France has over 2000 miles of coastline making it a popular choice for people who enjoy watersports, seafood and holidaying in the sun. On the Mediterranean coast, sands on the west lead towards the Riviera where beaches are set against the backdrop of the coastline. The Vendée and Charente Maritime in the west are characterised by golden beaches backed by pine forests and some of the sunniest weather in France. In the north, there are many beaches to explore on the Brittany coast.