Looking for beaches near Paris by train? Paris may be landlocked, but within a few hours by train from Paris you can reach a variety of family-friendly beaches, no car required. These seaside destinations offer sandy shores, calm waters, and plenty of activities for toddlers, kids, and teens alike. To make planning simple, this guide is grouped by train time: quick trips in under 3 hours, comfortable journeys in under 4 hours, longer rides in under 5 hours, and Riviera options that stretch to just under 6 hours. Some are the classics everyone mentions, others are quieter stretches you might not have pinned on a map. Whether you’re packing buckets for toddlers or nothing more than a paperback and sunglasses, beach getaways from Paris are easier than you think.
To help you choose, here’s a summary of top destinations grouped by travel time from Paris.
| ⏱️ Time band | Destination | Region | Jump to |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 3 h | Trouville & Deauville | Normandy | ↘︎ |
| < 3 h | Dieppe | Normandy | ↘︎ |
| < 3 h | Le Touquet-Paris-Plage | Hauts-de-France | ↘︎ |
| < 3 h | Baie de Somme – Le Crotoy | Picardy | ↘︎ |
| < 4 h | La Rochelle & Île de Ré | Charente-Maritime | ↘︎ |
| < 4 h | La Baule | Loire-Atlantique | ↘︎ |
| < 4 h | Arcachon | South-West Coast | ↘︎ |
| < 5 h | Capbreton | Landes Coast | ↘︎ |
| < 6 h | Villefranche-sur-Mer | Côte d’Azur | ↘︎ |
| < 6 h | Antibes | Côte d’Azur | ↘︎ |
Beaches under 3 Hours from Paris
Trouville & Deauville (Normandy)
Why go:
Sister resorts where belle-époque villas meet wide, gently sloping sand. Deauville supplies the iconic parasols and chic boardwalk, while Trouville, just across the little Touques river, adds a bustling fish market and livelier promenade. You can stroll from one atmosphere to the other in under ten minutes, yet both share the same calm, family-friendly shoreline supervised by lifeguards all summer. The sand beaches stretch for several kilometres, and deckchairs and parasols are available to hire in summer.
Train route & travel time:
The quickest direct train from Paris-Saint-Lazare to Trouville-Deauville takes about 2h 10m. From the station it’s a flat 10-15 minute walk, or a 5-minute taxi ride. Door-to-sand in roughly 2h 30mins.
Highlights at a glance:
- Boardwalk & tide pools: Colourful parasols and beach cabins on Les Planches promenade and shallow pools for paddling at low tide.
- Family extras: Aquarium in Trouville; beach clubs that rent toys and run daily activity sessions; a mini-golf course beside the sand; a carousel; and a small tourist train (“Petit Train de Trouville”).
- Food & markets: Plenty of ice-cream kiosks and restaurants, plus a bustling fish market and weekly produce stalls.
- Slow rides: Bike rentals with child seats follow the coast; pony rides clip-clop along the promenade.
Where to stay:
Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy if you want full service, a kids’ club and period charm steps from the sand; or budget-friendly Best Western Hostellerie du Vallon in Trouville, which has an indoor pool and family rooms.
Dieppe (Normandy)
Why go:
France’s first ever seaside resort pairs a cliff-backed esplanade with a long pebble-and-sand beach that reveals vast rock pools at low tide, prime territory for marine treasure hunts. The seafront promenade hosts playgrounds, pop-up cafés and an annual kite festival, while the hill-top castle museum adds a dash of history and sweeping Channel views. Lifeguards monitor the swimming areas during the summer months.
About 8 km west of Dieppe, Varengeville-sur-Mer delivers a very different experience: just secluded coves beneath white cliffs—ideal for shell hunts and rock-pool explorations. It’s more of an off-the-beaten path choice for families in case you want to explore beyond the beach in Dieppe.
Train route & travel time:
From Paris-Saint-Lazare, the train to Dieppe (with a quick change at Rouen) takes about 2h 15mins. From Dieppe station, the beach is a stroller-friendly 15-minute walk. To reach Varengeville-sur-Mer, hop in a taxi at Dieppe station; the ride takes about 15 minutes. Door-to-sand lands around 2h 30mins.
Highlights at a glance:
- Tide-pool playground: At low tide the foreshore turns into a natural aquarium filled with crabs, tiny fish and shell treasures.
- All-weather cover: Les Bains de Dieppe, a heated seawater pool complex with slides, sits right on the beach.
