Photo by © Gabor Balazs | Pexels
French beaches are a way of life – and it’s important to pack accordingly. La plage isn’t rushed or loud. It’s a place to slow down, to savor life’s little pleasures, to soak up the sun. Chic locals arrive with minimal fuss and maximum style, armed with perfectly chosen accessories that blend form, function, and fashion.
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Head to any beach in France and you’ll be sure to spot a classic wicker panier (basket), a striped parasol (beach umbrella), and stylish lunettes de soleil (sunglasses).These items are as much a part of the French summer aesthetic as salty hair and golden skin.
Read on for a look at some of the most iconic and practical French beach accessories gracing the seaside this summer season.
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Panier en Osier (Wicker Basket Bag)
There is perhaps no accessory more evocative of French seaside life than the panier en osier. Wicker, straw, raffia – whatever the weave, these baskets are the most convenient (and chic) carry-all. Tucked under your arm or slung casually over a shoulder, the French woven basket bag fits everything you need for a perfect beach day: sunscreen, fouta, a well-loved novel, and perhaps a chilled bottle of rosé.
Foutas (Lightweight Towels)
Originating from North Africa and beloved across the Mediterranean, the fouta is a lightweight, woven cotton textile that you will find spread across French beaches. Its texture is soft against the skin, and the slim material folds gracefully into any basket bag. It can also be worn as a wrap or slung it over the shoulders when the mistral wind picks up. The colors tend to echo coastal palettes: marine blue, coral pink, and sandy beige.
Paréo (Sarong)
The paréo is the beachgoer’s most versatile companion. French women seem to instinctively know how to style a sarong without effort. Wrap it around your waist as a skirt, tie it at the chest for a breezy dress, or use it as a shawl when the sun dips below the horizon. The fabrics are light and breathable, often cotton or viscose, and adorned with delicate prints that feel right at home in the sunshine.
Parasol Rayé (Striped Beach Umbrella)
You’ll see these parasols dotting the coastline from Trouville to Saint Tropez – each one part art, part nostalgia. Sturdy yet lightweight, they can be staked into the sand or attached to classic wooden lounge chairs. And when paired with a matching fouta or bikini, they transform the beach into a private stage.
Chapeau de Paille (Straw Sun Hat)
The chapeau de paille functions as both a style statement and sun protection. French women (and men) have long embraced the wide-brimmed straw hat, its silhouette casting a romantic shadow across sun-kissed cheeks. In Normandy, it’s worn with linen and espadrilles. On the Riviera, it pairs with a maillot (swimsuit) and oversized sunglasses. Some are trimmed with grosgrain ribbons; others are left unadorned, their simplicity a nod to their Provençal roots.
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Lunettes de Soleil (Sunglasses)
In France, lunettes de soleil aren’t an afterthought – they’re part of the outfit. French brands elevate sunglasses to an art: classic shapes with a modern twist, crafted with impeccable detail. From the angular cat-eyes of Paris to the rounded tortoiseshell frames of Marseille, the best pairs are both glamorous and grounded, designed to shield the eyes while channeling a kind of cinematic cool.
Crème Solaire (Sunscreen)
No French beach bag is complete without a sleek tube of crème solaire, often pulled from a straw basket with the same pride as a designer perfume. In France, sun protection is an important ritual. The French swear by pharmacy staples that have become cult favorites around the world. The emphasis is not just on SPF, but also on skin health and sensorial pleasure. Sunscreen here is as chic as it is essential.
Use this list as a packing reference for your next trip to la plage this summer to feel like a français on holiday!
Written by Olivia Hoffman
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