Croatia and France met in the World Cup final to determine the greatest soccer team on Earth. While France won handily, we have been pondering a more pressing question. In a head-to-head, which of these côte d'azur countries offers the best summer splashing? Is it the pristine waters of the Adriatic, or the deep, sparkling blues of the Mediterranean? If one had to leave St. Thomas, where should we go?

SAND

Both have a lot of rocky cliffs, which are beautiful, but not quite as inviting as the soft white stuff. France's Northern coast does offer a lot more sandy stretches to Crotia's limited rocky coast line. 

Goal France

SUNSETS

The South of France is pointed the wrong direction for optimal sunsets. Biarritz is better, but Croatia has that perfect combination of a West facing coast line, plus all sorts of lovely hilly islands that make for particularly unique and dramatic vistas.   

Goal Croatia

CROWDS

Croatia has a few crowded beaches around Dubrovnik and Hvar, but by and large the coast is totally deserted. 

Goal Croatia

FOOD, DRINK, CULTURE

In terms of food and wine, Croatia isn't bad, but come on. This is France we're talking about. And even if Brigitte Bardot and the like have long since hung up their dancing shoes, the enduring glamour of the Cote D'Azur lives on forever. 

Goal France

CLIFF JUMPING

Can't go wrong in either country. 

DRAW

ON SCREEN 

Game of Thrones is filmed in Croatia and the most famous seaside film filmed in France we can think of is To Catch a Thief, (And God Created Women is a close second). They are both too wonderful to declare a victor.

DRAW

Croatia wins 3-2!