The French do lots of things very well—pastries, bread, wine, high fashion, hosting the Olympics…
But there’s perhaps nothing they excel at more than achieving a good work-life balance…at knowing when to sit back and savor the good things in life. And that’s never more apparent than during the month of August.
There’s a tradition in France where basically the whole country takes the month of August off.
They’ve been doing this since the 19th century, when industrial workers were given time off in high summer, usually in August.
Today, it’s generally expected that businesses will slow down, or close completely, in August. Government offices, small businesses and even some larger companies will close for the month too.
During this time off, the French typically pack up and relocate to the beach to relax, unwind, and eat good food. And there’s no shortage of beaches to choose from in France, from world-renowned destinations like Saint-Tropez, Biarritz and Nice to lesser-known, yet equally stunning beaches in the Languedoc region, or along the country’s long Atlantic coast.
France’s long and varied coastline means it’s an excellent place to look for an European beach escape.
Of course, in the famous high-end resort towns like Saint-Tropez and Biarritz, you’ll need millions of dollars for a home that’s little bigger than a shoebox. Take this apartment in Saint-Tropez (one of the cheapest we could find). It’s just over 300 square feet, one bedroom…granted, you can walk to the beach. The price? €499,000…that’s $548,500!
But when you know where to look in France, you’ll find far more affordable and better value options…
My team have been scouting the coasts of France for decades. We know where to look for good value escapes where you’ll still get the gorgeous beaches, world-class wine, classic French restaurants…everything that makes a French coastal home so enjoyable. So, today, I asked them to come up with some interesting listings.
Plus, we expanded the search a bit on this one and went beyond mainland France. Due to the country’s colonial past, the French still has territories outside of Europe…including some that are in the ultimate beach getaway location of the Caribbean.
Here’s a rundown of the best listings my team uncovered…starting with something that’s a bit pricey but also quite special… (Note: we haven’t visited these listings or done any due diligence on them.)
Narbonne, Languedoc-Roussillon
Listing Price: €750,000 ($826,550)
In the south of France you can live in a castle, but still be a short drive to the Mediterranean Sea.
We all know that when it comes to property prices, the South of France can be eye-wateringly expensive. But look beyond the hotspots of Cannes and Nice, and you can find the same sun-drenched beaches and pretty resort towns but without the hefty price tag.
I’ve been talking about the Languedoc region for a while now. It’s a popular second home and vacation destination but without the same volume of tourists you’ll find in Provence to the east. It’s also got a more affordable cost of living and it offers some of the best-value real estate in the entire country.
Located in the western Languedoc, just inland from France’s Mediterranean coastline, is the city of Narbonne (you’re just over a two-hour drive from Barcelona). Once a major Roman port, Narbonne has a wealth of historical landmarks, the most well-known being the Narbonne Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur). This is an unfinished Gothic masterpiece, with towering arches and stunning stained glass. Narbonne is also known for its lively market, Les Halles de Narbonne, where you can sample local produce, from fresh seafood to regional wines.
Additionally, Narbonne’s proximity to the Mediterranean makes it an excellent base for exploring the nearby beaches and the beautiful Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Natural Regional Park.
A beach escape dream home doesn’t get any more French than a chateau near the Mediterranean. But that’s what we found just outside Narbonne…a nine-bed, five-bath castle that’s just a 20-minute drive to the nearest beach.
Built in 1872, it has over 5,300 square feet of living space as well as a basement of 1,800 square feet that has potential to be converted. The hallway has imposing 13-foot ceilings and original floor tiles, there’s two kitchens, two living rooms, a dressing room/office, a wine cellar, and there’s a room in the basement that has a bar. Outside is a large garden and a garage.
Beziers is just a 30-minute drive away and the big city of Montpelier is just an hour away. The list price (fully furnished) is €750,000 ($826,550)…full listing here.
Isigny-sur-Mer, Normandy
Listing Price: €269,000 ($296,500)
Normandy’s rugged coast is home to the famous D-Day beaches. This is also a beautiful region of France that’s often overlooked as a beach destination.
Though Normandy understandably doesn’t get as much attention as beach destinations in the South of France, this region has some of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the country.
Normandy has over 385 miles of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and historic charm. This coast is also dotted with charming villages, fishing ports, and seaside resorts, offering a tranquil escape with fresh seafood, coastal trails, and sweeping views of the English Channel. The beaches here vary from pebbly stretches to wide expanses of golden sand, often backed by dramatic dunes.
And then there’s the historic significance of this part of France, most notably as the site of the D-Day landings during World War II. The beaches of Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword are lined with memorials, museums, and remnants of wartime fortifications.
