The best sea outings to do in a RIB in France
With some 5,500 kilometers of coastline, France is one of the most popular destinations for boaters.
With a vast Atlantic coastline to the west, access to the Mediterranean basin and its millennia of history to the south, and a gateway to England via the English Channel and North Sea to the north, mainland France offers an incomparable variety of coastlines.
Coves, coves, bays, basins, deltas, lagoons, archipelagos... these are just some of the geographical formations to be discovered, and are perfectly suited to sea outings with small or medium-sized boats such as RIBs.
So, in order to plan your next outings, Orca Retail offers you a small overview of the spots not to be missed in France.
Now, discover the most beautiful boat trips on the French coastline!
1. The Calanques Park, from Marseille to Cassis
Let's start this list of must-sees with the Parc National des Calanques,Europe's only marine, terrestrial, island and peri-urban park. If you're from the Marseille area, the Calanques are undoubtedly your pride and joy, and one of the good reasons to live here.
Stretching out to sea over a modest distance of 20 kilometers, the Parc des Calanques attracts no fewer than 3 million visitors every 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 veritable Eden of turquoise waters, sailing and swimming in the Calanques will plunge you into the heart of the Mediterranean's epic ancient adventures, amid mythical sites such as Frioul Island, La Madrague and Cassis Bay... in short, a must-see destination in the Bouches du Rhône !
Difficult to access by land (and restricted in summer), the Calanques are best visited from the sea, to enjoy a different viewpoint and greater peace and quiet.
2. The islands of Lerins, Cannes
Let's stay in the south, and more specifically in the Alpes-Maritimes department, with the Lérins archipelago, made up of 5 islands, including two main ones: to the north, Sainte-Marguerite, famous for its fort which is said to have sheltered the Man in the Iron Mask, and to the south, Saint-Honorat, known for housing a Cistercian monastery.
Accessible in just a few minutes from the port of Cannes, these islands await you, with bird sanctuaries, pine and eucalyptus forests, ponds, museums and historic sites on the land .
Swimming around the islands is of course highly recommended!
3. The cliffs of Etretat
A true natural monument (and of our national tourist industry), the cliffs of Etretat impress as much as they inspire.
From their top or from the sea, the cliffs and arches of Etretat offer a spectacle of which one never tires, conducive to contemplation. To enjoy the view from the sea, you should preferably leave from Fécamp, between April and October.
Nearby, along the Côte Fleurie, you can discover the typical little ports of prestigious towns such as Dieppe, Deauville and Trouville.
Further south, the beaches of Cabourg, Ouistreham, Arromanches and Colleville-sur-Mer will plunge you into the heart of the Normandy landings.
4. The Dune of Pilat and the Bay of Arcachon
Metropolitan France's other natural giant, the Dune du Pilat,the highest in Europe , majestically dominates the Bay of Arcachon and the Atlantic Ocean at 103,6 metres high (measured in 2023).
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 pretext.
Arcachon and its winter town, Cap Ferret and its sumptuous villas, oyster parks and huts, bird island, pine forests... are a feast for the eyes (and the stomach)!
Well protected from the 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 RIB boat!
5. The Camargue and Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer
It's one of the wildest regions in France! Head for the Camargue if you'd like to take a trip out to sea, where you'll be able to observe shores untouched by human activity.
From Le Grau du Roi / Aigues-Mortes, go to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. If by boat from the sea you can't reach the heart of the Camargue regional park, its coastline is no less interesting to walk along.
See the Gacholle lighthouse, stop off at Beauduc beach and continue on to see the lighthouse, then head for Port-Bouc and Fos-sur-mer to enjoy secluded beaches, and maybe hope to see some dolphins!
6. The islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron
Let's return to the Atlantic seaboard, and more particularly to the La Rochelle region, which is also not short of choices when it comes to seaside walks! While the mythical Fort Boyard springs to mind, the Charente-Maritime department is home to 3 of the most beautiful coastal jewels: the islands of Ré, Aix and Oléron. Although Ré and Oléron are connected to the mainland, there's nothing like discovering them from the water.
Must-sees on the islands include the Chassiron lighthouse, the pedestrian streets of Saint-Pierre d'Oléron and the Château d'Oléron.
Renowned for its iodine-rich, windswept countryside and small stone villages, these islands will appeal to nostalgic souls dreaming of a peaceful island life.
7. The 7 islands archipelago
Located in Brittany's Côtes-d'Armor region, this archipelago of 7 islands (Rouzic, Malban, Les Costans, Bono, l'Île-aux-Moines, l'Île Plate and Le Cerf) is a protected natural site of particular interest to ornithologists, as it boasts a large bird reserve. Nature lovers will be delighted, as these rather inaccessible islands with their hostile surroundings are also home to other colorful animal species such as sea lions.
We advise you to set off from Perros-Guirec, Trégastel or Ploumanach, and follow the Pink Granite coast as far as the Mean Ruz lighthouse, before continuing north towards these small islands.
As its name indicates, the Pink Granite Coast is a very rocky coast, which from the land does not make it ideal for swimming, hence the interest to go by sea. In short, a ballad in a wild and mineral universe to discover small deserted islands, the dream of any adventurer!
8. Collioure, Port-Vendres and Argelès
Rendezvous in the department of Pyrénées Orientales and the region of Perpignan for this last stage at the Spanish border.
This Catalan region, often little known and not very touristy, offers its share of curiosities.
The three ports of Argelès Collioure and Port-Vendres will punctuate your boat trip along the rugged Côte Vermeille. As this coastline is quite indented and has few beaches, discovering it from the sea seems ideal.
On the menu: rocky coves, hillside vineyard views, Catalan fishing boats, Cap Béar and Cap Cerbère lighthouses.
9. The Gulf of Morbihan and Vannes
The Gulf of Morbihan is one of the most beautiful jewels of Brittany, located between the city of Vannes and the Bay of Quiberon.
In this enclave of water, sail peacefully from one island to the next: île-aux-moines, île d'Arz, île d'Ilur, île d'Iluric, île Godec, île de Tascon and many more to discover.
A little Caribbean air within reach of the most famous corsair city in France, what more could you ask for?
10. Desert of Agriates and beach of Lotu
Let's finish our tour of France in the Isle of Beauty!
If 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, the beach of Santa Giulia, we have retained here the beach of Lotu and the desert of Agriates.
It's a discreet and extremely well-preserved site. As its name suggests, the only thing to be found in the Agriates Desert are a few abandoned sheepfolds. From the sea, admire the maquis that covers the entire coastline, with the exception of dreamy little beaches like Lotu.
Set off from the village of Saint Florent, and head northwest up the coast: Fiume Santu beach, the Mortella tower and lighthouses will guide you towards Lotu. If you'd like to continue the walk, don't hesitate to make your way to Saleccia beach, which faces the astonishing Padulella marshes.
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