic.
We love less: due to its popularity, it can get crowded in summer... and people are not always respectful of the environment!
Plage du Langoustier - plage d'Argent à Porquerolles (83)
No need to praise the merits of the island of Porquerolles, accessible by boat from Giens. Once there, if you are with family or if you enjoy lively places with restaurants, you should stay on the Plage d'Argent which has showers, toilets, a surveillance post (the only one on the island) etc... If you prefer tranquility, you should take a bike to reach the peaceful beaches.Head to the large sandy beach of Langoustier, one of the most secluded beaches on the island.
Silver Beach in Porquerolles - iStock©
We love: it's an island without cars!
We love less: the prices of shuttles and everything you can find on site.
Monkey Bay in Les Goudes - Marseille (13)
We are in Marseille, but it feels like the end of the world. Our favorite beach in Marseille!
Baie des singes - iStock©
We love: so close to Marseille yet secluded.
We love less: the aftermath of the mistral, it's very dirty!
Beach of Calanque de Port Pin - Cassis (13)
One of the most beautiful creeks in the region, its reputation speaks for itself. Enjoy beautiful hikes before diving into its turquoise waters... paradise.
Calanque de Port Pin - marseilletourisme.fr©
We love: a little piece of paradise.
We love less: the tourists.
Gaou Peninsula - Six-Fours-les-Plages (83)
For years, the peninsula hosted the Voice of Gaou Festival; today it's over but you can still enjoy its small beaches and paradisiacal coves.
Presqu'île du Gaou - tourisme-ouestvar.fr ©
We love: taking walks and picnicking in the pine forest.
We love less: The Voices of Gaou no longer exist!
Pellegrin Beach - La Londe-les-Maures (83)
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Var coast!
La Londe-lès-Maures - iStock ©
We love: its typical Mediterranean landscape and its small island.
We love less: a bit too many tourists.
Plage du fort de Brégançon - Bormes-les-Mimosas (83)
Because it's not just the presidents who have the right to enjoy their holidays! The beach in front of the fort de Brégançon is very pleasant, you can have lunch in the shade of the pine trees. And you can admire the view of the fort (which remains inaccessible to us, the common people).
Bormes-les-mimosas - iStock©
We love: The many pine trees that provide shade.
We love less: when the president (whoever it may be) decides to spend his vacations there... helicopters and paparazzi are on the scene and can ruin a relaxing day in the sun!
Pomègues and Ratonneau (Frioul Islands) - Marseille (13)
Take the shuttle to the Frioul Islands. Walk around both islands, climb some rocks, explore the bunkers from the second world war, and stop at Tahiti beach to take a relaxing swim!
Île du Frioul - iStock©
We love: going to an island but staying in the 7th district of Marseille.
We love less: the shuttle schedules, be careful on the way back!
Blue Coast: The calanques of Méjan, Ensues-la-Redonne, Niolon, des Eaux Salées or de La Vesse. (13)
Because the beautiful calanques are not only on the side of Cassis; the picturesque Blue Coast has some fabulous spots away from the tourists! Perfect for diving! And you can enjoy a nice meal in Ensues! A tip: from Marsei"All aboard the train (15 to 20 minutes) and enjoy the view!"
Calanque de Méjean - iStock ©
We love: only residents' cars have access to the calanques, so you have to park far away, which deters a lot of people except us!
We like less: you have to walk, but actually it's cool, unless you forgot the sunscreen in the car!
Beach of La Couronne - Martigues (13)
A little further on the Blue Coast (at the end of the network), two beaches of La Couronne with well-deserved success: Sainte-Croix and Le Verdon. These are the beaches of our childhood, with sand, pedal boats, beach volleyball nets, showers and toilets, and even restaurants ... Perfect for families! Filming location of the TF1 series...
