Many people dream of being able to live near the sea, but find that French property prices near the coast are usually out of budget. With 2,848 miles (4,583 kilometers) of coastline, France can be very generous with the options in this regard.
A number of French coastal towns offer beautiful beaches, affordable property, a vibrant local culture and are great budget-friendly places to live in France.
These locations present some really good options to anyone wanting to live in France near the beach without breaking the bank.
Here are our suggestions of eight amazing budget-friendly towns in France near the beach – plus our reasons why they are a great place to live!
1. Sète
Sète (pronounced ‘Set’) is situated in the Occitanie region, on the Mediterranean coast in the South of France. For centuries, Sète has been a pretty fishing port. It has been given the nickname “the Venice of Languedoc” because it has an extensive network of canals – including the Canal-du-Midi. The town also has the Étang de Thau, an enclosed, saltwater lake used for mussel and oyster farming.
Sète has 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of gorgeous sandy beaches that stretch as far as the water park of Marseillan Plage. Besides the fishing port, there is also the nearby seaport that handles larger fishing boats, cargo ships and cruise ships.
The culture in Sète is vibrant with markets, festivals – and even jousting competitions. The area enjoys good weather, making the area popular all year round. There are plenty of different boat trips to enjoy, great seafood and a fish auction. If you enjoy walking, there are several hiking routes to the summit of Mont St. Clair.
€250,000 ($276,000) will buy a beautiful two-bedroom apartment in the town with a good view. Further out of town, the prices are even lower, making it one of the budget-friendly places in France near the beach.
2. La Rochelle
La Rochelle stands at the mouth of the Charente estuary and overlooks the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic. It is delightful with a charming old port (Vieux Port) with its two 14th century towers. There are other good examples to discover of medieval architecture.
La Rochelle has some amazing beaches. Plage de la Concurrence is just a few minutes’ walk and Plage de Minimes about 30 minutes. There are countless other beaches within easy cycling or driving distance.
La Rochelle enjoys a mild oceanic climate – without great extremes in temperature in Summer or Winter. The town is quite compact and is ideal for getting around on foot or by bike. There is a good rail link to Bordeaux too.
La Rochelle has a long seafaring tradition as it is the only deep water port on the French Atlantic coast. If you love boat trips, there are the islands of Île de Ré to the north and Île d’Oléron to the south to explore.
The daily market in the center of the town sells meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables. La Rochelle is famous for its seafood and there is an abundance of it. The favorite is a plate of oysters served with a glass of chilled white wine. There are also many rustic local dishes to try.
The town has a good bus network, but everyone cycles as there are 280 km (174 miles) of bike lanes. All the water sports and good fishing are available. Unusually for France, there are a couple of 9-hole and 18-hole golf courses – all within an hour drive.
This area really does have much to offer as one of the budget-friendly places in France near the beach. Rental prices are good, with studios averaging €500 ($552) per month and two-bedroom apartments in the center of town about €1,500 ($1,656).
If you plan to buy property, you will find it cheaper outside La Rochelle but, according to local estate agents, the lowest price per sq. meter for properties on the outskirts of the town is €3,000 ($3,300), with the average price being €5,800 ($6,400).
3. Narbonne
The historic town of Narbonne has Roman roots, is close to the Mediterranean Sea, and is a budget-friendly place to live in France. Narbonne is situated in Aude in the Languedoc region and has a relaxed and slower pace of life.
The town combines its cultural heritage with relaxing vibes and good weather, perfectly. Narbonne is where the first Roman road in France was built – the Via Domitia – and remains of the road can still be seen today.
Narbonne was once a port, but in the 15th century silted up. Today, the Canal de la Robine leads to the new port on the coast and to the famous Canal du Midi.
The center of Narbonne has recently been renovated and includes Les Halles, which is its vibrant covered market. There is also a theater, cinema and numerous events all year through. The town is situated in a wine-making area and stands close to other wine regions too.
Narbonne has large sandy beaches that don’t get as busy as those in the French Riviera. You can enjoy five kilometers (3 miles) of sandy beaches, a marina and the Massif de la Clape – a natural reserve with rocky, plateau, pine groves and endless vineyards.
Property prices are good with a two-bedroom house or apartment in the heart of Narbonne costing €200,000 ($220,000). Larger village houses on the outskirts of town are priced from €250,000 ($275,000).
Narbonne certainly has plenty of potential as one of the budget -friendly places to live in France near the beach.
4. Le Grau-du-Roi
Nestling in the Gard department in the Southern France is, Le Grau-du-Roi. Once a small fishing village, today, Le Grau-du-Roi is a popular seaside resort.
The town is a wonderful assortment of lagoons, water channels, salt-pans and marshes. There are 19 kilometers (12 miles) of sandy beaches (six of them in the town plus the six-mile Espiguette beach – just south of the town). The best news is that it is also one of the most affordable towns in the area.
Le Grau-du-Roi offers great water sports and sits on the edge of the Camargue with all its hiking routes. There are beautiful flamingos to see in the marshy areas and the famous white Camargue horses.
