The Mediterranean coast of France is one of the most popular resort regions of Europe. This region is popular with tourists who have different preferences: beach holidays, agritourism, gastronomic tours, sea cruises. The length of the Mediterranean coast of France is about 600 kilometers.
The city of Menton is the easternmost city on the Côte d'Azur of France, the last French city in front of the Italy border. Mediterranean coast of Spain is to the west. The village of Cerbère is located in the south-west, next to the Spanish border. There is the railway station located on the railway line between Perpignan and Barcelona.
The southern coast of France can be divided into two parts, west of the mouth of the river Ron (Occitania, Languedoc) and east of the Rhône (Provence-Riviera) - Côte d'Azur.
French Riviera
The eastern part of the Mediterranean coast of France is very popular with tourists. This is the famous Côte d'Azur - French Riviera. The length of the Cote d'Azur is about 300 kilometers. On this stretch of coast, there are both rocky sites, and good beaches. Many beaches are covered with pebbles (including the famous beach next to the promenade in Nice). The most famous French beach cities - Saint-Tropez, Juan-les-Pins, Saint-Raphael, Cannes, Nice are located here.
On the same stretch of coastline is the Principality of Monaco located too. It is one of the smallest countries in the world. (The Principality is widely known thanks to the popular casino in Monte Carlo and the stage of the Formula 1 championship held here - the Monaco Grand Prix.)
This region of France is very popular with tourists. Wealthy people from many countries come here on holiday in the summer. If you plan to go here in July or August, you should book a hotel (holiday home, apartment or camping) in advance. The largest cities in this region are Marseille, Nice, Toulon, Cannes.
Marseille is the second city in France by the number of inhabitants. Here is the largest port of the country. Marseille-Provence International Airport, located in Marignane, is the fifth largest French airport by number of passengers.
Nice is one of the most famous resort towns of the Côte d'Azur and the second largest France city on the Mediterranean coast. Approximately 4 million tourists visit the city every year.
Cannes is one of the most popular and famous resorts of Côte d'Azur. The city is famous for its annual film festival.
About 70 thousand people live in the city. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Cannes.
Pampelonne Beach is the longest, most famous and most popular beach in the entire French Riviera. In the high season, from July to August, up to 30,000 vacationers a day can be present. The beach has a length of about 4 kilometers (about 3 miles). There is everything you need for a pleasant holiday by the sea. The beach is located about 4 kilometers south of the city of Saint-Tropez.
Larvotto Beach is located in Monte Carlo (Monaco). On the beach you can meet the wealthiest people from many European countries in the summer. (But they prefer private beaches.)
The most popular beaches in Nice stretch along the Promenade des Anglais. There are both free beaches and stretches of coast with a paid entrance. It is pebble beach.
"Nice Côte d'Azur" airport is the third largest airport in France by passenger traffic. The airport is used by travelers heading to Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Saint Tropez. Residents of the border regions of Italy also often use this airport.
Where to buy tickets to France? Find flights to the airport you need here and then buy tickets on the airline's website.
The A8-La Provençale motorway crosses the region from west to east to the border with Italy. You can rent a car and drive to the most beautiful places on your own.
We recommend that you read: interesting events on the French Riviera.
Occitania
The western part of the Mediterranean coast of France is located in the territory of the Occitania region. The Occitania region was established in 2016, after the unification of the regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and South-Pyrenees. Despite the changes in the administrative structure, the name Languedoc-Roussillon for this region is often found in the guides.
The length of the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Occitania is about 250 kilometers. On the coast, there are many good beaches and marinas This part of the coast is not so famous among tourists as the eastern part of the Mediterranean coast of France. Montpellier is the largest city on this stretch of coast.
There are many beaches on the coast. Among the best tourists call, for example:
Espiguette (in Le Grau du Roi Beach), Plage du Grand Travers (in La Grande Motte) and Plage du Petit Travers (in Carnon) near Montpellier.
St-Cyprien Plage (in Saint-Cyprien) near Perpignan.
Plage de VALRAS (in Valra-Plage) near Agde and Beziers.
Airports near the coast in Occitania.
Marseille Provence Airport (IATA: MRS) is located 27 kilometers north-west of Marseille. The airport of Marseilles is the fifth in France by passenger traffic.
Toulouse aiport — Blagnac (Aéroport de Toulouse — Blagnac, TLS) is located in the south of France, in the north-west of Toulouse. The distance from the airport to the coast is about 170 kilometers. The airport takes the 6th place in France by the number of passengers.
Montpellier Mediteranean Airport (IATA: MPL), also known as Frejorg Airport, is located 7 kilometers southeast of Montpellier in the department of Herault in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France. The airport takes the 10th place in terms of the number of passengers in France.
The Aéroport de Perpignan-Rivesaltes (IATA: PGF), also known as Llabanère Airport, is a small international airport near Perpignan and Rivasaltes.
Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport (IATA: BZR) is located near the town of Bezier (11 kilometers) in the department of Hérault.
The coastal cities can also be reached from Paris by TGV trains.
Do you want to make a trip to France? It's not as expensive as it might seem. Just buy airplane tickets and book a hotel. You certainly can afford the journey to fulfill your dreams.
If you are planning a holiday on the Mediterranean coast in France in the summer, then you should take care of the place to stay in advance. There are many people who want to come here in July, August and September, so the best hotel rooms and the best apartments can be booked in the spring.
Find and book a place to stay in France.
🚄 What type of transport will you choose for traveling in France? Airplane, bus or train? Tickets for the train and bus can be bought online. You will find useful links here.
