Do you plan on spending some time at the beach during your Côte d’Azur getaway? Then this overview of the best French Riviera beaches is exactly what you need!
This beautiful South France region brims with sightseeing attractions. So much so, that it can be tempting to overload your travel itinerary. But the real magic of the Côte d’Azur happens when you slow down and savor the moment. No better place to do so than along its alluring coastline.
My curated collection of French Riviera beaches includes tranquil public beaches where you can recharge your batteries and glamorous private beach clubs where you can dance the night away.
From hidden rocky coves to sweeping sandy shores, I’ve spent years discovering the best spots to lay your towel – and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you.
Are you ready to discover the best beaches on the French Riviera? Let’s dive in!
This article features the best beaches on the French Riviera for first-time visitors, repeat visitors, couples, and families alike. It also features expert travel tips for a carefree and safe beach experience.
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My Top Picks
A quick word about the beaches on the French Riviera
The coastline of the French Riviera has a very diverse geology and the beaches follow that trend with a mix of soft sand, gravel, pebbles, and rocky beaches.
All beaches in Nice have smooth pebbles – “galets” in French – while Cannes features sandy beaches. Many other French Riviera destinations have mostly gravel beaches with varying grain sizes. Therefore, I’d strongly recommend adding a pair of water shoes to your packing list for the French Riviera packing.
Another thing to note is that the Côte d’Azur has public beaches that are free and private beaches that are paying. Especially in or near the towns, both types share the same patch of sand. By law, at least 80% of all city beaches should remain public, and up to 20% can be exploited by private companies.
If you choose to lay your towel on a public French Riviera beach beach, then you might benefit from a padded beach mat under your beach towel to deal with the gravel or pebbles.
The private beach clubs are open from mid-April to mid- or end-October. They offer comfy sunbeds – “transats” in French – and an umbrella. The cost usually varies between €20 and €150 per sunbed and may or may not include an umbrella. The closer to the waterline, the higher the cost.
If you plan to spend time at the beach during the high season, reserve your beach chairs ahead of time. Just be aware that some beach concessions don’t allow reservations for the first few rows.
The turquoise waters of the French Mediterranean can reach 24°C (or 75.2°F) in August and range around 13.5°C (or 56.3°F) during the winter months. Water temperatures can always be checked on this website by clicking on the name of your destination and scrolling to “température de l’eau”.
My selection of the best French Riviera beaches
As you may know, there’s no consensus on the western border of the French Riviera since it’s more of a marketing concept. For me, Hyères marks the western border. However, in this article, I include one beach that’s located even more west, simply because it’s so alluring.
Here’s my selection of the most beautiful beaches of the French Riviera.
Psst… At the end of this article, you’ll find a map showing the location of all beaches in this list.
1. La Paloma Beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Nestled in the scenic Scaletta Cove on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, lies Plage de la Paloma. This small, sheltered bay offers crystal-clear waters in a beautifully tranquil setting.
With views over Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Èze and luxurious yachts on anchor behind the bay, this little slice of paradise is one of the most alluring French Mediterranean beaches on this list.
No parking nearby but it’s a pleasant walk from the center of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Tip: Don’t miss the section of the Sentier du Littoral or coastal path that runs along the entire peninsula of Cap-Ferrat. La Paloma Beach makes for a great picnic spot along the way.
I love the intimate setting of this iconic beach. It’s also one of the few north-facing beaches on the French Riviera, providing plenty of natural shade.
2. Marinières Beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Plage des Marinières is one of the most idyllic beaches on the Côte d’Azur. This long stretch of beach hugs the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the backdrop of the historic town adds that classic French Riviera flair.
The slope is very gentle and the waters are shallow with a sandy bottom. The water feels warm from mid-spring onwards, making this a great place for a dip early in the season.
The pebbles can make it somewhat uncomfortable to position an umbrella. I’d also recommend a padded mattress for a more comfortable experience if you plan on spending the day on the public side of the beach.
Marinières Beach is easily accessible from Nice, making it perfect for day-trippers. This beach is a popular hangout for Niçois too.
3. La Garoupe Beach in Antibes
If you’re after that postcard-perfect Mediterranean beach experience, head to Plage de La Garoupe. The crescent-shaped bay shelters turquoise waters and the views of the Alps meeting the sea are breathtaking.
The soft sands make this beach very comfortable, even without a sun bed at the iconic Keller Beach. But the service in the private club is wonderful and comes with valet parking. It also features two pontoons for sand-free sunbathing.
La Garoupe Beach is also the location of the trailhead for the Sentier du Littoral or coastal path around the Cap d’Antibes.
4. Mala Beach in Cap d’Ail
One of the most picturesque beaches in the South of France is Plage de la Mala. It’s located in a sheltered bay at the foot of the town of Cap d’Ail.
