The best sea trips to take in a RIB in France
With approximately 5,500 kilometers of coastline, France is one of the favorite destinations for boaters.
With a vast frontage to the west towards the Atlantic Ocean, to the south access to the Mediterranean basin and its millennia of history, and to the north a gateway to England via the English Channel and the North Sea, metropolitan France offers an incomparable variety of shores.
Coves, inlets, bays, basins, deltas, lagoons, archipelagos... are as many geographical formations to discover, and which are perfectly suited for sea outings with small or medium-sized boats such as semi-rigid boats.
Also, to plan your next outings, Orca Retail offers you a little overview of the spots not to be missed in metropolitan France.
Right away, discover the most beautiful boat trips to take on the French coasts!
1. The Calanques Park, from Marseille to Cassis
Let's start this list of must-sees with the national park of the calanques, the only European marine, terrestrial, insular, and peri-urban park. If you are from the Marseille region, there is no doubt that the Calanques are your pride and one of the good reasons to live in this region.
Spanning the sea over a modest distance of 20 kilometers, the Calanques Park attracts no less than 3 million visitors each year. As difficult to access as it is rich, the park is home to some 80 bird species, reptiles, 900 plant species, and 60 marine species including dolphins and turtles!
A true Eden with turquoise waters, sailing and swimming in the Calanques will plunge you into the heart of the epic ancient adventures of the Mediterranean, among mythical places: Frioul Island, the Madrague, the bay of Cassis... in short, an essential destination in the Bouches du Rhône!
With difficult land access (and regulated in summer), the Calanques are best visited from the sea, especially to enjoy another point of view and more tranquility.
2. The Lérins Islands, Cannes
Let's stay in the south and more particularly in the Alpes-Maritimes department with the Lérins archipelago, composed of 5 islands, including two main ones: to the north, Sainte-Marguerite, famous for its fort which is said to have housed the Man in the Iron Mask, and to the south, Saint-Honorat, known for housing a Cistercian monastery.
Accessible in just a few dozen minutes from the port of Cannes, these islands await you with on land: bird reserves, pine and eucalyptus forests, ponds, museums, and historical sites.
Swimming near the islands is of course highly recommended!
3. The Cliffs of Etretat
A true natural monument (and of our national tourism industry), the cliffs of Etretat are as impressive as they are inspiring.
From their summit or from the sea, the cliffs and arches of Etretat offer a spectacle that never gets old, ideal for contemplation. To enjoy the view from the sea, it is best to depart from Fécamp, between April and October.
Nearby, also discover along the Flowered Coast the typical small ports of prestigious towns: Dieppe, Deauville, and Trouville.
Located further south, the beaches of Cabourg, Ouistreham, Arromanches, or Colleville-sur-Mer will immerse you in the heart of the Normandy landings.
4. The Dune of Pilat and the Arcachon Basin
Another natural giant of mainland France, the Dune of Pilat, the tallest in Europe majestically overlooks the Arcachon Basin and the Atlantic Ocean with its 103,6 meters high (2023 measurement).
This favorite destination between the tumult of the ocean and the tranquility of its iconic fishing villages on the basin side is a marvel not to be missed under any circumstances.
Arcachon and its winter town, the Cap Ferret and its sumptuous villas, the parks and oyster huts, the bird island, the pine forests... are a feast for the eyes (and the stomach)!
Well protected from currents, the basin also offers an excellent playground for all water sports enthusiasts, and it is undoubtedly one of the best places in France to go out in a semi-rigid boat!
5. The Camargue and Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer
It is one of the wildest regions of France! Head to the Camargue if you want to go out to sea where you can observe shores untouched by human activity.
From the departure point of Grau du Roi / Aigues-Mortes, head towards the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. If by boat from the sea you cannot access the heart of the Camargue regional park, its coastline is nonetheless interesting to follow.
Spot the Gacholle lighthouse, stop at the Beauduc beach and continue until you see the lighthouse, then head to Port-Bouc and Fos-sur-mer to enjoy isolated beaches, and maybe hope to see dolphins!
6. The islands of Ré, Aix, and Oléron
Let's return to the Atlantic coast and more specifically to the region of La Rochelle, which also offers plenty of options for sea outings! While of course, we first think of the mythical Fort Boyard, the department of Charente-Maritime hosts three of the most beautiful jewels of the coastline with its islands of Ré, Aix, and Oléron. Although Ré and Oléron are connected to the mainland, there's nothing like discovering them from the water.
Among the must-visit sites on these islands, let's mention the Chassiron lighthouse, the pedestrian streets of Saint-Pierre d'Oléron, and the castle of Oléron.
Very famous for its bike rides at the heart of a nature swept by iodized winds and its small stone villages, these islands will particularly appeal to nostalgic souls dreaming of a peaceful islander life.
7. The archipelago of the 7 islands
Located in Brittany in the Côtes-d'Armor, this archipelago of 7 islands (Rouzic, Malban, Les Costans, Bono, l'Île-aux-Moines, l'Île Plate and Le Cerf), constitutes a protected natural site which will particularly interest ornithologists, as there is a significant bird reserve. Nature lovers will be delighted, as these fairly inaccessible islands, with their hostile surroundings, also host other colorful animal species such as sea lions.
We recommend departing from Perros-Guirec, Trégastel, or Ploumanach, to follow the Pink Granite Coast to the Mean Ruz lighthouse, before heading north to these small islands.
As its name suggests, the Pink Granite Coast is a very rocky shoreline, which from the land does not make it ideal for swimming, hence the interest in traveling by sea. In short, a walk in a wild and mineral universe discovering small deserted islands, the dream of every adventurer!
8. Collioure, Port-Vendres and Argelès
Let's head to the department of Pyrénées-Orientales and the region of Perpignan for this last stop at the Spanish border.
This Catalan region, often quite unknown and not very touristic, offers its share of curiosities.
The three ports of Argelès, Collioure, and Port-Vendres will set the pace for your boat trip along the wild Côte Vermeille. As this coast is quite rugged and has relatively few beaches, discovering it from the sea seems ideal.
On the menu, rocky coves, views of hillside vineyards, Catalan fishing boats, lighthouses of Cape Béar and Cape Cerbère.
9. The Gulf of Morbihan and Vannes
The Gulf of Morbihan is one of the most beautiful jewels of Brittany, located between the town of Vannes and the Bay of Quiberon.
In this water enclave, sail peacefully from one island to another: Île-aux-Moines, Île d'Arz, Île d'Ilur, Île d'Iluric, Île Godec, Île de Tascon, and many others to discover.
A small Caribbean vibe within reach of the most famous corsair city of France, what more could you ask for?
10. Desert of Agriates and Lotu Beach
Let's finish our tour of France on the Island of Beauty!
Of course, Corsica is full of fabulous places such as the Calanques of Piana, the Lavezzi Islands, the Sanguinaires Islands, or the cliffs of Bonifacio, Santa Giulia beach, but here we have chosen Lotu Beach and the Desert of Agriates.
It is a discreet and extremely well-preserved site. As its name suggests, in this desert of Agriates, you will find only some abandoned sheepfolds. From the sea, admire the maquis that invades the entire coast, except for dreamy little beaches like Lotu Beach.
For this, depart from the village of Saint Florent, and head up the coast to the northwest: Fiume Santu beach, Mortella tower, and lighthouses will guide you to Lotu. If you wish to continue the stroll, do not hesitate to head towards the Saleccia Beach which faces the astonishing Padulella marshes.
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