France is a Promised Land for adepts of baignade naturiste AKA nude bathing. Being topless is de facto tolerated on almost all beaches here, but for a complete experience au naturel opt for the ones that have official recognition as a plage naturiste (or naturist beach). From the dunes of the Atlantic to the rocky coves of Cote d’Azur, from Mediterranean sandy stretches to wild Corsican bays, here are the best nude beaches in France to fully liberate yourself.
Île du Levant - Hyères
A legend among the naturists of Europe, Île du Levant is unlike anything else. Being naked is not a recommendation here – it’s a requirement. The only accessible part of the island is a naturist village of Heliopolis, everything else is used by the military for missile testing. There are no roads and you can only come by boat, how is that for a truly exceptional experience? The beach to check out is the idyllic Plage des Grottes, with a picture-perfect setting, clean waters, and complete tranquility.
Le Layet Beach - Le Lavandou
One of the most picturesque nude beaches in the South of France, Le Layet is a remotely located piece of Mediterranean perfection. Set between Le Lavandou and Cavalière, it’s kind of a best-kept secret of the Var region where naturism is celebrated among the lush vegetation. The waters are clear, the surface is sandy, and facilities like a WC, a restaurant, and showers are available.
Bagheera Beach - Corsica
Dropping all your clothes while on the island sounds awesome. When the island is Corsica, you’re getting a fantastic nude experience. A part of the naturist holiday resort, Bagheera Beach is what the clothing-optional dreams are made of. Expect pleasant sand under your feet, sublime sea panoramas around, and the unforgettable scent of eucalyptus trees in the air. It’s a family-friendly stretch with a scenic restaurant.
Piémanson Beach - Arles
The sand is everywhere you look at the epic Piémanson, which is among the most striking nude beaches in France. A part of the vast Camargue National Park, this stretch is an official one too, proudly run by the French Naturist Federation so you won’t break any laws baring it all here. The setting can’t be more picturesque, Salin-de-Giraud salt planes are behind, the mouth of the Rhône River is nearby, and the Mediterranean is right in front.
L’Espiguette Beach - Le Grau-du-Roi
A jewel among nude beaches of France, L’Espiguette is a glorious 10-mile stretch of dunes near the Mediterranean resort town of Le Grau-du-Roi. It’s a beloved naturist spot in the country and features a specially designated area for au naturel bathing authorized by the authorities. This is the one for going wild, in a literal way. L’Espiguette is the Mediterranean as it once was, without high-rises, noisy restaurants, and buildings in general. The parking is for a fee, and there are several beach bars for drinks and snacks.
Euronat Beach - Grayan-et-l'Hôpital
Feel the grandeur of the French Atlantic coast while completely nude at Euronat Beach. A part of the eponymous naturist resort, it is one of the most popular and well-maintained stretches in France that is completely reserved for nudists. Although a part of an accommodation complex, Euronat Beach can be reached by walking from Gurp Beach located nearby for free. Or you can simply have a weekend at Euronat Resort to fully commit to the naturist philosophy and relax in the process.
Les Montilles Beach - Port-la-Nouvelle
An open secret of Southern France’s Occitania region, Les Montilles is known for its hard sands that allow easy car access. That brings lots of camper vans to this picturesque beach. It’s vast, undeveloped, and clean. But don’t worry, civilization is never far away – the pretty Port-la-Nouvelle beach town is right nearby with a quaint waterfront and a kaleidoscope of authentic restaurants to check out.
Torreilles Beach
Set close to the Spanish border, Torreilles is a quintessential Mediterranean naturist beach that checks all the boxes for ideal nude lounging. There is a big free parking lot, the golden sand is a delight, and the water is perfect for swimming. It’s an officially designated naturist beach but the clothed people occasionally venture in too as there are simply not enough signs indicating the au naturel profile.
Poste de secours n°1 Plage Nord, 66440 Torreilles, France— +33 6 72 80 98 43
Pampelonne Beach - Saint-Tropez
Pampelonne is a long stretch of fine sand right off the ultra-glamorous Saint-Tropez. A part of it called Plage de Tahiti was once a go-to place for celebrities and hedonism practitioners that wanted to sunbathe with no clothes on. The stretch was made popular by the classic and controversial 1956 movie with Brigitte Bardot called “Et Dieu… Créa La Femme,” where the beach saw some steamy action between the actors. Today it’s not quite how it was with a more mainstream clothed crowd hanging around. The address you need, though, is a private naturist beach club close to Tahiti called Neptune Plage, where it’s officially allowed to bare it all.
Cap d’Agde Naturist Beach
Fancy being among the like-minded au naturel enthusiasts without any sign of judgment in sight? Adjacent to one of the biggest naturist villages in France, Cap d’Agde nude beach is this kind of a place. Nudity is required here. For those who practice naturism, it’s a paradise on earth with a developed infrastructure, easygoing crowd, and long sandy stretch of la plage. If you were to choose a resort village for the first naked holiday in France, Cap d’Agde qualifies.
Port-Leucate Beach - Leucate
Port-Leucate is a charming small beach town on the French Mediterranean coast. It’s famous for the long sandy stretch with gentle waves and beautiful surroundings that is perfect for families with children. Naked boating enthusiasts have a designated part of this sea perfection too – it’s found closer to Grau de Leucate. The great news is that the naturist section is geographically separated from the textile one so you’re having better privacy and a chance to fully be yourself. And you can easily go to Port-Leucate nearby for some exploration and tasting of the local cuisine.