There is plenty to do here, with all the water sports and deep sea fishing, as well as exploring inland on horseback, cycle or foot.
Le Grau-du-Roi stands on both banks of an estuary and has a swing bridge for crossing. The left bank is the main area with pedestrianized shopping streets, restaurants and quays filled with fishing boats. The right bank has the markets, a place to buy fish straight from the fishermen and a popular cinema.
There are museums, Camargue winemakers, a saltwater aquarium and live music, three evenings a week. The town’s annual festival is in September and includes the running of the bulls and colorful music.
While the center of the town can be pricey, properties a little further out can be more reasonably priced, but nevertheless, it is one of the most affordable places in France to live near the beach.
5. Saint-Malo
St Malo is in the Brittany region in northern France. It is a charming old walled town with great architecture and a beautiful cathedral. Its beaches are beautiful and go for miles – which is great for walkers.
The climate is oceanic with warm summers and mild winters, but in contrast, can be rainy in the spring and autumn. St Malo is compact so it is easy to get around on foot. The town is known for its excellent seafood.
Life is relaxed and there is a vibrant arts scene with galleries, music concerts and theatrical performances to enjoy. If you enjoy water sports there is a marina with good sailing. The surrounding countryside is great for exploring on foot or by bike.
The Bretons are welcoming and there are many different cultures in the town. The markets are excellent as Brittany is a rich agricultural area.
Brittany is well known for its dairy products. It is fun to try the different local cheeses in the markets! The main downside is that St Malo does get really busy in the summer months.
The property prices by the coast are noticeably higher than just a short distance inland, so this could be a consideration.
Properties vary too. While apartments are the norm in the town center, closer to the coast, there are stone cottages with slate roofs and brightly-colored shutters. Saint-Malo certainly has much to offer as one of the budget-friendly places to live in France near the beach.
6. Sausset-les-Pins
This lovely town has a pretty port surrounded by pine trees, small pebbled beaches that are great for surfing and large sandy beaches for relaxing.
Sausset-les Pins is located on the Côte Bleu, 30 minutes from Marseilles in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Marseilles can get really busy and as a result is a popular back route that is ideal for hikers, cyclists and horse riders.
If you are seeking a good range of sports, the town offers water sports, hiking, bike rides, diving, golf courses and horse riding. Sausset-les-Pins is popular for its big game sport fishing. There is plenty of seafood on the menus in local restaurants.
There are two markets: one in the port on a Thursday morning and the other in the town center every Sunday. The big sea festival and craft fair is in January.
In July and August you can enjoy the sardine and tuna festivals as well as the fishermen’s festival. There is always something going on in the town.
Rental properties are available, but if you would like to buy in Sausset-les-Pins, the lowest price per sq. meter is €3,500 ($3,800) and the average price is €4,800 ($5,300).
7. Collioure
Collioure is located near the Spanish border in the Pyrénées-Orientales. As a result, it was once a fortified fishing port. It is a picturesque town with cobbled streets, a rich history and beautiful Mediterranean views.
The town lies about 30km (18.5 miles) from Perpignan which has all the necessary amenities. Although it is not a great distance from the popular Côte d’Azur, Collioure is in fact more affordable and offers a unique blend of French and Catalan culture – with a unique climate for year-round outdoor living.
The town offers its residents the choice of mountains or the sea. For beach lovers there is Saint-Vincent beach, d’en Baux beach plus many small coves tare ideal for swimming and water sports and for those who enjoy walking and cycling, the mountains beckon.
There is plenty to do besides beach time, with religious and cultural festivals throughout the year.
Colliourehat has 30 art shops and galleries, as it is much loved by artists because of its special clear light. The local food is delicious, a fusion of French and Spanish. Additionally, the area produces good wines too. Transport is convenient, with both good rail and road links.
8. Les Sables-d’Olonne
Les Sables-d’Olonne is a charming town on the Vendée Atlantic coast, south-west of Nantes. It has good sandy beaches and is famous for the Vendée Globe sailing race. As a result, it does get busy during the summer months.
The rest of the year, the town has a relaxing atmosphere which is perfect for those living in France.
The town has all the necessary amenities including good shops and a daily market. There is plenty to do with sports, bowling, cinemas and a zoo. For those who enjoy getting out and about, there are nature reserves, marshlands and forests nearby.
Good transport links it to the town with Nantes, an one hour away, and Paris, 3 hours 20 by high-speed train.
The area has great food and wine. Specialties include the local liqueurs Kamak, the breads Préfou and Fouace, a medieval style brioche. There is plenty of seafood to enjoy including oysters, sardines and sole.
There is usually a selection of properties to rent and buy in the area. The town is divided into different quarters, In Ile Penotte quarter the facade of the houses are decorated with sea shells. Recently fishermen’s cottages that have been a popular buy for modernization.
In conclusion, living by the sea is beneficial to both physical and mental well-being and there are some very attractive budget-friendly places to live France near the beach. It is fun to take your time and explore the different areas to find the one that will suit you the best.