Paris travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Paris.
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- Sand beach
- Deck chairs (free)
- Pétanque courts
- Volleyball
- Hammocks
- Food stalls
Paris Plages — Seine Right Bank
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 11am on weekends to claim a lounger before the midday crowds
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- Swimming (designated zone)
- Paddle boards
- Canoes
- Water slides (children)
- Sand
- Hammocks
Paris Plages — Bassin de la Villette
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- 25m outdoor pool (summer)
- Indoor pool (year-round)
- Solarium deck
- Sauna
- Changing rooms
Piscine Joséphine Baker — Floating Pool
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends — the pool has a visitor cap and can reach capacity by midday
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- Rowing boats (€12/hour)
- Pedal boats
- Picnic areas
- Two wooded islands
- Pagoda tea house
Lac Daumesnil — Bois de Vincennes
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted in the lake — this is a boating and picnic spot rather than a beach
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- Wide sandy beach (2 km)
- Promenade des Planches boardwalk
- Beach cabins
- Casinos
- Restaurants
- Horse racing (famous Hippodrome)
Deauville — Côte Fleurie Beach
Editor’s tip. Check tide times before swimming — the Channel tidal range significantly changes the usable beach width
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- Pebble beach
- Iconic chalk cliffs (Falaise d'Aval)
- Cliff path walks
- Restaurants
- Art gardens (Jardins d'Étretat)
Étretat — Alabaster Coast Cliffs and Beach
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes or sandals — the beach is pebble, not sand, and can be uncomfortable barefoot
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- 15 km sandy beach
- Land yachting (char à voile)
- Surf lessons
- Casinos
- Designer shops
- Golf
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage — Côte d'Opale
Editor’s tip. Book land yachting or surf lessons in advance during peak summer weekends
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Paris memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Paris Plages
Annual free event mid-July to late August on the Right Bank Seine embankment between Hôtel de Ville and Pont de Sully. Sand, deck chairs, hammocks, pétanque courts, open-air concerts. Free admission. No swimming in the Seine (current and pollution); swimming zone at Bassin de la Villette only. Nearest Métro: Hôtel de Ville (M1/11), Pont Marie (M7).
Swimming Seine
Swimming in the Seine was banned for over a century but the city has committed to making portions safe for swimming; a designated 'baignade' zone at the Quai d'Iéna was trialled during the 2024 Olympics. Check paris.fr for current swimming authorisations.
Day Trip Beaches
Normandy beaches (Deauville, Étretat) are 2–2.5 hours by train from Paris Saint-Lazare. Le Touquet (Côte d'Opale) is 2h from Gare du Nord. These are Atlantic ocean beaches with tides and strong currents — check tidal tables before swimming.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Paris’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Paris Plages Right Bank?
No, the Seine is not open for swimming along this stretch; the beach is for sunbathing and games only, though nearby floating pools such as Piscine Joséphine Baker offer swimming.
From the Paris Plages — Seine Right Bank editorial.
Is Paris Plages free to visit?
Yes, entry and use of the loungers, hammocks and games areas are free of charge.
From the Paris Plages — Seine Right Bank editorial.
Is Piscine Joséphine Baker open all year?
The indoor pool operates year-round, while the outdoor 25-metre pool with its retractable roof is open only from June to September.
From the Piscine Joséphine Baker — Floating Pool editorial.
Do visitors need a swim cap?
Yes, swim caps are required at most Paris municipal pools including this one.
From the Piscine Joséphine Baker — Floating Pool editorial.
Can visitors swim in Lac Daumesnil?
No, swimming is not permitted in the lake; it is used for boating, walking and picnicking rather than bathing.
From the Lac Daumesnil — Bois de Vincennes editorial.
How much does boat hire cost?
Rowing and pedal boats cost around €12 per hour and are available from April to October.
From the Lac Daumesnil — Bois de Vincennes editorial.
How far is Deauville from Paris?
Deauville is about 215 km from Paris, reachable by SNCF train from Gare Saint-Lazare in roughly 2 hours 10 minutes.
From the Deauville — Côte Fleurie Beach editorial.
Is the beach lifeguard-supervised?
Yes, lifeguards are on duty during the main summer season, roughly June to September.
From the Deauville — Côte Fleurie Beach editorial.