The Pristine Beach In France Where Crystal-Clear Waters Gently Meet Sandy Shores

When dreaming about France, gorgeous Provençal hill towns or the best museums of Paris often spring to mind. But France also boasts some incredible beaches on its coasts and Mediterranean islands, where aquamarine waters gently lap shimmering white sands. Among the country's wide array of beaches, one stand out is Plage de Palombaggia (or sometimes referred to as just Palombaggia) near Porto-Vecchio on the island of Corsica, which sits about 106 miles off the country's southern coast. Stretching over a mile, this beach is one of the most stunning in France, with clear water, powder-soft sand, gently swaying pine trees, and salmon-colored granite outcroppings. The beach's shallow grade and calm waters make it ideal for children and those with mobility limitations.

In addition to being easy on the eyes, Palombaggia is conveniently located near many beach bars and restaurants and offers amenities such as restrooms, lifeguard service, and kiosks for renting sun loungers, underwater scooters, or even paddleboards. If you prefer to stay near the beach, numerous vacation villas are within walking distance along with luxurious hotels like Les Bergeries de Palombaggia, where guests can enjoy panoramic sea views, a gorgeous infinity pool, and a gourmet restaurant serving fresh, creative cuisine that's as beautifully presented as it is delicious. For those who prefer a more rustic setting, campsites and cabins are available at U Pirellu close to Palombaggia's north end.

Palombaggia is located on Corsica's southeast shore, 6.8 miles southeast of the town of Porto-Vecchio, with regular bus service available between Porto-Vecchio and the popular beach. If you are traveling by private vehicle, free parking is available nearby. The only drawback is that in summer, you may have to contend with some traffic and crowds around the beach. If this doesn't put you off and you're determined to experience one of the world's most spectacular beaches, avoid weekends and holidays if at all possible. In addition, try to arrive early in the morning to make sure you get a parking spot near the beach. You can find a large parking garage at the northern end of the beach. The south end of the beach does not have a designated parking area, but street parking is available on the nearby beach access road.

While in this part of Corsica, definitely explore some of the area's other prime beaches that are still close to Palombaggia. For example, only 5 miles down the road, another not-to-miss stretch of sand is Santa Giulia, a stunning turquoise bay similar to Palombaggia but with a surreal location at the base of a mountain. Like Palombaggia, the water in the bay at Santa Giulia is clear and shallow, making it an ideal swimming spot for families with small children. It's also a very popular beach for activities such as paddleboarding, snorkeling, and water skiing.

If you're visiting another area of Corsica — don't worry. Corsica is a surprisingly large island with postcard-worthy beaches all over the place. As a general rule, the beaches like Palombaggia in the southern part of the island, which is known as Corse-du-Sud, are calmer, shallower, and often have more amenities. In northern Corsica, also known as Haute-Corse, as well as on the west side, beaches tend to be less developed and have bigger waves. In some cases, access to these more remote beaches may require boating or driving on a long dirt road with a high-clearance vehicle.

If you're in the north and up for a splash-filled adventure, take a water taxi to the otherwise inaccessible beach of Saleccia, which lacks amenities but boasts unparalleled beauty. After visiting Saleccia, Tripadvisor reviewer Marco wrote, "This beach is simply not possible to describe with words...the [color] of the water, the fine sand under your feet. It felt like being [in] the Maldives!" On Corsica's wild west side, head to Capo di Feno, which is a 30-minute drive from the town of Ajaccio on a rough road. On the southern end of Capo de Feno (the section called Grand Capo) is a small restaurant, where you can sip cocktails in the evening and watch the sun melt into the sea. While the quirky, colorful beach towns of the French Riviera certainly get a lot of love from travelers, a trip to Corsica might inspire you even more for your next beach vacation.