France's coastline stretches over 3,400 kilometres, yet most international visitors cluster along the same stretch of Mediterranean shore. Meanwhile, harbour towns unchanged for centuries, beaches rivaling anything on the Côte d'Azur, and coastal culture untouched by mass tourism wait for those willing to venture beyond the famous names. These five towns represent the France that locals keep to themselves – and they're all perfect for a weekend escape.
1. Collioure, Occitanie – Where the Pyrenees Meet the Sea
Collioure's beauty so captivated Henri Matisse and André Derain that they invented Fauvism here, using bold colors to capture light that seemed too intense for traditional painting. A century later, the town looks remarkably unchanged – pastel-colored buildings tumbling down to a small harbour, a 13th-century royal castle jutting into Mediterranean waters, and fishing boats still landing each morning's catch.
What sets Collioure apart from more famous coastal towns is its setting at the foot of the Pyrénées-Orientales, where mountains meet sea in dramatic fashion. Vineyards climb the surrounding hillsides, producing robust Banyuls wine meant to be drunk with the local anchovy specialties. The beaches, though small, catch afternoon sun that the surrounding peaks block in nearby towns.
Despite its beauty, Collioure remains surprisingly quiet outside of French school holidays. The town has actively resisted high-rise development, maintaining its character while others succumbed to tourist demands. Come for a weekend, spend your days swimming from rocky coves, your evenings watching sunset paint the castle walls, and your nights eating the freshest seafood in Languedoc.
Getting there: 25km from Perpignan (train or car), 170km from Barcelona.
Best time: May-June or September-October. July-August is hot and more crowded with French holidaymakers.
Don't miss: The morning fish market, anchovy tasting at local shops, and sunset drinks at a harbour-side café.
2. Étel, Brittany – Wild Beauty and Oyster Country
Brittany's southern coast hides numerous fishing towns, but Étel offers something unique: a treacherous river bar that has shaped the town's character for centuries. The dangerous entrance kept large-scale fishing fleets away, preserving a small-boat culture that continues today. Oyster farms line the protected estuary, while the ocean side features some of Brittany's most dramatic dunes.
The town itself is pleasantly unpretentious – more working harbour than tourist attraction. The Tuesday market brings locals from surrounding villages, the waterfront bars fill with fishermen rather than day-trippers, and the restaurants serve what was caught that morning rather than what tourists expect. This is authentic Breton coastal life, unpackaged for consumption.
The surrounding landscape offers wild beaches backed by heath-covered dunes, coastal paths following dramatic cliff lines, and the mysterious standing stones of nearby Carnac – Europe's largest megalithic site. Étel works perfectly as a base for exploring this entire coast, or simply as a destination in itself for those seeking quiet contemplation and exceptional oysters.
Getting there: 15km from Auray (train station), 35km from Lorient.
Best time: May-September. Brittany's weather is unpredictable, but summer offers the longest days and warmest water.
Don't miss: Fresh oysters at the port, a walk along the Ria d'Étel estuary, and the view from Saint-Cado chapel.
3. Le Croisic, Pays de la Loire – Salt Marshes and Seafood
The Guérande salt marshes have produced sea salt using traditional methods for over 1,000 years, and Le Croisic sits at their edge where the marshes meet the Atlantic. This small town on a peninsula offers a fascinating blend of maritime heritage, salt-making tradition, and some of the finest seafood restaurants on France's Atlantic coast.
The town's old port still hosts a working fishing fleet, landing the day's catch at quayside auctions you can observe each morning. Surrounding the port, 17th-century merchants' houses reflect the prosperity that salt and fish once brought. But Le Croisic never developed into a major harbour, keeping it at a scale that feels human rather than industrial.
Walking the wild coast trail reveals granite cliffs, hidden coves, and views across to the île d'Hoëdic on clear days. The nearby walled town of Guérande offers medieval streets and the chance to visit working salt marshes, where paludiers still harvest fleur de sel by hand. Few international tourists find this corner of France, leaving it to Parisians and Nantais who keep its secrets closely guarded.
