A total of 485 beaches and other sites across France have been authorised to fly the Blue Flag (Pavillon Bleu) this summer to indicate their cleanliness and eco-friendly credentials.
Among the recipients are 384 beaches, 100 marinas, and one boat (the ‘Atalaya’ in Hendaye in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department that offers dolphin and whale watching tours).
Boats have been able to obtain the label since 2024, with the Atalaya receiving it for the third year running.
Most sites awarded the Blue Flag in 2026 are located along the southern and western coasts, with 120 sites in Occitanie and 112 in Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur.
Nine new sites obtained the label for the first time, including beaches in Tréport, Carqueiranne, Saint-Symphorien-de-Thénières and marinas in Charleville-Mézières, Buzet-sur-Baïse, and the ‘Vieux Port’ in Golfe Juan.
The map below shows the full list of sites – all regions have at least one site awarded the label, including river and lake beaches in non-coastal areas.
France remains among the top five countries with the most Blue flag sites in the world.
Annual assessments
Sites are assessed on values including:
State and health of the nearby water
Safety and accessibility
Local biodiversity
How waste is dealt with
The Blue Flag (pavillion bleu) award is handed out by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a not-for-profit aimed at promoting ecological best practices.
A global phenomenon today, the Blue Flag project was launched in France in 1985, by students studying pollution currents in the ocean. By 1987, the first Blue flags were handed out to beaches across 10 European countries.
To be awarded a flag, local communes have to apply directly to the organisation, which will then arrange an inspection.
Beaches and marinas need to pay to be assessed, with amounts depending on the number of inhabitants in the commune. Fees range from €545 up to €2,900, and communes with multiple beaches have to pay additional fees. The organisation says fees go towards covering the cost of assessments and juries.
Alongside the necessary criteria, sites also need to pass a national jury made up of representatives from major public and private institutions in the sector.
Once awarded the label, sites promise to uphold the associated values, and spot checks are carried out across the high tourist season to ensure they comply.
As the labels are awarded each year, sites must reapply annually to obtain the right to fly the flag.
