2023-06-05 13:51:19
The 2023 ranking for Blue Flag (Blue Flag in French) beaches has been released, and this year there are 405 beaches that qualified across France.
In order to qualify for a Blue Flag, stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. The flag guarantees clean beaches and marinas, excellent quality bathing water, and demonstrable efforts towards sustainable tourism and environmental awareness actions.
READ MORE: 9 of the best things about summer in France
With over 95 percent of last year’s beaches maintaining their place on the list, the majority are found in Occitanie (108) and Provence-Alpes-Côte-Azur (86).
The Blue Flag and @Teragir are proud to introduce you to the 2023 winners!
⛵???? This year, 511 sites obtain the label with 406 beaches and 105 ports in metropolitan and overseas France.
Check out the winners at https://t.co/rBSIxkgdf5. pic.twitter.com/yfX6yJszAe
— Blue Flag France (@PavillonBleu) May 24, 2023
This year, France added eight new beaches to the list – three in Brittany, one in Gironde, one in the Lot département, two in the Vendée and one in Corsica.
You can find the full list (in French) of all Blue Flag beaches in France HERE.
Here are the new additions;
Trez Goarem Beach in Audierne, Brittany
Located in an environmentally protected area, home to dunes and wildlife, west of Quimper, the beach itself is about 800m long, with mostly sand and some pebbles.
According to the tourism office for Brittany, it is only supervised during the summers. As such, swimmers are advised to pay attention to the flag flying, as currents and waves can sometimes be strong.
The beach of Trez Goarem, in Audierne pic.twitter.com/jpN2cEoT2e
— West Cornwall Socialist Party (@PSouestco) May 25, 2023
Trez Beach in Benodet, Brittany
Located near the five-star beach resort of Bénodet, this beach is known to be “ideal for families” according to Brittany’s tourist office’s website. It has its own “Club Mickey” – a kids’ club where children can enjoy sports, activities and other beach-related entertainment.
There are free showers, and the beach is supervised during the summers (from 12pm until 7pm, daily). People can also rent equipment for windsurfing and other activities.
According to the Bénodet town websitethere are also services available for those with reduced mobility.
????Trez Beach, Bénodet pic.twitter.com/FPOiMIXZdV
— Corentin Deve (@corentin19100) April 20, 2023
Plage de Porsman in Plouarzel, Brittany
The third Breton beach to be added to the list in 2023, the Plage de Porsman, is located in Finistère. It is a small sandy beach just off the Porspaul harbour, known for particularly beautiful sunsets.
It is also the spot where a local sailing camp sets off from during the summers.
My most beautiful sunset ????
????Porsman Beach, PLOUARZEL #Brittany
@regionbretagne pic.twitter.com/oT7hiufOPU— My Breton Treasure ????⚓ (@tresorbreton) June 24, 2019
Plage de la Chambrette (Estuary) in Gironde
The Gironde département, home to the city of Bordeaux, is also home to the Plage de la Chambrette, which offers a lovely view of the port of Le Verdon.
This beach is reportedly also popular with families, as it offers a “Mickey Club”, and as it is located along the estuary, the waves tend to be smaller. There are plenty of water sporting activities to take part in or rent nearby.
Pets are not allowed.
#picoftheday Chambrette beach in Port Médoc in Verdon-sur-Mer pic.twitter.com/2h2x5BTmt3
— Francois CRUCHET (@FrancoisCruchet) August 30, 2020
Lac Vert in Catus Plage of the Lot department
This newly recognised beach is not on the ocean at all – it is along the Lac Vert in the Lot département, in south-western France.
The swimming area is home to plenty of recreational activities, like canoeing, beach volleyball, and barbecue spaces with picnics. In the summer, sometimes local authorities set up inflatables on the lake for children and adults to enjoy.
There are public restrooms on site, and the beach is supervised during the summer.
The #lac vert de Catus enter #Cahors and the #Dordogne in the #Lot ????♀️☀️????♀️???????? #Occitania #Quercy
On the spot : #baig… https://t.co/SFejONhc6N pic.twitter.com/FBXlN5J8yn— Cahors Lot Valley (@Cahorsvalleelot) July 7, 2017
Body of water in Presqu’île in the Vendée
The plan d’eau swimming area brings the total number of Blue Flag beaches in L’Aiguillon-la Presqu’île in the Vendée département in western France up to three. This peninsula near La Rochelle has plenty to offer in terms of restaurants, swimming and general beach holiday fun.
The plan d’eau beach is not far from the town centre, and it is supervised from 12:45pm to 6:45pm during the months of July and August.
Entry is free, and there is a nearby playground for children to enjoy.
Flanders Dunkirk in La Tranche-sur-Mer, Vendée
Also found in the Vendée département, the sandy Flandre Dunkerque beach is in walking distance from La Tranche-sur-Mer town.
It is supervised during July and August, and dog-lovers can rejoice – animals are allowed (on leashes), though be sure to check signage.
You can see it in the Info France 2 video below.
???? This year, 511 beaches have been awarded the “Blue Flag” label, which indicates the cleanest beaches for summer holidays. Among the newcomers, there is that of La Tranche-sur-Mer in Vendée. What will this label change for the place? Response elements.
▶️ #JT13h pic.twitter.com/A09bbHty8p
— Info France 2 (@infofrance2) May 25, 2023
And finally, if you are looking to take a trip to Corsica this summer, you can choose from five different Blue Flag beaches, including the new addition: Porto Pollo.
The large sandy beach is close to a nearby marina, with clear, turquoise waters.
???? Porto Pollo ???? #Corse #corsica #BeautifulFrance pic.twitter.com/x80Swi4JtM
— La Corse Autrement (@CorseAutrement) November 2, 2015
It is also not far from Les Cathédrales, one of the most popular diving sites in Corsica.
There is typically a lifeguard on duty during the summer.
#Discover #Frances #blue #flag #beaches