What could be more beautiful than the colours of nightfall? There's nothing more romantic than a sunset: it's magnificent, sublime and ephemeral. Beauty is not always universal, it's subjective, but that's not the case here. Everyone loves sunsets. At Petit Futé, we're particularly fond of them. Discover our selection of the most beautiful places to see sunsets in France.
1. The Bir-Hakeim bridge, one of the most beautiful sunsets in France
On a trip to Paris, you're worried about taking the metro - you've never really liked it. It's crowded and you're squeezed in, but here... you've been lucky: the cabin isn't full. Sitting comfortably, you're surprised - this line is partly aerial, and you tell yourself it's a good opportunity to take in the scenery. Between Bir-Hakeim and Trocadéro, you're in for a surprise. A breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower and the orange sky of a Parisian sunset. It only laststen seconds or so, but it's worth it. Galvanised, you set off on an adventure to explore the city's 28 must-sees.
Good to know: Want to enjoy the show for longer? You can if you cross the bridge on foot. You'll be amazed, with bridal shootings, engagement proposal photos and amazed tourists, it's the very image of the city of Paris: romantic, magical and magnificent.
You love sunsets, so you're ready to travel to the other side of the world to admire them. So it's up to you to discover 10 of the most beautiful places to see a sunset around the globe.
2. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière to admire golden Lyon
In Lyon, the weather is very often fine - it's so pleasant! At the end of the day, if you want a unique view over the city to admire the sunset, we can't recommend going up to the Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica. If you're feeling brave, you can do so on foot, or take the funicular from Vieux Lyon to save money. You won't be disappointed when you arrive. Fourvière offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. You'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Tour Crayon, which is never far from the eraser-shaped tower. Along with Fourvière, one of the most beautiful basilicas to visit, you'll discover Lyon in a whole new light... Time for a sunset.
Good to know : Don't just enjoy the view from Fourvière; if you go inside, you'll be amazed by the blue and gold mosaics that decorate the walls and ceiling of the basilica.
To find out more about Lyon, one of France's most beautiful cities, discover What to do and see in Lyon? The 17 must-sees in 2025.
3. The Dune du Pilat, a mountain of magic with just a few seeds of poetry
With your feet in the sand, perched 110 metres high, you can admire the Arcachon Basin and the forests of the Landes. The Dune du Pilat was a great place to watch the sun go down. It's golden hour, and even if you're dazzled by the picture before your eyes, the most beautiful sight is the grains of sand that move, carried by the wind, as if you were looking at gold. Once the sun has set, you can take your time descending and climbing the dune. One thing's for sure, you'll sleep well tonight!
Article to read what to do in and around Arcachon The 13 must-sees in 2025
4. The cliffs of Étretat, in Normandy, one of the most beautiful sunsets in France
Normandy, what a region! It's full of treasures, but what we loved most of all was watching the sun set over the cliffs of Etretat. Admiring this spectacle gives you the sweet sensation of having stepped into one of your favourite paintings, Monet's series of the cliffs of Étretat. The white chalk of the cliffs seems to capture the light, turning golden, pink and orange as the sun sets. The horizon stretches out before you as far as the eye can see, the sound of the waves lulls you to sleep, and as you admire the Arch and Needle of Étretat, you tell yourself that happiness comes from very little after all.
Did you know that? Maurice Leblanc, creator of Arsène Lupin, was so fascinated by Étretat that he set several adventures of his gentleman burglar there.
You didn't really know much about Normandy before coming to the cliffs of Étretat, and now you're thinking you'd like to get to know the region better. Discover the 21 must-sees in Normandy.
5. A sunset at the Pointe du Raz, Finistère at the end of the world and the end of the light
Brittany, you'll love it, and you'll understand this expression better after experiencing a moment suspended in time: a sunset at the Pointe du Raz. You're in the right place. You know it because all the things you love surround you: nature, the birds circling in the sky, the waves forming and breaking, the relief on the rocks. On the sea, you catch a glimpse of a few floating star seeds, the last of the rays reflecting off the sea. There's no doubt about it, you're in the midst of some sweet orange-coloured poetry, so delicious... perhaps even more so than kungnaman, and that's saying something!
Good to know pointe du Raz: A victim of its own success, with 800,000 visitors a year in the 1990s, Pointe du Raz was completely redeveloped in 1996. The site has now been awarded the "Grand Site de France" label.
Would you like to see more viewpoints like this one? Discover 10 secret beaches protected from overtourism in Brittany.
6. Golden reflections on the Bordeaux mirror: the Esplanade
If you know how to grasp it, beauty is something you can offer yourself, especially when it can be applied to an existing masterpiece to make it shine even brighter. Watching a sunset on the esplanade in front of the Bourse in Bordeaux is a feast for the eyes. Faced with an architectural diamond, the golden rays seem to sublimate it, illuminating it with a new, transcendent, sublime light. The shades in the sky colour the mirror of water, and you are not witnessing one sunset, but two. The square is alive with life, the sunset sublime, what an evening, a real summer rhyme.
This part of the city will remain engraved in your memory. But there's more to Bordeaux than just the esplanade - it's a city you absolutely must explore and discover! Doubtful? Discover the 17 must-do things to do in Bordeaux.
Did you know? Every year, the Esplanade plays host to Bordeaux's funfair, one of the oldest in France.
7. The calanques of Cassis for some of the most beautiful sunsets in France
There's nothing to worry about in Cassis. You love this pretty southern town above all else. A harbour full of charm, a little square where pétanque enthusiasts meet up, cafés where you can read without seeing the time go by... At Petit Futé, this is one of our favourite towns. But what we never fail to do when we're in Cassis is to get some good shoes and head off to the calanques. At the end of the day, when the sun gives way to the kingdom of night, you will be lucky enough to witness a rainbow of warm colours in the sky with a thousand and one shades. Sitting against a rock, alone or accompanied, you'll keep repeating to yourself: Cassis without worries, until Cassis is finished, worries too!