The fine pebbles make are not too unpleasant to lay on a towel and the gentle drop-off and crystal-clear waters are perfect for a leisurely dip.
Getting there is the hard part since it involves climbing down many steps. The reward is worth it, though, because this beach feels like a luxurious hideaway.
5. La Croisette Beach in Cannes
The legendary Croisette beach strip stretches for two glittering kilometers along Cannes’ most famous boulevard, offering front-row views of luxury hotels and designer boutiques.
Plage de la Croisette is divided into multiple stylish private sections managed by the grand hotels and two spacious public beaches towards either end: Zamenhof Beach and Macé Beach (also known as Plage du Palais des Festivals). All share stunning views across the Bay of Cannes to the Lérins Islands.
The sand of this iconic Southern France beach is fine and pale gold, though you might spot a few small pebbles near the waterline. The sea floor drops off relatively quickly.
Splurging on a private beach club gets you that quintessential Cannes experience: plush loungers, attentive service, and maybe even a celebrity sighting. This is a see-and-be-seen territory, so don’t be surprised if fellow beachgoers are dressed to impress, even in swimwear.
6. Fossettes Beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Tucked away on the western side of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, Plage des Fossettes is one of those hidden gems that feels like a local secret.
This intimate pebble beach sits in a sheltered cove keeping the waters remarkably calm and crystal clear. Its distinctive curved shape, following the natural arc of the bay, offers breathtaking views across the water to Villefranche-sur-Mer’s colorful waterfront.
There’s no beach club here: just pure, unspoiled Mediterranean charm, with a few strategically placed pine trees offering natural shade spots if you arrive early enough to claim them. That all-natural feel is what makes this one of the best beaches of the French Riviera (and one of my absolute personal favorites).
Fossettes Beach is accessible via a scenic portion of the coastal path, about a 15-minute walk from the port, which adds to its secluded feel. Don’t expect any facilities beyond a single outdoor shower.
7. L’Escalet Beach in Ramatuelle
Hidden away on the southern tip of the Saint-Tropez peninsula, Plage de l’Escalet is a string of stunning coves that will make you forget all about the glitz and glamour of the nearby Pampelonne Beach.
The sand texture varies as you move along the beach, creating different zones for everyone’s preference, from powdery soft patches to more textured areas.
The western end offers deeper waters for confident swimmers while the central area maintains a family-friendly depth of around, making it ideal for little ones and casual swimmers. The underwater world at Escalet Beach is amazing and I love snorkeling here.
This wonderful beach is the starting point for the stunning coastal hiking trail, another part of the Sentier du Littoral, leading to Cap Taillat.
There’s something for everyone here: families appreciate the sheltered swimming areas and gentle slopes, snorkelers love the rich marine life, hikers can set off on coastal adventures, and sun-seekers can find natural shade under the pine trees that dot the shoreline.
From June to September, a free shuttle runs between l’Escalet Beach, Pampelonne Beach, and the hilltop center of Ramatuelle. Parking is also available, though it fills up quickly in peak season. There’s a casual beach bar for those midday refreshments, and bathrooms are available.
8. Sablettes Beach in Menton
Nestled beneath Menton’s pastel-painted old town, Plage des Sablettes delivers everything you could want in a Mediterranean beach, with an extra touch of Italian flair. After all, Italy is just around the corner.
This wide, curved stretch consists of fine golden pebbles sloping gently into azure blue waters. The beach’s position in a protected bay, sheltered by Menton’s old port on one side and the dramatic backdrop of the Maritime Alps on the other, ensures calm waters most days.
The promenade above the beach is lined with colorful Belle Époque buildings and a selection of restaurants and cafes where you can grab a gelato or a full meal while enjoying those picture-perfect views of Menton’s historic center.
The afternoon sun position makes this beach particularly magical for photographers. Menton’s pastel buildings seem to glow in warmint light, creating a scene that looks almost too perfect to be real.
9. Petite Afrique Beach in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Nestled in a perfectly curved bay between Nice and Monaco, Plage de la Petite Afrique is a sun-soaked paradise that lives up to its exotic name.
This sheltered beach earned its name “Little Africa” thanks to its unique microclimate – the surrounding cliffs trap the warmth so effectively that palm trees and banana plants thrive here, creating an almost tropical atmosphere on the Riviera. It also fits perfectly with Beaulieu-sur-Mer’s unpretentious vibe.
The gravel beach stretches for about 100 meters, bordered by crystal-clear waters that remain calm thanks to the bay’s natural protection. The gently sloping into the Mediterranean makes it a family-friendly place.
Just a five-minute walk from Beaulieu-sur-Mer’s train station, Petite Afrique offers the perfect mix of convenience and escape. You’ll find all the essential amenities nearby.
10. Billionaires’ Bay Beach on Cap d’Antibes
The horseshoe-shaped Baie des Milliardaires is one of the bays within the Anse de l’Argent Faux or Fake Money Cove, named after the counterfeiters who settled there in the 19th century.
