Paris is the city break 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 travellers, 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 loved by Parisians for weekend breaks 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 popularise 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. The atmosphere changes again at Le Crotoy, a historical fishing village known for its old-fashioned charm and inspiring sea views.
Situated on the eastern side of the Baie de Somme, the sandy beaches are well-protected from the wind and are south-facing. The sunset is lovely here, and the tide completely changes the landscape. The low tide reveals an immense sand flat that is perfect for beach walks.
Lean into the Old World atmosphere by taking a ride on the Baie de Somme steam railway, which runs from May to October . Getting there : The train from Gare du Nord to nearby Noyelles sur Mer takes one hour and 45 minutes. You can take the bus, the steam train or rent a bike from there.
The drive from Paris takes just under three hours, and from Calais, just over an hour. This famous port town and arrival point of the Newhaven ferry is well worth lingering in. With its pebble beaches and craggy cliff paths, the area has the geographical feel of the south coast of England but paired with a French flavour.
After you’ve worked up an appetite climbing to the Château de Dieppe viewpoint, head back down to the town to sample some deliciously fresh seafood; try Le New Haven on the port, a friendly spot for a generous portion of moules-frites. Nearby Criel-sur-Mer, about 20 minutes away by car, presents a more rugged and wild counterpoint and is a favourite with keen walkers. Getting there : The Newhaven ferry arrives directly at Dieppe, a great place to stop off on the way down to Paris.
The journey from Paris takes two and a half to three hours by car. Taking the train from Paris, you’ll need to change to Rouen; the journey takes around three hours. A direct train from Paris will take you to the white cliffs of Étretat with their dramatic arch and needle formations, which inspired Impressionist painters, including Monet.
The landscape is perfect for keen photographers, especially at sunrise and sunset. The town inspired Maurice Leblanc’s French children’s classic, Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar , which more recently inspired a Netflix series starring Omar Sy, and this town is featured in some episodes. The author’s house and gardens are now open as an immersive museum.
Getting there : A direct train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Étretat takes a little under three hours. Deauville matches Le Touquet in the chic stakes and is so popular with well-to-do Parisians that it is sometimes nicknamed the “21st arrondissement of Paris”. It’s as pretty as a vintage postcard with its white sand beach and distinctive, local-made parasols tied with the signature “noeud deauvillais” knot.
Rent yours at the fabulous Art Deco ‘Bains de mer de Deauville’ complex, where you can also sample the town’s Olympic -size sea-water swimming pool . Deauville also has some seawater thalasso spas where you can stop. Getting there: The train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Gare de Trouville - Deauville takes a little over two hours and is a short walk from the station to the main promenade.
This Normandy coastal town is easily accessible from Paris, has buckets of culture and history and is a haven for foodies (you’ll find several of the town’s eateries listed in the Michelin Guide). Cabourg was a hotspot for European high society during the Belle Epoque, including legendary French author Marcel Proust, who spent summers here at the Grand Hotel, which still overlooks the beach in town. Check out the cute multi-coloured beach huts; visit the Villa du Temps Retrouvé museum to relive the golden age; or book tickets to the summer festival Cabourg Mon Amour to see how the Normans kick it these days.
Getting there: Take the train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Caen Station, where you can catch the 111R bus to reach Cabourg in 30 minutes..
