I am looking for suggestions on places to stay in the south of France on the coast for a few days next summer. I don't want to be in a city, but a smaller, less busy place to just relax and enjoy the beach. I will head to Barcelona afterwards so a destination within a few hours train ride would be nice.
Thank you,
Lori
I spent a week at a friend's time share in Canet-en-Rousillon. It is very close to Perpignan. The beach there and just south of there are nice sandy beaches. Just south of there and just north of the border of Spain is Collioure. I really enjoyed my day trip to Collioure and much preferred it to the town of Canet-en-Rousillon, but the beach there is rocky. If you want a nice town to relax in, Collioure is my recommendation. If a sandy beach is more important, go north.
Loved Collioure although for a small town it draws a crowd in summer. It is gorgeous and has plenty of places of interest. The beach in town is pebbly and popular but swimming between the fort and that iconic church is pretty special. Plenty of quieter beaches nearby too.
From Collioure it is a short train ride from Perpignan. From there the one euro bus will take you inland to the wonderful village of Villefranche de Conflent. From V de C you can take the open topped Little Yellow Train to Latour de Carol and connect to Barcelona.
That is a few days of good fun and great sights.
Templiers Hotel in Collioure was pleasant accom. The wonderful old Post Office B&B is the place to stay in V de C.
If you take this route to Barcelona be careful you don't find yourself wanting to linger longer than you planned.
My Riviera recommendation is Antibes. If the point is a good place to connect to Barcelona, I'd go with Collioure, or Sete. Narbonne is close to the sea but not exactly a beach destination.
Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! I will check all of these areas out and make a decision.
Lori
Check out Ville Franche sur Mer. The beach there is sandy. Some of the beaches are rocky (Nice). There's train connections to the other towns.
We also had a nice beach day at Sete...travelled there on train from Montpellier.
Thank you Shawn!