Less than 10 miles from some of those D-Day beaches is the small seaside town of Isigny-sur-Mer. Famous for its dairy produce—fine butter, cream, cheese and indulgent salted caramels—this seaside town is where the Disney family story began way back in 1066 (Walt paid a visit to his ancestorial home in 1918 when he was in Europe as a driver in the Red Cross Ambulance Corps at the tail end of World War I).
In the center of town, just steps from the sea, is a renovated townhome. Originally two fishermen’s cottages, it now has four bedrooms, one bathroom, a fully fitted kitchen, dining room, and a living room. And the house retains two of the building’s original wooden staircases. You are also walking distance to all the shops and restaurants in town, making it the perfect seaside pied-a-terre. This home is listed for €269,000 ($296,500). You can see the full listing here.
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Listing Price: €349,000 ($384,650)
Known as the rum capital of the world, Martinique has a mix of black-sand and white-sand beaches.
France in the Caribbean…that’s how the island of Martinique is often described. An overseas department of France, Martinique was colonized in the 17th century and today it has the same political status as any mainland French region. This island uses the euro and has representation in French Parliament.
Martinique’s culture is a blend of French and Caribbean influences. Though France is deeply embedded in the island’s language, education, and legal systems, the island also retains a strong Creole identity.
The island’s capital, Fort-de-France, is a bustling city with a blend of colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and cultural institutions like the Schoelcher Library. Martinique’s cuisine is a fusion of French, African, and Creole influences, with dishes like Colombo curry and fresh seafood being local favorites. The island also has a strong rum-making tradition.
It’s in Fort-de-France that my team found this three-bed, two-bath villa. It has a fully fitted kitchen, living area, a dining room, and the surrounding garden is planted with fruit trees. There’s also air conditioning throughout. The terrace is the highlight of this house…the property sits on an elevated plot and so the terrace offers panoramic views over the city and the bay below. This home is listed for €349,000 ($384,650). Full listing here.
Saint-Denis, Rèunion
Listing Price: €350,000 ($385,750)
A melting pot of cultures, Rèunion is in the Indian Ocean and you can own a home here with sea views for less than you might think.
Another of France’s overseas territories is the island of Rèunion in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Much like with Martinique, residents here speak French, use the euro, and embrace their unique Creole culture.
Rèunion is known for its stunning landscapes. The island’s interior is a hiker’s paradise, with dramatic calderas (large cauldron-like hollows that form after volcanic eruptions), rugged mountains, and lush rainforests. The coasts boast black-sand beaches, lagoons and coral reefs, especially along the western coast, which is popular with divers and snorkelers.
Volcanos are big business here with tourists flocking to see the two on the island. The dormant Piton des Neiges is the highest peak in the Indian Ocean, while Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world’s most active volcanos, with frequent eruptions that are a big draw.
Culturally, Rèunion is a blend of African, Indian, Chinese, and European influences, reflecting in the island’s cuisine, music and festivals.
Saint-Denis is the capital of Rèunion, and that’s where you’ll find this three-bed, one-bath house. This bright and airy home has a kitchen, a large living room, and an office/reading area that opens onto a balcony with sea views. Outside there’s a small swimming pool, a garden, a garage, and enough room to park three or four vehicles. It’s currently listed for €350,000 ($385,750) and the full listing is here.
Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe
Listing Price: €1,082,000 ($1.191 million)
Enjoy Caribbean views but with a French twist in this villa on the island of Basse-Terre, in France’s overseas territory of Guadeloupe.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago in the Caribbean and is yet another of France’s overseas departments. The main islands are Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre.
Grande-Terre is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The beach at Sainte-Anne is particularly popular thanks to its calm waters and vibrant market.
Basse-Terre, meanwhile, is best known for the lush Guadeloupe National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to rainforests, waterfalls, and the active volcano, La Soufrière. And it also has its fair share of the picture-perfect white-sand Caribbean beaches.
Guadeloupe offers excellent opportunities for diving, especially around the Pigeon Islands, home to the famous Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve, a paradise for marine life and underwater explorers.
If you have a generous budget, there’s this incredible villa on Basse-Terre’s south coast with views of the Caribbean Sea. It has a living room and library that offer stunning views of the sea, as well as a fully equipped, modern kitchen, three bedrooms, all of which are ensuite and all have access to the outdoor swimming pool.
Outside you have the pool area, which has views of the islands of Les Saintes and Dominica, a garden planted with fruit trees and a garage. It’s being sold fully furnished. The listing price on this is €1,082,000 ($1.191 million), you can see the full listing here.
