Paris 1st timer...then a beach somewhere?
 

I am planning a trip to Paris/Europe next summer for my 13yo daughter and myself. This will be our first international trip, and were both super excited. I am planning to rent an apt in Paris for 1 week, then head to a beach somewhere for another week. Does anyone have any good ideas for the second spot? We are open to anywhere in Europe...just want a nice/decent beach, and a pool to lounge around and relax. Price is not a huge issue. Ive thought about Spain and Italy, but would love some other ideas!

Why not just stay in France and enjoy the Cote d'Azur????

Stu Dudley

I wouldn't really recommend the Cote d'Azur as they don't have very good beaches, most don't have sand. Not to mention how crowded and expensive it is.

I'm not a beach person so don't know if there is anything to recommend in France on the north or west, but if I were going south, I'd go to the west of Marseille, not east.

In the Cote d'Azur area, I would recommend going to Juan Le Pins. The sandy beaches don't start until west of Cap d'Antibes.

You should also think about Biarritz, a town in southwest France that is on the coast of the Atlantic.

You can always tell when American women are at the beach. They're the only ones who leave their top on.

We were in Biarritz in mid/late June this year, and the summer had not really started yet. Very few people on the beach - only a handful - way too cool. There was one major heatwave in the 2 weeks we were there. The heatwave lasted 2 days - then it was back to cold & and some rain. We visited the other beaches in the area too - and we much prefer the Cote d'Azur (we've vacationed there for 16 weeks).

Head south. Try Cannes - they have a nice sandy beach. Our favorite is Tahiti Plage concession at Pampalonne beach near St Tropez.

Rastaguy. We've been going to the Cote d'Azur since '79, and there have been fewer & fewer topless women on the beach in the last 10 years. Not sure I agree with you about Americans not being topless - I know many who take off their tops.

Stu Dudley

How about Portugal? Lovely beaches there. We recently visited and loved Lisbon and the Portuguese people. Their hottest beaches are in the south, the Algarve. It is a much less expensive country than most others in Europe.

StuD (I read that only your wife can call you that),

I've been going since '85. It all depends on when, when it's cold, certainly not. I used to like to stay in Juan-le-Pins, as it was a funky kind of town, with few tourists. However, more and more have been appearing.

I've also been to French or half French islands in the Caribbean, where the same is true.

My wife's not a beach person, so those days are out.

First Rastaguy, I think your assessment that Americans are the only ones with tops on is incorrect, of course I only base that on my french relatives and friends, of which perhaps only 1/4 go topless.

exmil, I have a suggestion, its an amazing place ( google for some photos). Its a small town call Tossa De Mar. The beach is sand, not rocks, the water is warm( in summer) and clean , the people are kind, the town is clean and safe, and food is good and cheap.. ( well compared to Paris, Nice , Monaco, etc lo )
Its an hour and 1/2 bus ride from Barcelona.Barcelona is an hour and 1/2 flight from Paris. We used Easyjet. We then took taxi into Barcelona from airport to the bus station in the city, then grabbed bus( they leave every hour). We stayed at the Capri Hotel, I got us a third floor sea view room and it has a big deck and an amazing view of sea and castle ruins .. its so pretty. No pool there though , but several other hotels do that have that , check out tripadvisor.com Tossa De Mar forums.