Southern France
The south of France is known for its charming warm waters where Cousteau first experimented with this famous Aqua Lung.
Explore France
Diving in France offers an exceptional experience for enthusiasts seeking a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and adventure. The country's diverse diving environments range from vibrant coral reefs in the Mediterranean to the dramatic walls and wrecks along the Atlantic coast. Notably, France is the birthplace of Jacques Cousteau, a pioneer in the world of scuba diving, which adds a historical depth to the diving culture here. Enthusiasts can explore underwater caves, particularly in regions like the Lot and Dordogne, renowned for their intricate and fascinating cave diving sites.
Marine life in France is both abundant and varied, featuring species like colorful groupers, playful dolphins, and elusive seahorses in the Mediterranean Sea. The country also offers a range of dive styles, including shore dives, boat excursions, and liveaboard adventures, catering to divers of all preferences. Seasonal changes bring different delights; for instance, the summer months are ideal for warm water diving in the south, while the Atlantic coast offers rich experiences year-round. Under French law, diving is carefully regulated, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience led by the Dive Director, who oversees every aspect of each dive.
Power Plug Type
C, E
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, Cir, Plus
Tipping
Service Included / Restaurant Staff / By law, a 15% service charge is included in restaurant bills; additional tipping is not required but appreciated for good service.
Currency
EUR
Dial Code
+33
Electricity
230V / 50Hz
Time
UTC+1, UTC+2
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in France
France, with its extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, offers a rich variety of marine life. In the Mediterranean, divers frequently encounter vibrant reef fish like damselfish, wrasses, and various species of grouper. The waters around the French Riviera are particularly known for their sea bream and octopus. Seasonal highlights include encounters with loggerhead turtles and various species of rays, especially during the warmer months from May to September. In the Atlantic, around Brittany, divers may spot larger marine life such as basking sharks and even the occasional dolphin. Winter months often bring sightings of grey seals in northern waters, making France a year-round destination for marine enthusiasts.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
11k Sightings
J
55
F
64
M
79
A
342
M
850
J
1.2k
J
2.3k
A
3.1k
S
1.7k
O
900
N
266
D
107
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
4.3k Sightings
J
35
F
18
M
51
A
166
M
419
J
600
J
1.2k
A
1k
S
422
O
207
N
79
D
39
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
4.1k Sightings
J
18
F
10
M
25
A
77
M
273
J
472
J
867
A
1.2k
S
654
O
423
N
116
D
30
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
767 Sightings
J
12
F
12
M
10
A
38
M
80
J
66
J
195
A
203
S
67
O
36
N
31
D
17
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
12k Sightings
J
42
F
47
M
78
A
245
M
832
J
1.3k
J
2.6k
A
3.5k
S
1.7k
O
877
N
270
D
85
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
3.2k Sightings
J
22
F
35
M
47
A
151
M
325
J
357
J
562
A
826
S
415
O
248
N
131
D
54
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3
iStock-jpa1999
Perch
2.1k Sightings
J
31
F
26
M
28
A
71
M
156
J
296
J
425
A
491
S
306
O
173
N
92
D
41
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 190
Alamy-Water Frame
Conger Eel
1.9k Sightings
J
13
F
13
M
24
A
73
M
171
J
166
J
417
A
543
S
246
O
142
N
54
D
22
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
1.5k Sightings
J
11
F
10
M
17
A
68
M
143
J
160
J
255
A
478
S
238
O
91
N
37
D
22
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 5
iStock-abadonian
Pike
1.1k Sightings
J
27
F
15
M
35
A
45
M
82
J
132
J
196
A
226
S
135
O
68
N
61
D
40
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 55
Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster
865 Sightings
J
16
F
19
M
15
A
66
M
71
J
90
J
180
A
220
S
85
O
57
N
28
D
18
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 30
Shutterstock-Rostislav Stefanek
Carp
831 Sightings
J
6
F
10
M
9
A
22
M
40
J
96
J
189
A
225
S
140
O
60
N
29
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
Shutterstock-dushkovladimir
Crayfish
720 Sightings
J
7
F
11
M
19
A
25
M
73
J
92
J
141
A
155
S
64
O
77
N
40
D
16