- Promenade and beach fun: Modern playground, cycle path for rollerblading and cycling, mini-golf, go-karting, windsurfing, kayaking, outdoor cafés and a summer carousel.
- Food & culture: Seafood restaurants in the harbour, a Saturday market, and the cliff-top Château-Musée showcasing maritime art.
Where to stay:
Mercure Dieppe La Présidence is a beachfront hotel offering family rooms and panoramic sea views, just steps from the promenade and beach.
Budget picks: Hôtel de la Plage, a friendly three-star facing the esplanade and Villa Castel Chambres B&B 10 minutes walk from the beach.
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (Hauts-de-France)
Why go:
On France’s northern Channel coast in the Pas-de-Calais, Le Touquet spreads out a vast, dune-backed stretch of pale sand where the water stays shallow and gentle well into the tide. Belle-Époque villas and a pine-fringed promenade give the beach an easy mix of style and seaside calm. It’s ideal for unfurling a blanket, flying a kite or watching the sky turn pink over the dunes. It feels a world away from Paris, yet the train journey hardly fills a morning.
Train route & travel time:
From Paris-Gare du Nord, the fastest train to Étaples–Le Touquet takes about 2h 10mins, though most journeys are around 2.5 hours with one connection. From Étaples, a free shuttle bus or a five-minute taxi covers the five kilometres into town, putting you on the sand roughly 2h 40mins after leaving Paris.
Highlights at a glance:
- Dune playground: Kilometres of firm sand for sand-yachting lessons, sandcastle building and kite buggies.
- Beach clubs & rides: Club zones on the beach with trampolines, daily kids’ games and a summer funfair on the promenade
- Forest & bikes: 25 km of flat cycle paths thread through pines to a canopy adventure park and lighthouse lookout.
Where to stay:
Novotel Thalassa Le Touquet is a good pick for families. It/s directly on the beach and has an indoor pool, plus family rooms. Another option is the mid-range Hôtel Bristol that’s located just 100 metres from the beach.
Baie de Somme – Le Crotoy (Picardy)
Why go:
Le Crotoy is a former fishing port on the quiet eastern edge of the Baie de Somme, famous for its big, south-facing strand of fine sand. The bay wraps around the beach, blocking most winds, so the water is usually calm and the sand warms quickly in the sun. Twice a day the tide redraws the scene: at low tide the sea retreats to expose a huge sheet of rippled sand, then rolls back in to deliver postcard sunsets over the open bay. Add the village’s time-worn waterfront houses and wide sea views, and you have a relaxed, distinctly old-world setting for a day or weekend escape.
Train route & travel time:
The direct train from Paris-Gare du Nord to Noyelles sur Mer takes about 1hr and 45 mins. From the station you can take the 20-min heritage steam train (summer) or 10-min taxi to Le Crotoy. Door-to-sand in about 2hrs 30mins.
Highlights at a glance:
- Sheltered south-facing sand: Fine beach with calm water and plenty of space to spread out.
- Tide-shaped scenery: At low tide the sea withdraws to reveal vast sandflats for barefoot walks.
- Vintage steam train: A heritage railway loops around the bay, giving you a scenic ride to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme without touching a car.
Where to stay:
Les Tourelles is a family-friendly beachfront hotel with a charming restaurant and great location to explore the area.
Beaches under 4 Hours from Paris
La Rochelle & Île de Ré (Charente-Maritime)
Why go:
On France’s Charente-Maritime coast, La Rochelle sits three TGV hours from Paris and feels built for car-free travellers: its old harbour is ringed by cafés, while a 12-minute local train drops you on the broad sands of Châtelaillon-Plage. Cross the 3-km bridge by bus and you reach the Île de Ré, an island where bikes outnumber cars and every village hides a different beach like family-friendly Gros Jonc, as well as Plage des Gollandières with its water activities, and sunset favourite La Conche. Flat cycle paths join them all, so within four hours of leaving Paris you can check into a white-washed cottage, hop on a hire-bike and choose a new stretch of sand each day without ever turning a car key.
Train route & travel time:
The high-speed train from Paris–Montparnasse to La Rochelle takes just under 3 hours. Once in La Rochelle station, you can get a bus or a taxi (20-30mins) to the island of Île de Ré, or the regional train to Châtelaillon-Plage in about 12mins (it’s just two stops). Door-to-sand in about 3hrs 30mins.
Highlights at a glance:
- Cycle the island Bike rentals are everywhere, and car-free paths connect every village in Île de Ré.
- Choose a beach: Lots of beaches to explore and some are safer for kids than others like Plage de Gros Jonc with water activities like surfing and bodyboarding.
