Seaside Hikes in France: 10 Coastal Walks to Discover

Northern France: beautiful hikes with a view of the Channel

On the Channel, three long trails lead from the cliffs of the Opal Coast to the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Missing wide open spaces and sea air? Put on your most comfortable trainers and take the coastal paths to stretch your legs and switch off beside the Channel.

1. The Opal Coast and the GR120

If you have not yet walked the Grand Site des Deux Caps, it may be time to discover it. Follow the coast to admire the landscapes of Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez on part of the GR120 (from Cap Blanc-Nez to Wimereux, 28 km). A lovely walk high above the Channel on cliffs up to 134 m high. It is better not to suffer from vertigo!

2. The Alabaster Coast and the GR21

Let's go down to Normandy, which is full of places as emblematic as they are grand. Walk the Alabaster Coast (Côte d'Albâtre) along the Normandy shoreline, voted best long-distance trail in 2019 (GR21: from Le Tréport to Le Havre, 190 km). This hike gives a stunning view of the coast and of the white chalk cliffs of Étretat, the spot not to miss in Normandy.

3. The GR223 to Mont-Saint-Michel

Another exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site not to be missed: Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay. This jewel is the last stage of the long-distance trail that winds along the Cotentin coastline (GR223), a 446 km route from the historic D-Day beaches to the tide show in the bay. Remember to check the tide times to make the most of it. If you do not have your tide indicator yet, now is the time to treat yourself to one of our tide clocks, the best ally for your seaside outings.

It is up to you to choose the landscapes that will set the rhythm of your coastal walks.

Exceptional walks along the coasts of Brittany and Vendée

Brittany's GR34, the Île d'Yeu and the Vendée corniche offer postcard landscapes, from the customs officers' path to wild coves.

Walking 1 km wears out your shoes... so bring your best hiking boots to explore the west of France and its charming coasts.

4. The customs officers' path (GR34), Brittany

Discover all the beauty of Brittany by taking on the famous customs officers' path, the GR34, 2,000 km long (from Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy to Saint-Nazaire in Loire-Atlantique). It is hard to swallow all those kilometres: choose the routes that interest you and come back later for other landscapes. All along the way, Breton panoramas follow one another, each more beautiful than the last: Cap Fréhel, Cap d'Erquy, the Pink Granite Coast (from Perros-Guirec to Trébeurden), the Crozon peninsula, Pointe du Raz, the wild coast of Quiberon and more. It is easy to see why the Bretons are so proud of their region.

5. Île d'Yeu, Vendée

Now for a change of scenery off the coast of Vendée, on the Île d'Yeu. You will be charmed by the variety of its landscapes: steep cliffs, rich flora, sandy beaches and wild coves. Many paths reveal its beauty.

6. The Vendée corniche

Fancy a short walk along the Vendée corniche? This 3 km seaside walk, between Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, takes you to surprising places such as the Trou du Diable ("Devil's Hole") and the 5 Pineaux (or 5 Monks), sites rich in legends.

(Re)discover the Aquitaine coast through must-do hikes

From the Île de Ré to the Basque Country, the south-west offers salt marshes, dunes, wild rivers and cliffs above the ocean.

You cannot talk about the Atlantic coast without mentioning the south-west and its coastline full of wonders. A lovely region to scramble around in!

7. Île de Ré, Charente-Maritime

From Charente-Maritime to the Basque Country, the coast has many gems. Take your best walking poles to follow the paths of the Île de Ré: salt marshes, the Baleines lighthouse, a nature reserve and the must-see Vauban fortifications, listed as UNESCO World Heritage. The other protected islands of Charente-Maritime will charm you too.

8. The Dune du Pilat, Gironde

You cannot visit Nouvelle-Aquitaine without climbing the famous Dune du Pilat, the highest in Europe (102 m). It gives a superb view of the Arcachon basin and the Banc d'Arguin, a grand sight you will not regret despite your tired muscles. If you have any energy left, walk the crest of the dune (3 km) and enjoy a landscape of pines and ocean. Fancy a swim at the foot of the dune? Be warned: you will have to climb back up.

9. The Courant d'Huchet, Landes

In our own region too, the Landes, many hikes hold lovely nuggets. Let's head into the heart of the "little Amazon" of the Landes: the Courant d'Huchet and its nature reserve. Marvel at this exceptional, exotic landscape, with its lush vegetation and wild fauna. Follow the stream to its mouth for a panorama of dunes, ocean and pine forest.

10. The coastal path, Basque Country

Let's end our walking tour in the Basque Country and its magnificent trails. To enjoy the landscape of the Basque coast, take the coastal path, the must-do hike of the Basque Country, from Bidart to Hendaye (25 km). This walk along the cliff edge gives a magnificent view of the mountains and the ocean all the way. The bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Abbadia estate and the emblematic rocks of the bay of Hendaye mark the route.

And you, what is the most beautiful hike you have done on the Atlantic coast?