Our seaside weekend ideas in France

Our seaside weekend ideas in France

1. La Baule | Hôtel Barrière L'Hermitage La Baule

Just three hours from Paris, L'Hermitage La Baule stands out as one of the emblematic jewels of the Atlantic coast. Facing the ocean, directly on one of La Baule's finest beaches, this 5-star hotel, built in 1926, blends classic elegance and contemporary comfort, with the atmosphere of a grand seaside home.

Having recently joined the Leading Hotels of the World collection, the hotel boasts 200 rooms and suites ranging in size from 25 to 80 m², most of which open onto the sea. The Presidential Suite, which can accommodate up to four guests, boasts a superb 28 m² terrace. Some of the rooms are interconnected and offer a refined, elegant decor inspired by the Breton spirit: shades of blue reminiscent of the waves, white sand and furniture with delicate marine accents.

On the gastronomic front, Ciro's , La Baule's restaurant celebrates the flavors of the ocean with a marine menu to share, featuring seafood platters, salt-crusted sea bass and linguine with blue lobster. Le Pavillon, meanwhile, features seasonal produce in a chic, refreshing setting. The Bar extends the experience with a fine selection of grands crus and signature cocktails.

L'Hermitage La Baule also boasts an Augustinus Bader Spa with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, hammam and fitness center. Treatments and massages are based on regenerative products from the German eco-luxury brand.

What do we particularly like? The perfect blend of relaxation and experience. The hotel offers a wide range of activities: bike rental, tennis lessons at the Tennis Country Club Barrière La Baule (with 24 tennis courts, two beach tennis courts and four padel courts) and privileged access to the Barrière La Baule international golf course, the largest in France, with its three courses, training center, proshop, golf school and restaurant.

Hotel Barrière L'Hermitage La Baule
200 rooms and suites, prices from 340 euros
5 esplanade Lucien Barrière, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac
Official website

2. Presqu'île de Saint-Tropez | Hôtel La Ponche

A legendary Saint-Tropez hotel immortalized in Et Dieu... créa la femme, La Ponche remains one of the last living witnesses to the village's golden age, when the icons of the Nouvelle Vague (from Françoise Sagan to Brigitte Bardot, not forgetting Michel Piccoli and Jean-Paul Sartre) made it their refuge. After 80 years under the management of Simone Duckstein, the seaside hotel was taken over in early 2021 by Nicolas Saltiel, founder of Chapitre Six Hotels. A smooth transition, guided by the desire to preserve the essence of the place while infusing it with a discreet modernity. And with good reason: the establishment retains its timeless charm while unveiling a redesigned silhouette: 21 rooms, including 5 suites, and refined details such as a black and white marble checkerboard, lithographs, a bookcase and round brass keys.

Under the direction of Fabrizio Casiraghi, famous for his iconic renovations, La Ponche has become a temple of casual chic. Highlights include a Mediterranean restaurant run by chef Simon Pinault, a bar that pays homage to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and a spa that organizes numerous yoga classes and retreats and offers PERS treatments. Perfectly located, the hotel is within walking distance of the vibrant streets of Saint-Tropez, while preserving a rare intimacy. A perfect haven for exploring the village on foot.

We particularly like? The hotel's must-see room, number 8, with views over the rooftops of Saint-Tropez, the citadel, the bell tower and the Mediterranean.

Hotel La Ponche Saint-Tropez
21 keys, prices from 474 euros
5 rue des Remparts, 83990 Saint-Tropez

3. Brittany | Hôtel Barrière Le Grand Hôtel Dinard

Heir to a rich history, Le Grand Hôtel Dinard embodies the timeless elegance of the Emerald Coast. Taken over by the Barrière group, this jewel has been restored to its former splendor, perpetuating the tradition of a resort prized by the English nobility, Dinard once even being dubbed the "Brighton of Brittany". Alexandre Danan's contemporary renovation highlights Dinard's unique light with light, soothing hues in perfect harmony with the marine environment.

Its granite walls adorned with white stone, refined moldings and period elevator recall Dinard's aristocratic heritage. The 82 rooms and 4 suites, punctuated by Second Empire touches, offer spectacular views of the sea or gardens, some with private balconies overlooking Baie de la Vicomté. The 333 Café offers gastronomic moments, from afternoon tea to late-night cocktails, while the George V restaurant shines among the region's gourmet tables.

What do we particularly like? The wellness area, with its superb indoor pool and Shiseido spa.

Hôtel Barrière Le Grand Hôtel Dinard
86 keys, from 254 euros per night
46 avenue George V, 35801 Dinard
Official website

4. Emerald Coast | Le Nessay, an atmospheric hotel in Brittany

Le Nessay, an adorable late 19th-century château with turrets, is the ideal stopover for an iodized break on the bay of Saint-Briac-sur-Mer. A perfect base for visiting Brittany, situated at the center of a tiny peninsula surrounded by the ocean, you'll have your feet firmly in the water, and can enjoy that much fantasized impression of being at the end of the world... only 2h30 from Paris.

