Why French municipalities are banning alcohol on beaches
Before opening a bottle by the sea, visitors are advised to check local rules
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A glass of rosé while watching the sunset may seem like the ideal summer outing but in a growing number of French seaside towns it can now lead to a fine.
Across France, multiple municipalities are introducing local restrictions on drinking alcohol on beaches, especially in summer months.
In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, on France’s Basque coast, the municipality introduced restrictions on alcohol consumption on beaches and in public spaces during the summer months.
Sébastien Larroche, from the mairie’s municipal police and parking department, said the decision followed repeated problems with large groups gathering on the beach, particularly in the evening.
“On the Grande Plage and the beaches in particular, alcohol consumption is prohibited because we had large gatherings of young people in the evening,” he told The Connexion.
The problem was most noticeable “either at nightfall or when bars and drinking establishments were closing”, he explained.
“We introduced this to try to counter this phenomenon of gatherings on the beaches and also the alcohol consumption of young people.”
The municipality also wanted to limit situations involving larger groups drinking during the day and people becoming intoxicated on the beach.
For Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the main benefit is that the measure provided police with a clearer framework for action.
“The result was achieved because we have very few gatherings of young people and very few intoxicated people on the beach,” Mr Larroche said.
He explained that the aim is not simply to issue fines, but to prevent situations from escalating.
“For us, it allows us to intervene and have a legal basis to be able to act on the beach in relation to certain incidents that can happen,” he said.
‘The goal is not to penalise everyone’
Although more towns are introducing restrictions, the way they are enforced varies depending on the municipality.
In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Mr Larroche said that enforcement depends on the situation. The goal is not to penalise every person who opens a bottle during a meal on the beach, but to focus on situations where alcohol is linked to disturbances.
“We make the distinction during patrols,” Mr Larroche explained.
“If people are having a small picnic, eating and sharing a bottle of rosé, we are not going to intervene. It is different from a group of young people who are on the beach at 11pm, not eating, and drinking spirits.”
“The distinction is made by the agents in the field, and also with common sense,” he added.
Other municipalities may apply their rules differently. Some choose a stricter approach, with regular patrols and enforcement throughout the summer, while others focus mainly on prevention and intervention when problems arise.
A growing trend along the French coast
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is not alone. A growing number of seaside municipalities have introduced similar measures, particularly during the busy summer season.
In La Baule-Escoublac, drinking alcohol on beaches is prohibited under a municipal order, while La Grande-Motte and Agde have introduced seasonal restrictions. Other coastal towns, including Théoule-sur-Mer, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, Argelès-sur-Mer and Plougonvelin, have also adopted local rules limiting alcohol consumption in beach areas.
The measures differ from one town to another. Some municipalities impose a complete ban on beaches throughout the summer, while others only prohibit alcohol during certain hours, often overnight when the risk of large gatherings and disturbances is considered higher.
Fines can reach €150
The financial penalty also depends on the circumstances and the offence involved. In many municipalities, fines linked to breaches of local alcohol restrictions are around €135, while other towns apply penalties of up to €150.
Visitors should therefore check signs at beach entrances or the municipality’s website before taking alcohol to the beach.
