The Nude Beaches of the Camargue
Camargue delta coast, southern France
Five very different nude beaches along France’s wild Rhone delta, from officially designated to completely undiscovered.
snapshot
The Camargue covers five nude beaches along the Rhone delta coast in southern France, ranging from an officially designated national park beach to a rocky club-managed inlet. No two beaches here feel alike. Some have formal legal designation and signed nude sections. Others are tolerated but unmarked. All require a car and almost none have facilities. This is a region for travellers who want raw nature as the backdrop rather than resort infrastructure.
season
May to October
LEGAL STATUS
Nudity legal
GETTING THERE
Car Essential
Vibe
Wild, varied, low-key
where we are
REGIONAL orientation
The Camargue is the river delta where the Rhone River meets the Mediterranean Sea, forming a broad landscape of wetlands, salt flats, shallow lagoons, and long barrier beaches. It sits between Montpellier to the west and Marseille to the east. The coast faces the open Mediterranean, with beaches stretching for kilometres without a resort strip in sight. Pink flamingos wade in the lagoons behind the dunes. White horses and black bulls graze the scrubland. This is not typical southern France beach territory. The five featured beaches span roughly 60 kilometres of coastline and operate on completely different models: one is officially designated inside a national park, one is a club-managed rocky inlet near Martigues that charges entry, and three are wild, tolerated stretches requiring you to read the atmosphere and walk until the surroundings feel right.
the nude beaches
ONE BY ONE
Plage de l'Espiguette
43.5023, 4.1220
An officially designated 350-metre nude section inside the Camargue national park, set among pristine dunes and wetlands east of Le Grau-du-Roi. Despite the national park setting, the beach draws significant summer crowds. The nude zone is clearly signed. A beach bar sits near the main entrance before the nude section begins. The atmosphere is notably balanced in terms of who visits, with a good mix of genders and ages noted by our source.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandy
Plage de Piemanson
43.3480, 4.7849
One of the longest officially signed nude beaches in France, stretching approximately 5 kilometres to the mouth of the Rhone. A concrete road leads directly to free parking. The walk from the car park to the nude section is around 600 metres on a flat, clearly signed path. White sand, shallow water, and enough space to choose between social areas and complete solitude. No facilities of any kind beyond the car park.
QuietRemoteAccessibleNatural settingSandyNo facilities
Plage des Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Est
43.4551, 4.4447
A long undeveloped beach east of the main Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer beach, where nudity is tolerated but not officially designated. The practical approach is to walk east until the crowd thins and the beach feels very remote. No fixed nude section, no signage. The sense of solitude increases steadily the further you go. Entirely exposed, flat, and wild. Well suited to travellers who are comfortable reading the atmosphere and walking until they find the right spot.
QuietRemoteNatural settingSandyNo facilities
Plage de Figuerolles
43.4652, 5.0518
A lakeside beach rather than a seafront, reached by a 20 to 30-minute forest walk from the car park. What appears to be white sand from a distance is composed of fine shells. The shallow saltwater is warmer and calmer than the sea, making for a different kind of swim. Nudity is not officially designated but regularly practised. Clothed visitors appear near the main access point. A short walk along the shore in either direction finds emptier, quieter stretches.
QuietRemoteNatural settingNo facilities
Plage de Bonnieu
43.3654, 5.0257
A club-managed rocky beach near Martigues, at the eastern edge of the region. The 10-euro entry fee covers parking, showers, toilets, and bar access. Rocky rather than sandy, and less visually striking than the other four beaches. Nudity is mandatory inside the managed area. The club format keeps the atmosphere very nude, with a lower chance of encountering non-naturist visitors than on the open public beaches. A sociable environment suited to those who prefer structure over wildness.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingRockyWith facilities
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Nature-focused travellers who want wild, undeveloped coastal settings
- ✓ Those who enjoy variety between very different beach characters
- ✓ Experienced clothes-free travellers comfortable with self-sufficient days
- ✓ Visitors already based in Provence or the Languedoc region
not ideal if
- ✕ You expect shade, toilets, or food available at the beach
- ✕ Accessing unmarked, tolerated areas feels uncomfortable to you
- ✕ You want to combine nude beaches with resort-style amenities nearby
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
The Camargue coast is not served by any major airport directly. Visitors typically drive from nearby cities. The region sits roughly 45 minutes west of Arles and is accessible from Montpellier, Nimes, and Avignon. Individual beaches are spread across a wide coastal area and are not connected by public transport. A private transportation is the only practical way to visit the area.
best time to go
May, June, September, and October offer good conditions with fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. July and August are the peak months: sea temperatures reach around 22 degrees Celsius and the most accessible beaches draw significant numbers. Especially at Plage Espiguette, peak season brings real crowds to the designated beaches. The wild and tolerated beaches remain quieter year-round.
legal status
Nudity is legally permitted at officially authorised beaches in France. Plage de Piemanson, Plage de Bonnieu and Plage de l’Espiguette are officially designated by local authorities as nude beach areas. The others are tolerated in practice but not officially signed or designated.
what to bring
Almost all beaches here have no facilities at all. Bring water, food, and a sun umbrella for any full day visit. Espiguette has a beach bar before the nude section, and Bonnieu includes a bar in its entry fee. Everywhere else, you are entirely self-sufficient. The flat Camargue coast offers no natural shade and afternoon sun can be intense in July and August. Mosquitoes are present near the lagoons, particularly in the evenings.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY
virtual visit
SEE FOR yourself
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video shows you what the beaches in this overview actually look like.
FAQ
most asked questions
Is nudity mandatory, or can I keep some clothes on?
It depends on the beach. Plage de Bonnieu operates mandatory nudity within its club-managed area. At Espiguette and Piemanson, which are officially designated, nudity is not mandatory but very common. At Saintes-Maries Est and Figuerolles, where nudity is tolerated but not signed, the atmosphere is mixed.
Are the nude beaches of the Camargue good for first-timers?
Plage de Piemanson is the most approachable: clearly signed, free parking, a flat walk, and plenty of space. Plage de l'Espiguette is also well-organised with a paid car park and clear signage. The tolerated beaches, particularly Saintes-Maries Est, require more confidence and a willingness to navigate an unmarked situation.
Are these beaches family-friendly?
Espiguette and Piemanson are the most practical for families in terms of access and atmosphere. All five beaches have no lifeguards. Bonnieu has a club-managed environment with a social atmosphere. The forest walk to Figuerolles is manageable for children old enough to handle 20 to 30 minutes on foot.
Do I need a car to visit?
Yes. Public transport serves the main Camargue towns but does not reach any of these beaches. Espiguette is the closest to an urban area, but the walk from the nearest bus stop to the beach car park is significant. All five beaches require a car for any practical day visit.
What time of year are the beaches at their best?
May, June, September, and October offer good conditions without the peak-season crowds. July and August bring the warmest sea temperatures (around 22 degrees Celsius) but also the most visitors. Espiguette in particular draws large numbers in summer. The wilder beaches, Saintes-Maries Est and Figuerolles, remain quieter throughout the season.
Are there toilets or food available at the beaches?
Almost entirely no. Espiguette has a beach bar before the nude section and paid parking with associated facilities. Bonnieu includes showers, toilets, and a bar in the 10-euro entry fee. Piemanson, Saintes-Maries Est, and Figuerolles have no facilities of any kind. Bring everything you need for the day.
