Beach concessions in France: You pay for the service, not for access

Paris – 31 July 2026: Sun loungers, service at the parasol and waterfront dining are part of the summer business in many seaside resorts along France’s Mediterranean coast. A report broadcast by Franceinfo on Friday describes how operators generate revenue from such offerings. However, the common term “private beach” is misleading: France’s seashores generally remain part of the public maritime domain.

Pedestrian access as well as free and unrestricted use by the general public are protected by law. Restaurants, sun loungers or parasols may therefore not reserve an entire beach exclusively for paying customers. Even those who do not consume anything must be able to reach the beach and use a freely accessible section. Payment is for comfort, catering and additional services, not for access to the sea.

Nevertheless, the state may grant municipalities or other entities time-limited concessions for the establishment, management and maintenance of beaches. They allow designated areas to be used for services connected with beach activities. These include seasonal dining, the rental of sun loungers and parasols, or water sports offerings. Operators do not acquire ownership of the beach as a result.

Under the applicable regulations, a beach concession may run for no more than twelve years. Municipalities have priority in the allocation process and submit a usage plan to the competent prefecture. The authorities examine, among other things, the allocation of space, its accessibility and the compatibility of the project with landscape and nature-protection requirements. Operating agreements and concessions must be publicly announced.

The space available for commercial use is also limited. At least 80 percent of a municipality’s shoreline and beach area must remain free of installations and facilities. For artificially created beaches, the required free share is at least 50 percent. The area at mean tide level serves as the basis for calculation. This is intended to prevent profitable offerings from displacing the public character of entire coastal stretches.

As a rule, only facilities that can be dismantled or moved and are not permanently anchored in the ground are permitted. Once the concession ends, it must be possible to restore the original condition. Exceptions for permanent structures primarily concern public sanitary facilities and rescue stations. The prefectures manage the public maritime domain and monitor compliance with the requirements.

For beachgoers, this results in a clear distinction: An operator may charge fees for a sun lounger, parasol, food or service. However, they may neither sell free access to the beach nor reserve it for their customers.