Metamorphosed into a 4-star hotel, it has been designed as a family home, with 17 rooms and suites in pastel colors and cozy beds, each with its own identity. The intimate atmosphere invites you to relax, with vacation photos on the walls, pairs of rubber boots in the lobby, and a distinctive antique decor. To make you feel "at home", bicycles are available on request for exploring the surrounding area.

Barely back from our stroll, we're caught up in the energy of the bar, which invites us to toast over a cocktail while picking from the assortment of tapas to share. But if the truffle croque-monsieur proves highly addictive, save your appetite for dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Entrusted to chef Thomas Estrader, who has earned his spurs in some of the world's finest Michelin-starred restaurants, the menu showcases local seafood products, highlighted by plates that combine delicacy and originality. Lemust: the all-you-can-eat dessert buffet, featuring a dozen cakes from Pâtisserie du Nessay, a hotel-owned boutique in the center of the village that has nothing to envy the best Parisian patisseries. There's no doubt you'll return for a visit on your way to the station!

We particularly like? A little extra for families wishing to have communicating rooms: the configuration of the rooms in the château's outbuildings means that you can create real apartments, with 2 to 4 bedrooms. One of our favorite hotels in Brittany.

Hôtel Le Nessay
17 rooms and suites, from €250 per night.
Boulevard du Bechay, 35800 Saint-Briac-sur-Mer

5. Saint-Tropez Peninsula | Lily of the Valley, the unspoilt South, far from bling clichés

On this unspoilt stretch of the Var coastline, where the Mediterranean spreads out silently at the foot of a pine forest caressed by the waves, this Côte d'Azur hotel establishes itself in the landscape of Cap Lardier. Overlooking the long Gigaro beach in La Croix-Valmer, this 5-star address designed by Philippe Starck rises discreetly in the middle of a protected estate. A tired but enchanting former 3-star hotel has given way to an eco-responsible sanctuary, conceived as a village where nature dictates the height of the walls. No gaudy concrete or summer crowds, just the murmur of the waves, the scent of the garrigue and a lifestyle focused on well-being.

Both the hotel's layout and its natural surroundings invite you to relax in style during a weekend by the sea. From your room, a ballet of light invites itself every morning over the Mediterranean. Raw materials such as wood, stone and rattan interact with marble and ethnic cushions to create a refined aesthetic. At the Vista, chef Vincent Maillard sublimates local produce in a light, elegant seasonal Mediterranean cuisine, served facing the Golden Isles.

Lily of the Valley's speciality is wellness and well-being, with a huge fitness center, a wide range of outdoor sports and a spa offering a plethora of treatments, providing expert, made-to-measure care. This wellness aspect is also reflected in the cuisine, which will delight responsible gourmets with light, tasty Mediterranean dishes made with local produce from the nearest farm and mill. Enjoy it guilt-free, lounging by the pool or on the 180° terrace overlooking the Riviera.

What do we particularly like? The Shape Club, a 2,000 m² temple to wellness where sport, nutrition and top-of-the-range treatments make up an à la carte program. The beach club, located at the end of Gigaro beach, just a few steps away, where you can enjoy the sea in all its glory.

Lily of the Valley
38 rooms and 6 suites, prices from 650 euros per night
Colline Saint-Michel, Quartier de Gigaro, 83420 La Croix-Valmer

6. Deauville | Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy, Belle Époque icon by the English Channel

With its green half-timbering, elegant turrets and distinctive roof, the Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy is much more than a 5-star hotel: it's a veritable emblem of Deauville. Built in 1912, it soon conquered the Parisian elite and provided the backdrop for the passions of Claude Lelouch's cult film Un homme et une femme. Even today, the Deauville hotel remains a popular destination for international celebrities such as George Clooney, Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep.

After a 2016 renovation orchestrated by Alexandre Danan and Nathalie Ryan, the Deauville spa hotel blends light and modernity while preserving its heritage: 271 rooms and 40 suites adorned with toile de Jouy, skirted beds and spectacular views of the sea or inner courtyard. The Spa features an indoor pool, hammam, sauna and marine treatments, while younger guests can enjoy the Studio by Petit VIP, or the Babiwi from 10 weeks.

On the gastronomic front, Deauville's La Belle Époque restaurant pays tribute to Normandy's terroir: snails from Pré d'Auge, pork chop from Yvetot, or sole meunière for two, with live entertainment during service. The hotel bar, with its fireplace and British ambience, invites you to take a chic break, where Winston Churchill himself was a regular. A legendary address where Belle Époque elegance still flourishes.

Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy
271 rooms including 48 suites, prices from 344 euros per night
38 rue Jean Mermoz, 14804 Deauville
Official website

7. Vermeille Coast | Les Roches Brunes, idleness in Collioure

Mountains tumbling into the sea, a light that inspired painters such as Matisse, Braque and Picasso. Welcome to the Côte Vermeille, home to the picturesque villages of Collioure, Port-Vendres and Banyuls-sur-mer. Built around a bay with turquoise waters, Collioure enjoys 320 days of sunshine a year, so even in winter, you can stroll through the narrow streets of the Mouré district, on the Boramar beach or visit the Château Royal, former residence of the kings of Majorca.

