Best Beaches in the French Riviera
The glamorous French Riviera is blessed with sun drenched beaches, turquoise waters and stunning coastal towns. When you’re not lazing on the beach, you can tuck into delicious French cuisine and sip on local red wine at one of the area’s numerous coastal restaurants, or dance the night away at a beach club. From serene and calm coves to buzzing coastal hot spots that are the place to be seen, the French Riviera has it all for beach lovers.
Petite Afrique Beach
Known as one of the most beautiful French Riviera beaches, Petite Afrique is situated on the eastern side of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. With a dramatic backdrop of towering limestone cliffs, this stunning beach offers plenty of shady spots to relax in and a large children’s playground. There are also lifeguards on duty, showers and toilets, making it an ideal place for families with young children. Thanks to its rocky outcrops, there are plenty of rock pools to splash about in with little ones, and plenty of marine life to explore should you feel like snorkelling. You can get to the beach via bus or train, but by car is easiest. Parking is available close by, but finding a space can prove a challenge in peak season and summer months.
Paloma Beach
When it comes to French Riviera sandy beaches, this is a famous stretch of coastline that used to be a favourite of the Picasso family. It isn’t hard to see why – expect glamorous jet-setters who want to relax on high-end sunbeds or enjoy various water sports like water skiing and jet skiing on the calm azure waters. There are plenty of quiet nooks and coves to explore on this pristine white-sand beach, making it an ideal place for couples and families who want to escape more crowded shores. Compared to other beaches in the region, Paloma has a chilled atmosphere, and offers up spectacular views of Beaulieu-sur-Mer across the bay.
Mala Beach
Plage Mala is a great pebbly beach that is often free from crowds, even in the peak of the busy summer months. It is well known for its crystal clear and calm waters that are ideal for families and small children who want to swim and paddle. Situated near the Cap d’Ali cliffs, the beach offers two seafood restaurants, water sports equipment hire, sun lounger hire and even massage services. There are a number of steps that need to be taken to access the sand, and it takes a good 15 minutes to get down to the shore, but if you can navigate the access, the beach is well worth it. Pushchairs and heavy cooler boxes are not advised because of the steep steps and winding paths that need to be taken for beach access.
Garoupe Beach
If you want to venture out a little further from your Villa Pins Parasols to spend the day on beautiful sandy shores, this beach is a calm and tranquil haven away from the bustle of other resorts, and is one of the best beaches in the French Riviera. Situated on the Antibes Peninsula, south of Antibes city centre, Plage de la Garoupe is a small beach that is considered one of the most beautiful on the surrounding coastline. Sink your feet into the white, soft sand and make your way over to your sun lounger, which you can rent for a nominal fee. The beach also has a headland, which makes an ideal place for spotting fish and other marine life when snorkelling. There are plenty of eateries and shops nearby, should you want to grab a bite to eat. It should be noted that this beach is private during the summer months, but from October to April, it becomes accessible to the general public.
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