La Baule is a popular resort town that once rivaled Biarritz. Today it leans toward the tacky rather than the sophisticated, but you still can’t beat its breathtaking 5-km (3-mile) beach or the lovely, long seafront promenade lined with hotels. Like Dinard, La Baule is a 19th-century creation, founded in 1879 to make the most of the sandy strands that extend around the broad, sheltered bay between Pornichet and Le Pouliguen. A pine forest helps keep shifting dunes in place. All in all, this can offer an idyllic stay for those who like the idea of a day at the beach and an evening at the casino.
Love to travel?
Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.