Living by the Coast in France

One of the biggest attractions of living along the extensive coast is, of course, the weather. The decadent French Riviera on the Mediterranean coast and Brittany on the Atlantic offer a blissful climate and a unique lifestyle where food and fine wine take centre stage.

Beautiful sea views, long stretches of golden beaches and sun-filled days make the French coast a popular choice for property buyers. It’s a large and diverse coastline, so here’s a taster of a few areas and what they have to offer.

The Northern Coast

Brittany’s magnificent beaches, with their granite rocks and secluded coves and inlets, are a real treat. The varied coastline stretches 700 miles, offering plenty to do and explore. 

The proximity to the UK, thanks to Dinard airport and Saint Malo ferry port, makes it a popular choice for property buyers, with its fine beaches and historic towns proving a big draw time and again.

Add to this the region’s culinary delights of crêpes, cider, delicious seafood, and traditional Fest-Noz parties, and it’s not difficult to see the authentic appeal of this beautiful coastline. 

We have properties in one of Brittany’s most attractive, well-preserved towns: Dinan. Waterside restaurants, arts and crafts, the old town with its labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets, and the 13th-century castle all add to the location’s charm.

We also offer properties in Quiberon, where the Atlantic’s raw strength meets the calm of the Bay of Quiberon. The Côte Sauvage attracts visitors with its Celtic Roots, rugged cliffs and wild scenery, while the protected beaches provide peaceful retreats. 

The Mediterranean Coast

The Riviera

Many property buyers are naturally drawn to the leisurely lifestyle of the French Riviera, known to French nationals as the Côte d’Azur. Home to some of the finest beaches in the world and glamorous resort cities such as Cannes, Nice and Saint-Tropez, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to have their second home or luxury villa here.

Lavender fields, olive groves, and azure blue seas make for a picture-postcard setting. The vibrant French cuisine and cooking are top-notch, and foodies will love what’s on offer.

Occitanie

The six-mile stretch of sand at Argelès-Plage, near Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales, is one of the best beaches along the Languedoc coast and is popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. This area is home to many beaches and the cities of Montpellier, Perpignan and Nîmes (the Rome of France).

Occitanie’s geography is impressive too, from the wetlands of the Camargue to the mountains of the Cévennes, Montagne Noire, and the Pyrenees, all about an hour’s drive from the coast.

The Atlantic Coast

Beautiful stretches of long golden sands set against a backdrop of pine forests, combined with exceptional food and lots of sunshine, make the Charente-Maritime another top coastal destination.

Charente-Maritime is popular with families and is considered more laid-back than the busier Occitanie. It still offers plenty of culture and historic towns, such as the beautiful old port of La Rochelle, with its medieval houses and Renaissance architecture.

Live by the Sea

Living by the coast offers a lot. A relaxing pace of life, a warmer climate, exquisite food, cultural attractions, and historic towns and villages combine to create a winning combination.

Please share your search criteria and budget so we can help you plan your French adventure by the sea.