- Family extras: Beach clubs for kids, donkey rides, Aquarium La Rochelle.
Where to stay:
Île de Ré is extremely popular for summer so book your accommodation well in advance. If you want to stay in the town of La Rochelle, the Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites is on the harbour and with an easy access to Île de Ré.
La Baule (Loire-Atlantique)
Why go:
La Baule-Escoublac, usually shortened to La Baule, is a famed Atlantic resort boasting one of Europe’s longest beaches: an eight-kilometre arc of golden sand that sweeps around a gentle, sheltered bay. Protected by the Guérande peninsula, the sea stays shallow and calm, warming quickly so you can wade knee-deep far from shore. A broad, car-free promenade traces the entire curve, backed by Belle-Époque villas, umbrella-pines, and beach clubs that rent striped tents, deckchairs, and even heated paddling pools. Lifeguard posts, freshwater showers, and cafés punctuate the sand every few hundred metres, keeping the day easy to manage.
Train route & travel time:
Direct high-speed trains run from Paris-Montparnasse to La Baule-Escoublac in about 2h 55m; most year-round services take 3h 10 –3 h 30m with one quick stop. The station sits in the town centre, a 10-minute walk (or five-minute taxi) from the seafront. Door-to-sand in about 3h 30mins.
Highlights at a glance:
- Endless soft sand: Eight kilometres of fine, south-facing beach with lifeguards and gentle, sun-warmed shallows.
- Kid-friendly extras: Seafront play areas, water sports, mini-golf and pony rides run all summer, with plenty of cafés for quick snack breaks.
- Nearby attractions: Cycle 15 minutes to the medieval walled town of Guérande or the wild Brière salt-marsh for a break from beach time.
Where to stay:
Hôtel Barrière L’Hermitage is an iconic 5-star right on the beach that is extremely family-friendly. The hotel runs supervised clubs for children of every age, from infants to teens, while adults can unwind in the on-site spa and wellness centre.
Arcachon (Southwest Coast)
Why go:
Arcachon sits on the sheltered Bay of Arcachon, just southwest of Bordeaux, and pairs lagoon-calm beaches with Belle-Époque seaside charm. Its main strands are wide and gently sloping, so children can wade far out before the water deepens, and in midsummer the bay can feel almost Mediterranean-warm. Along the waterfront, a promenade lined with ice-cream stalls, an in-season observation wheel and vintage carousels adds a holiday buzz.
Need a change of pace? A 15-minute bus or boat ride takes you to Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, where you can hike up for Atlantic views and run or roll back down the soft sand. Boats also loop past oyster beds or cross the bay to Cap Ferret in about 30 minutes; the peninsula offers calm bay coves on one side and surf-washed Atlantic beaches on the other.
Train route & travel time:
From Paris-Montparnasse, take the high speed train to Bordeaux (just over 2h) and connect to the 50-minute train to Arcachon for a total journey of about 3h 15 m. In summer a direct TGV covers Paris to Arcachon in 3 hours. The station sits 500m from the waterfront, so you can walk to the sand in 10 minutes. Door-to-beach in a little over three hours.
Highlights at a glance:
- Lagoon-calm bay: Wide, gently sloping beaches where kids can wade far out; sandbanks emerge at low tide for “island” play.
- Dune du Pilat adventure: A ten-minute bus or boat ride gets you to Europe’s tallest sand dune – climb up, race down, enjoy the panorama.
- Promenade & boat hops: Carousels, ice-cream stalls and easy boat trips to Cap Ferret or the bay’s oyster beds add variety to beach days.
Where to stay:
Hôtel Le B d’Arcachon is highly rated for families – it’s positioned right on Arcachon’s beachfront by the pier and offers modern family rooms. The location can’t be beat with its direct access to the beach. For apartment-style stays, Residhome Arcachon Plaza provides suites with kitchenettes (handy for prepping snacks or meals) and is close to both the train and the beach.
Beaches under 5 Hours from Paris
Capbreton (Landes Coast, Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Why go:
On France’s south-west Landes Coast, just north of Biarritz, Capbreton mixes surf-town energy with long, family-friendly sand. Its main stretch, Plage Centrale, starts beside the harbour and is lifeguarded all summer; the water shelves gently enough for small children, while confident swimmers can stroll north to stronger Atlantic breaks for lessons and body-boarding. An old wooden pier, the Estacade, reaches into the bay for sunset walks and dolphin-spotting, and pine-scented bike paths link cafés, a skatepark and neighbouring Hossegor’s lake.
