French Beaches: The Atlantic Coast

The Côte d'Argent (Silver Coast) is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, sand dunes and pine forests (one of the largest in Western Europe).

The Côte d'Argent is on the west side of France, stretching from the Gironde estuary (just north of Bordeaux) down to Biarritz.

You can get here easily from either Bordeaux, Nantes or La Rochelle.

Here are some great places to visit in and around the Silver Coast....

• La Rochelle is one of France's prettiest seaside towns, and is refreshingly car-free;


• The resort of Arachon is a favourite weekend destination for residents of nearby Bordeaux;


• If you'd like to venture off the beaten path, take a ferry from Rochefort to the islands of Oleron and Aix, known for long sandy beaches, forests and oyster beds;






• Just north of Oleron is the tiny and charming Île de Ré, a 'secret' getaway for Parisians (you can drive there in about 5 hours). You'll find plenty of sandy, shallow water beaches, as well as walking and cycling paths where you can explore vineyards, forests, or the little villages dotted throughout the island


• Further north, up towards Nantes, are the islands of Noirmoutier and Île D'Yeu, both reached by boat from Fromentier.