Beaches in the French Riviera
Travel journalist
My preferred Côte d'Azur beaches:
Destination Southern France, with its array of beaches, coves and creeks! The Côte d'Azur is a lovely region thanks to its all-year-round mild climate and beautiful beaches scattered all along the coast. To help you decide where to lay down your towel this summer, I have selected the top 15 most beautiful beaches of the Côte d'Azur.
The most beautiful beaches
Notre-Dame beach, Porquerolles
The beautiful Notre-Dame beach, on Porquerolles island, is often cited as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Located about a 30-minute walk from the village, it is well-known for its crystal-clear water and shade from the adjacent pine forest Surprisingly, it’s not that busy because it’s quite isolated. Don’t think twice about stopping there for a swim during a bike ride around the island.
Fossettes beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
A real favourite, Fossettes beach is located at Saint-Hospice point, on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. Pretty much cast aside by tourists who now prefer Paloma beach, it’s lovely and quiet and allows you to relax to the sweet sound of cicadas. An underwater trail leaves from one end of the beach where you can discover the marvels of the marine world.
Cap Taillat beach, Ramatuelle
Cap Taillat beach has a superb view! At the crossroads between La Croix-Valmer and Ramatuelle, it offers a superb panorama over Cap Taillat. It will take you 35 minutes to walk along the coastal path. In July 2017, Cap Taillat was unfortunately ravaged by fire but the vegetation is beginning to grow again, and the beach is still beautiful.
Calanque d’En-Vau beach, Cassis
The Calanque d’En-Vau beach is undoubtedly the most beautiful in Cassis. Accessible via a 50-minute hiking trail through idyllic landscapes, it will reward you with a well-deserved break. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to rent a kayak, but you can also relax at the edge of the turquoise waters ... keeping an eye out for the few wild boars that are known to wander around!
Pampelonne beach, Ramatuelle
Pampelonne beach is one of the most iconic on the Côte d'Azur and for good reason. This 5km-long stretch of sand is divided into 5 sections. The least frequented is the one near Bonne-Terrasse Cove, to the extreme south. Many restaurants and bars line the beach making it a popular destination for families as well as couples.
Plage du Débarquement (Landing beach), Saint-Raphaël
This beach is steeped in history: it was one of the main landing points for Allied troops during the Second World War. It’s worth seeing because it offers a beautiful panorama of the Ile d'Or, just opposite. Made up of half pebble, half sand, it is suitable for all tastes.
Elephant Beach, Le Lavandou
A little bit of paradise, Elephant beach is part of the Jean Blanc collection of beaches. It’s reached by a pretty tough staircase of around 100 steps, but the reward is worth it. This small secluded cove is popular with romantics because it’s very uncrowded. In addition, its white sand makes it very photogenic.
Estagnol beach, Bormes-les-Mimosas
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d'Azur. This 500 m stretch of fine sand is beautiful for walks and taking a dip. You can enjoy a beautiful view of Porquerolles island and the Gien peninsula. Please note however that access to the beach is not free because it’s located on a private estate. The parking is quite expensive ...
Cigales beach, Port-Grimaud
Cigales beach is very authentic: its adorable little bridge leading to the lighthouse makes it unique. Its charm and clear waters attract both holidaymakers and locals. This sandy beach is popular with families because it is less wild than other coves in the area. Please note that it can be difficult to find parking spaces in this area.
Mala Beach, Cap d’Ail
Mala beach is worth a visit, the only downside is the admission fee. It’s reached by the coastal path, which is quite steep, or down one hundred steps. Its large expanse of rock-framed turquoise waters almost looks too good to be true. The two beachside private beach-restaurants allow you to enjoy a cocktail or fish dish on the water’s edge.
Plage de la crique Portet (Portet Cove beach), Iles de Lérins
Portet Cove beach is one of the least known beaches on Sainte-Marguerite Island, the largest of the two Lérins islands. Located just after the forest house, it has a beautiful setting with flat rocks that surround it on both sides. Arrive early in the day to enjoy; it’s rather small!
Garoupe beach, Cap d’Antibes
Take the Cap d'Antibes trail for around 3 kilometres before stopping for a relaxing break in Cap d'Antibes. Its crystal-clear water is a sight for sore eyes and attracts many holidaymakers. Several restaurants are nearby and offer lunch overlooking the sea.
Buse beach, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Buse beach has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ which piques curiosity. This small stretch of pebble beach is at the bottom of a steep staircase which makes access a little more difficult. You can visit the cabin built by the famous architect Le Corbusier, who loved this beach. Nearby, a beautifully landscaped park surrounds the creek and offers a magnificent view.
Réserve Beach, Nice
The Réserve beach in Nice is an excellent alternative to beaches near the Albert I garden, which are often invaded by tourists during the summer months. Frequented almost exclusively by locals, it consists of an expanse of pebbles and some rocky coves. Be careful, due to its proximity to the port there are often some big waves.
Plage de la crique des pêcheurs (Fisherman Cove), Monaco
A well-kept secret ... Monaco is not usually famous for its beaches, but Fisherman Cove brings a little calm and serenity to the excitement of this city. To reach it, you have to go down some stairs near the fisherman's car park or go through the Rainier-III dyke. It’s a very narrow, gravel beach which is usually only visited by those lucky enough to know of its existence.