French beach flags and coloured buoys explained

Emergency services report a sharp rise in drownings and near-drownings in the south

Supervised bathing areas are indicated by a perimeter of blue flags, with red, orange and green flags to signal the conditions
Richard Henshell
Published

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Beachgoers in France are reminded to follow flag and buoy signals this summer as emergency services report a sharp rise in drownings and near-drownings, particularly in the south.

Between June and September 2024, 145 fatal drownings occurred at sea in France, according to data from the French health authority Santé publique, making beaches the country’s most dangerous location for water-related deaths, ahead of rivers and lakes. 

Many of these deaths could have been avoided had they instead bathed in supervised areas and heeded safety signals.

These areas are indicated by a perimeter of blue flags, with red, orange and green flags to signal the conditions.

Read more: Beach in Gironde named cleanest in France: see how others rate

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