Train route & travel time:
From Paris-Montparnasse, take the direct high speed train to Bayonne (around 4 hours), then switch to the 15-minute train to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, then hop on the bus or a taxi for 10 minutes to reach Plage Centrale. Door-to-sand is around 4h 40m.
Highlights at a glance:
- Choice of 7 beaches: Plage Centrale is the town’s more “urban” beach, facing the city, yet it stays calm and feels sheltered by the surrounding dunes.
- Pier & harbour scene: Promenade walks on the Estacade and fresh-catch stalls on the quay.
- Kid-friendly extras: Water sports, bike rentals and summer markets.
Where to stay:
Baya Hôtel & Spa sits directly on the beach with family rooms and sea-view breakfasts.
Beaches under 6 Hours from Paris
At just under five hours by direct TGV from Paris-Gare de Lyon, the French Riviera becomes a realistic long-weekend target—no flights, no luggage rules, just a smooth high-speed ride to warmth and palm-lined promenades. Among the beaches near Paris by train, this stretch offers dozens of public and private strands, but true sand is patchy and not every bay suits younger swimmers. Below you’ll find the Riviera spots that tick the key family boxes: mostly-sandy shorelines, calm or well-patrolled water, easy rail or ferry access, and plenty for children to do once the buckets are packed away.
Villefranche-sur-Mer (Côte d’Azur)
Why go:
On the coast just seven minutes by local train east of Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer wraps around a deep, south-facing bay protected by rocky points at each end. Its main beach, Plage des Marinières, mixes fine sand with small pebbles and slopes so gently that even toddlers can paddle safely. The water is clear and usually calm, and lifeguards watch the swim zone all summer. Step off the sand and you’re in narrow lanes of pastel houses, seafood cafés and ice cream stalls.
Train route & travel time:
Take the direct high speed train from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Nice-Ville (about 5h 40mins) and switch to the 7-minute train to Villefranche-sur-Mer . From the station it’s a flat two-minute walk down to the sand, putting total door-to-beach time at roughly 5 hours 45 minutes.
Highlights at a glance:
- Calm, clear bay: South-facing, lifeguarded water that warms quickly and stays sheltered.
- Postcard setting: Beach backed by candy-coloured houses and terraced gardens.
- Easy excursions: Five-minute train ride to Nice for museums, or a short bus up to medieval Eze if you need a break from the sand.
Where to stay:
Welcome Hôtel sits right on the harbour with rooms and balconies over the bay. The hotel provides baby equipment (bottle warmers, high chairs, baby baths etc).
Antibes (Côte d’Azur)
Why go:
Mid-way between Nice and Cannes, Antibes wraps its 16th-century ramparts around a postcard harbour filled with super-yachts, then opens onto two rare stretches of Riviera sand. Plage du Ponteil and neighbouring Plage de Salis form a gentle, south-facing bay roped off for swimmers, so the water stays calm and shallow. It’s perfect for small children, paddleboards, or an easy morning lap. Between swims you can wander the promenade for ice cream, detour through the old town’s Provençal market, or climb the bastion walls to the Picasso Museum for sea-view art. You get Riviera colour without the crush of Cannes.
Train route & travel time:
The direct high-speed train from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Antibes takes about 5h 20mins. From the station, follow the waterfront promenade 15 minutes (or ride the local bus) to Plage du Ponteil. Door-to-beach in a little over 5h 30mins.
Highlights at a glance:
- Calm, sandy bays: Fine sand, lifeguards in season, and gently shelving water ideal for families.
- Choice of beaches: Ponteil and Salis have gentle sandy beaches; Juan-les-Pins is a short bus ride away with lively beaches
- Family fun: Aquasplash water park and Adventure Golf are easy to reach.
Where to stay:
Résidence Port-Prestige is a family-friendly aparthotel with pools and kitchenettes beside the harbour. There is also Hôtel Le Ponteil, a five-minute walk from the beach, offering family rooms in a quiet garden setting.
Final thoughts:
From two-hour hops to Normandy sands to the five-hour dash for Riviera sunshine, these beaches near Paris by train are all just a rail ride and a short stroll from the city.. Pick the distance that fits your weekend, step off the carriage, and you’re on safe, sandy shore without ever touching a car. These places fill up fast with French holiday-makers, so grab your tickets as soon as they go on sale!
If you’ve been to any of the beaches in France or have others to suggest, share in the comments below. If you plan to travel to France, then check out other destinations here to inspire your next trip.
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