Page 55 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

The Old Resorts
The resort town of Deauville was once the
jewel of the “Parisian Riviera”, where wealthy
Parisians flocked in the late 19th century.
This golden spot on the Côte Fleurie (p252) still
oozes vintage charm. It shares glorious beaches
with nearby Trouville, more down-to-earth
but no less appealing. Up the coast, dreamy
Étretat inspired the Impressionists with its
endless alabaster strands and soaring cliffs.

The stylish Art Deco
beach huts at Deauville

INSIDER TIP
City Beach
Each summer without
fail, landlocked Paris
transforms the banks of
the Seine and the Canal
St Martin into a family-
friendly beach, with
open-air pools and
activities for kids.

Sunkissed Strands
If you’re looking for sun, sea and sand, France delivers in spades.
There are tourist hotspots aplenty on the Med – the best sandy
beaches are in Argelès and Narbonne (p482) in Languedoc.
The Grand Plage in St-Jean-de-Luz (p466), meanwhile, is a
heavenly golden beach on the Atlantic coast, great for
kids. And there are other first-rate strands in the
north, such as those in Le Touquet (p202) or genteel
Cabourg, Proust’s old haunt.

TOP SECRET
4 BEACHES

Îles Lavezzi
Head to southern Corsica
for granite shores and
translucent waters.
Calanque de Saint-
Barthélémy
A spectacular stretch of
coastline, dotted with
miniature beaches.
Plage de la
Bastide Blanche
Golden sands matched
with crystal waters.
Plage de Notre Dame
A blissfully quiet beach Bird’s-eye view of
on the island retreat
of Porquerolles. turquoise water on the
French Rivieira, and
children playing (inset)
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