The 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Biarritz beach (Plage de Biarritz) is a small but wide beach in a cove, well sheltered from wind and waves. It is a non-smoking beach (plage sans tabac) so even better for families with children. If you walk along the rocks a little you find a diving platform that can be used when the tide is high.

There are two restaurants close by, as well as changing facilities. From the beach there is a good view of Biarritz's famous Virgin Rock (rocher de la vierge), a natural rocky outcrop topped, as you might guess, by a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Bourdaines beach (La plage des Bourdaines) is near the seaside town of Seignosse in Les Landes. It's calm and not overcrowded, even in summer. The beach has plenty to do, including surf schools and a bar restaurant and other facilities like toilets, showers and a first aid mail.

The beach has life guards during the summer season. There is a path from the free carpark, making this large sandy and sunny beach easy to get to.

Chênes Lièges beach (Plage des Chênes Lièges) is a lovely sandy beach near Lake Hossegor (lac d'Hossegor) at Moliets-et-Maa in Landes. There are lifesavers on Chênes Lièges beach from 1 pm to 7 pm in July and August.

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 crowds. Although this beach is wilder and more protected, there is a well looked after path that leads to it.

Deux Jumeaux beach (Plage des Deux Jumeaux) is north of the seaside town of Hendaye and close to St Jean-de-Luz. This enormous sandy beach is great for families because it has life guards in the summer. It's also possible to do beach fishing here. The beach has disabled access (known as Handiplage) and has lots of extra equipment to make it easier to use for people with reduced mobility, including an access ramp.

Why is it called the beach of the twins (jumeaux)? Because of the two large rocks you can see in the sea at the right hand end. Which is handy, because it helps you to remember that this end of the beach is reserved for nudists.

Lette Blanche beach (Plages de la Lette Blanche) 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 in the water, it's good to know that this beach has life guards in July and August.

And if you like traveling with your dog the good news is that dogs on leads are allowed, although they are not allowed in the water. The beach has toilets and showers and disabled access.

Come get to know the ocean at Mimizan. This seaside town is one of the biggest ones along the Silver Coast and has 9 different beaches. Whether it's the North Beach or the South Beach, Ponton, Courant or Lespecier, it's hard to choose.

Lespecier, near the village of Bias and 6 kilometers south of Mimizan Plage is the wildest and least frequented, so great if you just want to relax in the calm. The beach has life guards during the summer season and disabled access.

Pereire beach (Plage Pereire) is a 3-kilometre stretch of sand, making it the longest beach in Arcachon. It's also one of the nicest because it is lined with pine trees and grass, giving it a really calm feel. There is also a pleasant, shaded promenade with a cycle path.

From the beach there is a fabulous view of the Cap Ferret peninsula. It is a great choice for families with children because as well a lifesavers in summer there are showers and toilets and there is free carpark nearby.

Navarrosse beach (Plage de Navarrosse) on the shores of Lake Biscarosse is perfect for families with young children on vacation in Landes. The water is shallow, so ideal for paddling, but there is also a lifeguard.

Because the water is shallower than the ocean it is also warmer, usually between 24 °C and 28 °C. The beach is lined with pine trees that offer cooler shade on hot summer days and great places for a picnic. There are several, paid, carparks nearby.

Port beach (Plage du Port) on Lake Hourtin (le lac d'Hourtin), one of the biggest natural lakes in France, is great for families with children looking for all the extras on a beach. In addition to the sand there is a miniature golf course, a play area and the Children's Island (île aux enfants), entirely pedestrian and full of things for children to do.

The wooden fort, the climbing nets and other swings and slides will keep them occupied all day and there are shaded picnic tables as well. Bound to be a hit.

Truc Vert beach (Plage du truc vert) is hidden behind the national forest on the Cap Ferret peninsula (la Presqu'île du Cap-Ferret). This vast beach is great for surfing or just spending time topping up your Vitamin D levels with the family. There are lifesavers in the summer.

There is a carpark 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, put your parasol in the sand and enjoy your vacation.