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Biarritz tops the rankings of France's favourite beaches

Oliver Gee
Oliver Gee - [email protected]
Biarritz tops the rankings of France's favourite beaches
Photo: Florian Pépellin/WikiCommons

A new ranking has revealed the best beaches around France, with Biarritz topping the table. What have they missed?

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Can we start dreaming about summer sun yet?

Well, travel website TripAdvisor seems to think so, and has released its list of the best beaches in France, according to user review ratings. 
 
Time to start planning that summer holiday?
 
1: La Cote des Basques, Biarritz
 
This beach in Biarritz, south western France was the only French beach to make it into the top 25 in the world, finishing 17th.  
 
It's a huge hit with surfers, or even surfer spectators, with reviewers beaming about the golden sand, the big waves, and the way the nearby buildings are nestled in the rocks. 
 
"The beach is beautiful and clean. The promenade is wide and a great place to people watch," one user noted. 
 
Others recommended the good shopping on the beach front, the fact that toilets and showers are free, and the scenic walks between the headlands. 
 
And be sure you don't miss the light house at the end of the beach if you're looking for the best views of the city and the best look at those unbeatable sunsets.
 
Photo: Florian Pépellin/WikiCommons
 
2: Plage de Palombaggia, Porto-Vecchio
 
The number two beach isn't on the mainland - it's on the northern island of Corsica. 
 
"Sublime water - my favourite beach in Corsica. Shallow, iridescent, warm sea and fine, powdery white sand," said one reviewer. 
 
Photo: miquitos/Flickr
 
3: Plage du Sillon, Saint-Malo
 
You'll have to head to beautiful Brittany to see this wondrous beach. It's even a treat in the winter time, with stunning views of the old town. 
 
Photo: Saint Malo Tourism
 
4: Plage du Petit Sperone, Bonifacio
 
Another beach in Corsica, also on the northern island (but this time on the southern tip). 
 
Photo: Tripadvisor
 
5: Santa Giulia Beach, Santa Giulia
 
Again - the Corsicans have provided a top five beach. 
 
One reviewer said: "It's so stunning that doesn't even look like it's in Europe. Lots of nice activities available there for the water sports lovers and also the restaurants are lovely. Absolutely a must-see place."
 
Photo: Corsica.co.uk
 
6: Hendaye Beach, Hendaye
 
"Unspoilt. Local. Fabulous," trumpeted one reviewer about this beach near the Spanish border in south western France, which is loved by surfers and bathers alike.
 
It offers great views down to the northern Spanish coast and the Pyrenees.
 
Photo: JLPC/WikiCommons
 
7: Le Touquet Beach, Le Touquet
 
Here's one from the northern coast of France.
 
One reviewer called it "spectacular" before drooling over its "infinite view" and its "white soft sand". 
 
Photo: AntonyB/WikiCommons
 
8: Escalet Beach, Ramatuelle
 
"Excellent Beach - a little more effort with big rewards!" said one TripAdvisor reviewer of this beach, which is on the French Riviera in south eastern France. 
 
Photo: Didhle/Flickr
 
9: Deauville
 
"Lovely spot in a beautiful, busy town," said one reviewer of this beach in northern France. 
 
Photo: Calvados Tourisme
 
10: Plage de Pampelonne, Saint-Tropez
 
Head to the French Riviera to sample the delights of this beach, which prompts reviewers press the 5-star rating.
 
"When in St. Tropez, one must spend ( at least) an afternoon on this beach," said one reviewer.
 
"The water, beach, and yes people are all beautiful."
 
Photo: Arnaud 25/WikiCommons

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