We love this charming little town in the south of France. Strolling along the harbour, shopping in the many boutiques of Cassis, strolling in the calanques... There's so much to do! In fact, check out the 11 must-do things to do in Cassis.
8. A sunset amid lavender, mauve and gold: when Provence catches fire
You're an unconditional Monet fan, and some things are just like that, there's nothing you can do about it. Following in the footsteps of your favourite artist, you found yourself in a lavender field watching the sun set. You had no choice, it was your only option to rediscover the shades and colours of your favourite paintings: Charing Cross Bridge, The Thames and London or even the Houses of Parliament. Hole in the fog. With a sparkle in your eye, you tell yourself thatwatching a sunset in the lavender fields of Provence was a wonderful idea... a picture of beauty you won't soon forget!
Read this article the 15 most beautiful villages in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region
9. Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the Baie des Anges lit up in azure and gold
Strolling along the Promenade des Anglais, with Nice 's colourful buildings on one side and the sea on the other, where the sun comes down and then disappears. There's only one thing to do when you see all this: sit on the beach, in the sand or on one of the famous blue chairs lining the promenade. Whether you're in winter, spring or summer, only the time of day will change, but the colours will remain sublime. At Petit Futé, we love this holiday setting: the sea, the palm trees and the beach. Just like the sunsets, we can't get enough of this walk, so if you can combine the two... there's nothing better.
What a beautiful city Nice is! Discover the 13 must-sees in the city.
Did you know that? The Promenade des Anglais owes its name to the wealthy British aristocrats who, in the 19th century, financed its construction so that they could stroll in style along the seafront.
10. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, golden Paris at your feet from the white dome
In the mood for romance? It doesn't getmore romantic than Montmartre, with its Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in the 18th arrondissement. Sitting on the steps with your other half, you'll admire a golden Paris, a teeming anthill, seen from above and coloured with orange lights. Standing on this vantage point is both magical and relaxing. As the sun descends into the sky, you feel a pang of sadness. You hate the end of sunsets, but you comfort yourself with the certainty that tomorrow will bring the same phenomenon you cherish so much.
When you visit Paris for the first time, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is a must. To make sure you don't miss out on any other monuments and addresses, check out Visiting Paris for the first time: the must-sees.
11. Jardin des Curiosités, Lyon, one of the most beautiful sunsets in France
It's no secret thatLyon is one of the most beautiful cities in France. But have you heard of the Jardin des Curiosités? It's well known to everyone in Lyon, but relatively few people visit it. And yet it's the best vantage point from which to observe Lyon. As the sun sets, the capital of French gastronomy takes on a different hue and the sky turns pink. Would you like to witness this solar spectacle and see if it lives up to your expectations? Then be sure to visit the Jardin des Curiosités.
Visiting a city also means sampling its specialities. In Lyon, get your stomachs ready - there's plenty to do! Discover now our top 11 Lyon culinary specialities.
Did you know? The name Jardin des Curiosités refers to the curiosity cabinets of the Renaissance. The garden features rare and exotic plant species, like an open-air botanical cabinet.
12. A sunset on the Quai de la Daurade in Toulouse: the Pink City reddened by the setting sun
Oh Toulouse! At Petit Futé, it was unthinkable for us to offer this selection without a spot in the Pink City. The Quai de la Daurade is one of the best places in Toulouse for a stroll and an even better vantage point for admiring the sunsets. Sitting on the quays in good company with an aperitif, the sunset is a magical opening to a summer's evening and the creation of precious memories.
You won't really get to know the pink city until you've visited the 11 must-sees in Toulouse. So, are you ready for adventure?
13. Les Goudes in Marseille: when the sun plunges into the Mediterranean
Located in the 8ᵉ arrondissement of Marseille, there's Les Goudes, it's a place for swimming and relaxing. After an invigorating swim, there's nothing like watching the day fade and the colours reveal themselves in the sky. If you want to feel like you're on holiday without really leaving the city, and admire a peaceful sunset, we recommend this spot!
Article to read what to do and see in Marseille The 15 must-sees
14. The Calanques de Piana, Corsica, one of the most beautiful sunsets in France
Watching the sun disappear and give way to night on the Isle of Beauty is the promise of a magical moment. The calanques of Piana are renowned for their beauty and offer a host of viewpoints. As you admire the orange-red granite cliffs, you'll love the soft, peaceful light that envelops you. We recommend that you arrive a little before sunset to choose a spot that suits you best, and that you bringcomfortable clothing (good shoes and a jacket if the wind picks up).
Corsica is the perfect place for a holiday. Sun, green countryside, sea... When are you going on holiday again? In the meantime, if you'd like to do a bit of travelling, check out What to do and see in Corte, Corsica The 11 must-sees.
15. The beach at Cabourg, in the footsteps of Proust in the Normandy twilight
Normandy has plenty of coastlines to admire sunsets, such as Bernières-sur-Mer and Lion-sur-Mer, with beach bars where you can sip a cocktail and watch the sun go down. But despite everything, the best place to admire a sunset is in Cabourg. As you walk along the promenade, you can admire the reflections of the orange rays on the water, and then, to end the show in style, sit down on one of the many terraces lining the promenade.
Discover our article what to do in Cabourg 15 must-do activities
Did you know? Marcel Proust stayed at the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg every summer between 1907 and 1914. The beach and promenade were a direct inspiration for Balbec, the fictional seaside resort in his novel "In Search of Lost Time".
Fancy going to see one of these sunsets? Book your train ticket now using the box below!