Hidden from view on the other side of the bay, Hôtel Les Roches Brunes provides a discreet setting for 18 rooms, literally with their feet in the water, including 3 suites with terraces. Surrounded by a lush garden of cacti, succulents, umbrella pines, tamarinds and olive trees, the southwestern hotel also serves as the stage for the Mamma restaurant, which sources its ingredients from local producers listed on the front page of the menu. Further on, the Corniche road slaloms between vineyards, famous for their sweet wines, and sea views, until it reaches Cerbère on the Spanish border.

Les Roches Brunes
18 keys from €160 per night
15 route de Port-Vendres, 66190 Collioure

8. Bassin d'Arcachon | La Guitoune, arty weekend by the sea

Just a stone's throw from the beach and the Dune du Pilat, La Guitoune is the ideal address for a weekend by the sea on the Bassin d'Arcachon. Behind its Basque-Arcachon façade, the hotel is reborn in an explosion of color and pattern by Bambi Sloan. Lobsters on the carpets, seventies posters and antique furniture create a delightfully vintage atmosphere.

The 19 rooms and 5 self-contained bungalows are decorated in a more muted style, where the dominant white blends with playful details such as leopard rugs, orange lamps and Bakelite telephones. The restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner, serves seasonal Italian cuisine, which can be enjoyed on the terrace or at the bar after a day on the beach. For the more active, a range of coach-led activities, including forest outings, cycling or relaxation on the dune, complete the experience.

La Guitoune
24 rooms, prices from 160 euros per room
95 boulevard de l'Océan, 33115 Pyla-sur-Mer

9. Dune du Pilat | La Co(o)rniche, a grand hotel to match the setting

Set against Europe's highest dune, La Co(o)rniche was opened in 2010. The result of the transformation of a 1930s neo-Basque house into a five-star hotel, it attracts a refined clientele from the four corners of the globe for its breathtaking views and ultra-sophisticated decor. While the panoramic view of the Bay of Arcachon attracts the crowds, it's Philippe Starck's layout - a distinguished designer who needs no introduction - that brings the most aesthete to La Co(o)rniche.

Very attached to the Dune du Pilat, which he describes as " one of the most beautiful places in the world ", the designer has revitalized the premises by borrowing the spirit of an oyster cellar - giving it an undeniable warmth. Raw wood, colorful walls, comfortable sofas, and a fresco by his daughter Ara Starck on the bar ceiling: the establishment immerses visitors in a convivial atmosphere. All the more so if you sit down at the hotel's delicious table, completely redone and redecorated by Philippe Starck in 2021, which offers an array of tapas and seafood with a vacation flavour at lunchtime, and more sophisticated dishes in the evening, featuring local produce. Conviviality is the order of the day, with the kitchen opening onto the restaurant, where large wooden tables blend with mismatched antique chairs.

Initially conceived as a summer hotel, with its infinity pool and XXL terrace, La Co(o)rniche was recently extended to welcome guests all year round. New communal areas have been designed by Philippe Starck, including a winter lounge for tea, and a work area that almost makes chores pleasant. The establishment also boasts 18 new rooms located in cabins on stilts, similar to the little oyster houses in the village of L'Herbe. So don't hesitate: summer or winter, La Co(o)rniche is always a good idea for a weekend by the sea.

What do we particularly like? The panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean from the huge bay windows of the bedrooms in the main house.

La Co(o)rniche
From €450 per night.
46 Avenue Louis Gaume, 33115 La Teste-de-Buch

10. Île d'Yeu | Les Hautes Mers, an intimate seaside retreat

On the wild and poetic island of Yeu, Les Hautes Mers offers a haven of peace just 45 minutes by boat from the Vendée coast. Housed in the former Caillou Blanc, this 17-room boutique hotel designed by local architect Luc Brochard nestles just a stone's throw from Ker Chalon beach. The buildings, a blend of whitewashed facades and exposed stone, recall the island's natural elegance, while the interior decor - sober and bright - is inspired by the nautical world: Pierre Frey fabrics, whale statuettes, tide clocks and miniature suspended sailing boats.

A heated swimming pool overlooking the ocean and the Vent Debout restaurant (seasonal dishes such as sea bass ceviche or suckling lamb shoulder) run by chef Lou Marquis enhance the experience. To extend the island's charm, bike rides take you to secret coves such as Pointe des Corbeaux, or to the Bar de la Meule, an authentic annex where the spirit of the sea reigns. One of the most charming hotels on the Ile d'Yeu.

Les Hautes Mers
17 keys, prices from 230 euros per night
27 rue Pierre Henry, 85350 L'Île-d'Yeu