Like all things French, skinny-dipping in France is done in style – and nude beaches are civilized. You can strip all you want without getting arrested, provided you abide by the rules set by the managements of these beaches.
However, before you start discarding those Speedos, it’s a given that first you have to know exactly which beaches you’re looking for.
Things you'll find in this article
- 10 Best Nude Beaches In France
- 1. Naturist Montalivet Beach (Montalivet, France)
- 2. Cap d’Agde (Agde, France)
- 3. Plage Naturiste du Saint-Selon (La Seyne-sur-Mer, France)
- 4. Leucate Plage (Leucate, France)
- 5. Paloma Beach (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France)
- 6. Plage Linguizzetta (Linguizzetta, France)
- 7. Tahiti Beach (St. Tropez, France)
- 8. La Grande Cosse (Fleury, France)
- 9. La Redoute Beach (Sallenelles, France)
- 10. Les Grottes Plage (Hyères, France)
10 Best Nude Beaches In France
Here’s a list of the best nude beaches to choose from if you want to do the “full monty” and strip naked in France.
1. Naturist Montalivet Beach (Montalivet, France)
Curious where all this French nudism began?
Wonder no more.
The Montalivet town in southwestern France is home to the very first beaches to become hotspots for nudists and naturists. It was in the 1950s and the place is practically unchanged since.
Montalivet Beach is dotted with bars and shops, and it’s never short of accommodation for visitors. The whole place is clean and nudist-friendly.
And with sandy beaches stretching for miles, Montalivet is not only ideal for skinny dipping but for long walks as well.
2. Cap d’Agde (Agde, France)
Dubbed the capital of nudism, France’s “Naked City” is the world’s largest clothing-optional beach resort with as many as 40,000 guests per day during a typical high season.
Cap d’Agde in southern France is the place to head to if you want to be wearing your birth suit whatever you do – from sunbathing to eating and shopping. You can even go buck naked to banks and hospitals. Cap d’Agde truly takes free-living to a new level!
However, please note that taking photos and video of other people at Cap d’Agde is prohibited. That is an unspoken rule.
Hygiene is a big deal at Cap d’Agde. You should bring a towel, sarong, or something similar is to sit when in a bar or restaurant when you go unclothed.
Also please bear in mind that some clothes are necessary late in the evenings as it can get cold, even during the summer.
3. Plage Naturiste du Saint-Selon (La Seyne-sur-Mer, France)
One of the most popular spots for tourists visiting the French Riviera, Saint Selon is a naturist beach with sparkling blue waters and rocky cliffs.
Please be advised, though, that while Saint Selon is clothing-optional, you have to trek down a rocky cliff with steep stairs so a pair of sneakers is a must. Don’t worry, the effort is well worth it!
4. Leucate Plage (Leucate, France)
With its serene blue waters and kilometer stretch of golden sands, Leucate Plage in the French region of Occitanie is one of the country’s most family-friendly nude beaches in France.
A perfect spot for relaxation, Leucate Plage is peaceful and quiet – far from the party scenes that other popular French nudist beaches are known for.
Leucate Plage has the reputation for being the best place for “amateur” nudists, so if you’re going au naturel for the first time, you know where to go.
5. Paloma Beach (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France)
Named after Pablo Picasso’s daughter, Paloma Beach is a ritzy, seasonal beach area in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France.
Paloma Beach boasts of amazing turquoise waters and scenic views, with a seaside mansion, seafood restaurant, shower stalls, umbrellas, and opulent patrons.
However, please note that Paloma is not among the “hardcore” ones in this list.
Anything beyond toplessness is discouraged, so if you’re so keen about baring it all, this might not be the best beach for you.
6. Plage Linguizzetta (Linguizzetta, France)
Plage Linguizzetta on the island of Corsica is known for its beautiful coastline belonging to the Costa Verde.
It is one of the longest nude beaches in the world, with its sandy beach stretching for around 2.5 miles.
Skinny-dipping is not the only activity that makes Linguizzetta Beach a very popular destination. It is also a haven for scuba divers. Plus, it has numerous bars and restaurants with tasty food.
It’s a definite must-do when in Corsica.
7. Tahiti Beach (St. Tropez, France)
If you’ve seen Brigitte Bardot’s 1956 movie And God Created Women, which I bet you haven’t, then you have a pretty much good idea about beach nudity in St. Tropez, especifically Tahiti Beach which was made famous by the said film in the 1950s.
Tahiti Beach itself is no doubt one of the best nudist beaches ever, and this is proven by hordes of rich and famous people flocking to discard their tops here.
Personally, this is my best bet for topless bathing.
8. La Grande Cosse (Fleury, France)
One of the largest nude beaches in France, the family-friendly La Grande Cosse, with its fine sands and stunning mountain views, is truly a haven for naturists.
There is a naturist camping village surrounded by countryside and the Massif de la Clape (Clape Hills) in the background.
There are also marshes, lakes, and vineyards in the area, so it’s got a lot of other activities to offer besides skinny-dipping.
9. La Redoute Beach (Sallenelles, France)
La Redoute Beach has three distinct zones.
The first one is the only area where swimming is supervised and only during the summer. To the left side of the beach, swimming is no longer allowed.
The next zone is reserved for kite-surfing. Please note that since this is near the English Channel, the currents are strong so swimming is strictly prohibited.
In the third zone, you can find some really gorgeous sand dunes. Nudity is allowed here at high tide. At low tide, you should be in swimsuit.
This is worth a visit when in this area of Normandy.
10. Les Grottes Plage (Hyères, France)
Les Grottes Plage, on a small island called Île du Levant off the Riviera coast, is one of the few beaches where going all-natural is not optional but mandatory. So if you’re so attached to your Speedos, go somewhere else.
Les Grottes Plage is a bit different from all the nude beaches in the place because there’s a military area here that’s off-limits for naturists.
However, the stretch of sandy beach nudists can access more than makes up for it.
It also offers some of the best nude snorkeling experiences in France.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.