MAPS: Which beaches are open to the public in France?
Many of France’s 2,600-plus beaches reopened to the public on May 16th as part of the country’s plan to loosen lockdown. These maps will help you find out if you’re free to go for a walk or a swim at your closest beach.
Beaches all across France have been reopened to the public as part the French government’s de-escalation plans, a measure which will bring a new lease of life to millions of people in France living close to the coast.
(scroll down for region-by-region maps)
From Brittany all the way down to Alpes Maritimes, beachgoers can now enjoy a day of sea and sand - as long as it's within 100km of their home - but they have to do it in what’s being dubbed “dynamic mode” in the French press.
READ ALSO How does France's 100km rule work?
That means that swimming, surfing, walking, jogging and sailing are allowed but sitting down to read a book, having a picnic or sunbathing - referred to as “static mode” - is off the cards.
Group sports and gatherings are not allowed.
Beaches will not be accessible at night and opening hours will vary depending on the department and municipality.
Local authorities have to first apply for their beaches to reopen and based on their situation vis-à-vis Covid-19 infection rates, they will be allowed to reopen or remain closed.
In Corsica and Bouches-du-Rhône department, including Marseille, beaches will remain closed during the month of May.
This doesn’t mean either that every single beach in départments that have been given the go-ahead will be opened.
For example, Deauville mayor Philippe Augier has decided not to reopen beaches to prevent a flood of tourists from Paris flocking to the northern seaside resort.
"If we say our beaches are open, everyone will come and it will be a terrible mix,” he told France 3 Normandie.
“We must have the courage to say: the time has not come yet. Let's do it gradually.”
The following maps published in the French press show most of France’s 5,800km coastline, with each map focusing on a department, area or region where certain beaches are open.
The only map that isn’t available so far is for the south-eastern Alpes-Maritimes department where Nice and Cannes are (the far right side of the French Riviera), perhaps because all the beaches in all its communes are open to the public.
Beaches open in north east France (Hauts-de-France region)
Beaches open in Normandy's Calvados department
Beaches open in Normandy's Manche department
Beaches opened to the public in Brittany
Beaches open in Loire-Atlantique and Vendée in the north west
Beaches opened to the public in Charente Maritime in the west
(Map also includes bodies of water such as lakes and museums)
Beaches opened to the public in the south east (Aquitaine region ) and south west coast in Occitanie
Beaches open to the public in Provence
(Map also includes parks and other cultural activities, open beaches are yellow icons)
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Beaches all across France have been reopened to the public as part the French government’s de-escalation plans, a measure which will bring a new lease of life to millions of people in France living close to the coast.
(scroll down for region-by-region maps)
From Brittany all the way down to Alpes Maritimes, beachgoers can now enjoy a day of sea and sand - as long as it's within 100km of their home - but they have to do it in what’s being dubbed “dynamic mode” in the French press.
READ ALSO How does France's 100km rule work?
That means that swimming, surfing, walking, jogging and sailing are allowed but sitting down to read a book, having a picnic or sunbathing - referred to as “static mode” - is off the cards.
Group sports and gatherings are not allowed.
Beaches will not be accessible at night and opening hours will vary depending on the department and municipality.
Local authorities have to first apply for their beaches to reopen and based on their situation vis-à-vis Covid-19 infection rates, they will be allowed to reopen or remain closed.
In Corsica and Bouches-du-Rhône department, including Marseille, beaches will remain closed during the month of May.
This doesn’t mean either that every single beach in départments that have been given the go-ahead will be opened.
For example, Deauville mayor Philippe Augier has decided not to reopen beaches to prevent a flood of tourists from Paris flocking to the northern seaside resort.
"If we say our beaches are open, everyone will come and it will be a terrible mix,” he told France 3 Normandie.
“We must have the courage to say: the time has not come yet. Let's do it gradually.”
The following maps published in the French press show most of France’s 5,800km coastline, with each map focusing on a department, area or region where certain beaches are open.
The only map that isn’t available so far is for the south-eastern Alpes-Maritimes department where Nice and Cannes are (the far right side of the French Riviera), perhaps because all the beaches in all its communes are open to the public.
Beaches open in north east France (Hauts-de-France region)
Beaches open in Normandy's Calvados department
Beaches open in Normandy's Manche department
Beaches opened to the public in Brittany
Beaches open in Loire-Atlantique and Vendée in the north west
Beaches opened to the public in Charente Maritime in the west
(Map also includes bodies of water such as lakes and museums)
Beaches opened to the public in the south east (Aquitaine region ) and south west coast in Occitanie
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