Getting there: 85km from Nantes (1 hour by car), direct train from Paris to Le Croisic (3.5 hours).
Best time: June-September for swimming; May and October for fewer crowds with still-pleasant weather.
Don't miss: A visit to a salt marsh, dinner at one of the harbour restaurants, and the sunset from the coastal path.
4. Cap Ferret, Nouvelle-Aquitaine – Dunes, Oysters, and Bicycles
This narrow peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bassin d'Arcachon feels like a different France – relaxed, bicycle-oriented, and focused on simple pleasures rather than grand monuments. Pine forests give way to towering dunes, villages of wooden houses cluster around oyster ports, and the pace of life slows to something approaching stillness.
Cap Ferret's appeal lies in its restraint. Development is strictly controlled – no high-rises, limited new construction, and a building style that emphasizes integration with the landscape. The result feels more Hamptons than Riviera, but without the pretension. Parisians and Bordelais have holiday homes here, but the atmosphere remains understated.
Days here follow a predictable rhythm: morning coffee in the village, bicycle ride to one of the ocean beaches, oyster lunch at a waterfront shack, afternoon swim in the calm bassin waters, and evening wine watching the sunset paint the Dune du Pilat pink across the bay. It's not a destination for sightseeing or activity-cramming; it's a destination for being, which might be exactly what a weekend escape requires.
Getting there: 65km from Bordeaux (1 hour by car, or train to Arcachon + ferry).
Best time: June and September for perfect weather without summer crowds. July-August is busy with French families.
Don't miss: Sunset at the lighthouse, oyster tasting at a cabane (waterfront oyster shack), and cycling through the pine forests.
5. Porquerolles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur – A Mediterranean Secret
It seems impossible that an island just off the French Riviera could remain relatively unknown, yet Porquerolles achieves exactly this. Cars are banned, development is strictly limited (80% of the island is protected national park), and the beaches rival Caribbean destinations in clarity and colour. This is the Côte d'Azur as it existed before mass tourism arrived.
The island's village clusters around a small square where pétanque games unfold under plane trees, and restaurants serve the day's catch without pretension. Bicycles are the main transport, paths leading through vineyards and pine forests to beaches that might be completely empty even in summer. The south coast's cliffs hide secluded swimming spots accessible only by boat or swimming.
Porquerolles rewards slow exploration. Rent a bicycle, pack a picnic with local rosé (the island produces its own wine), and lose yourself on the network of paths. Find a beach, swim in water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue, and understand why this island has been protected so carefully. As a weekend escape from anywhere in France, Porquerolles offers a complete change of pace and perspective.
Getting there: Ferry from Hyères (20 minutes) or La Tour Fondue (10 minutes). Hyères has train connections to major French cities.
Best time: May-June or September. July-August is busier but still manageable due to visitor limits.
Don't miss: Plage Notre-Dame (often voted France's best beach), cycling to the lighthouse, and wine tasting at a local domaine.
Planning Your French Coastal Escape
These five towns share several qualities: they're accessible from major transport hubs (usually within 1-2 hours), they offer accommodation ranging from simple hotels to charming guesthouses, and they provide a complete change of pace from everyday life. Here's how to plan:
- Transportation: All are reachable by public transport, but a car opens up coastal exploration. Porquerolles requires a ferry regardless.
- Accommodation: Book ahead for summer weekends, especially in smaller towns with limited options. Chambres d'hôtes (B&Bs) offer the most authentic experience.
- Language: English is spoken in tourist areas, but these towns cater primarily to French visitors. Basic French goes a long way and is always appreciated.
- Dining: Reserve dinner tables in advance, especially in smaller towns where good restaurants fill quickly. Ask your accommodation for recommendations.
- Timing: French school holidays (July-August) bring domestic crowds. May-June and September offer often-better weather with fewer visitors.
France's overlooked coastal towns offer something increasingly rare: places that feel discovered rather than consumed. They remind us that the best travel experiences often lie just beyond the famous names, waiting for those willing to venture slightly off the beaten path. Your weekend escape awaits – the question is simply which direction you'll head.