Tucked away between the grand villas of Cap d’Antibes, this secluded bay has long been a favorite hideaway for the world’s elite.
The setting is jaw-dropping, with dramatic limestone cliffs that plunge straight into startlingly clear turquoise waters. Billionaires’ Bay offers some of the most spectacular swimming conditions on the Riviera.
The beach itself consists of large pebbles, some with sharp edges. Getting from the beach to the water is still quite the endeavor. I speak from experience since I’ve made plenty of unelegant appearances on this very beach despite wearing water shoes. Padded beach mats are a necessity.
Getting to Billionaire’s Bay is part of the adventure because of its remote location along the part of the Sentier du Littoral known as the Tour du Cap d’Antibes between Plage de la Garoupe side and Ville Eilenroc. You won’t find any facilities nearby which only adds to the beach’s exclusive feel.
On calm days, you might spot luxury yachts anchored in the deeper waters, with their guests and kayakers enjoying this natural playground alongside the handful of in-the-know beach-goers who’ve made the trek.
11. Larvotto Beach in Monte Carlo
Plage du Larvotto is Monaco’s glamorous urban beach. This carefully maintained stretch of fine gravel and imported sand sits against a backdrop of luxury apartments and swaying palm trees, offering a sophisticated beach experience that perfectly matches the principality’s upscale reputation.
Despite its prestigious location, Larvotto remains one of Monaco’s most democratic spaces. It’s free and open to everyone, proving that you don’t need a yacht to enjoy the Monégasque lifestyle.
The gently sloping entry into the Mediterranean makes it family-friendly, while the crystal-clear waters are protected by an offshore breakwater that keeps the waves calm and perfect for swimming. During summer, lifeguards keep watch over the designated swimming areas.
The recent makeover has given Larvotto an impressive array of amenities: modern changing rooms, spotless showers and toilets, and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that runs the length of the beach.
12. Calanque de Port-Pin Beach in Cassis
Hidden between towering limestone cliffs just outside Cassis, the beach at Calanque de Port-Pin feels like it’s been plucked from a fairytale.
The beach is covered with rough-edged small rocks, so it feels different from the smooth pebbles on other South of France beaches. This only adds to the all-natural charm of this serene hideaway. The limestone deep blue-green Mediterranean waters complete the idyllic setting.
This narrow inlet is the second calanque in the famous Calanques National Park. There are no facilities here, so come prepared with everything you need for the day.
Getting to the Calanque de Port-Pin requires some effort: it’s a 30-minute hike from the parking area near Port-Miou, the first calanque. The trail starts easy but becomes more challenging as you venture deeper into the limestone landscape. Wear proper walking shoes for the hike, and pack water shoes for when you arrive.
Map of all the listed beaches on the French Riviera
For your convenience, I created this map showing the locations of all the French Riviera beaches mentioned on this list.
Beach safety
Before you enter the water, look for the beach flag. A green flag indicates low hazard and lifeguard supervision while a yellow flag indicates medium hazard and lifeguard supervision.
Always stay within the designated swimming zones which are marked by yellow buoys.
Lifeguards can be found daily from 9 am to either 6 pm or 6:30 pm at the most popular public French Riviera beaches during July and August (and on some beaches from early June to mid-September). Private beaches often employ a private lifeguard.
Jellyfish can ruin a beach day. Supervised beaches will hang a purple flag in the event of jellyfish. There’s also an official jellyfish monitor and a crowd-sourced jellyfish radar.
Fortunately, some of the most frequented beaches on the French Riviera are equipped with jellyfish nets from mid-June to mid-September. It’s no guarantee but provides an added layer of security.
Water quality
State agencies perform a water quality analysis at least once a month. You can consult the results of these tests for all French Riviera beaches in this list or check real-time results on this map. Both use the same color code ranging from blue for excellent water quality to red for beaches to avoid.
In addition, many cities also organize and publish weekly quality checks.
The Blue Flag or Pavillon Blue doesn’t directly inform about the water quality but acts more as an indicator of the overall cleanliness of the beach based on the presence of bathrooms, garbage bins, and other criteria.
Beach etiquette
Wearing a bikini top or walking shirtless on the promenades that line the beaches, is prohibited and may result in a fine, so cover up when you leave the beach.
Topless bathing is perfectly acceptable on all French Riviera beaches but burkinis are banned.
Depending on your exact destinations, smoking, and vaping on the beach may be prohibited. Since 2024, this has been the case for Nice.
FAQ about the French Riviera beaches
Which of these French Riviera beaches caught your eye?
Have you found your dream beach for that long-awaited vacation in Nice? However, if the pebbles bother you, then you might prefer the softer, sandy beaches in the French Riviera that I’ll be writing about soon. Stay tuned!
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