Die besten Strände

The one problem with having so many coastal hotspots: Choosing which one to check out first! Ideally, you’d conquer the whole lot in one wonderful, leisurely road trip, traversing the French Riviera coast, looping through the French countryside’s vineyards, und saugen Sie im Laufe eines Sommers alles in sich auf.

Da es heutzutage jedoch schwierig ist, an reiche Gönner und mehrere Monate Urlaub zu kommen, haben wir diese Liste erstellt, damit Sie sich auf den Strand Ihrer Wahl konzentrieren und diese Orte nacheinander von Ihrer Wunschliste streichen können.

But first, make sure to read our guide to important things to know about French Riviera beaches.

Here are the French Riviera’s best beaches, in alphabetical order:

Antibes & Juan-les-Pins’ Beaches

Antibes is surrounded by beautiful beaches, and unlike a lot of the pebbly French Riviera, there’s plenty of golden sand with its clear turquoise waters. Both Antibes and Juan-les-Pins see a flood of Parisian tourists come summertime, so skip the beach blanket and fork over a few euros at one of the seaside restaurants or hotels to enjoy the classic Côte d’Azur vibe —and champagne service— on a sunbed sans crowding. Even the swimming-averse will love strolling and shopping the promenade, and if you’re up for an adventure, the town has a variety of scuba, snorkel, and parasailing outfitters to get your adrenaline pumping.

Antibes: Gravette Beach

Gravette Beach  is a horseshoe-shaped beach below Antibes Neben mittelalterlichen Stadtmauern hat dieser Strand einiges zu bieten. Er ist breit, sandig, komplett öffentlich und liegt mitten in der Altstadt. Perfekt für ein kurzes Bad bei der Erkundung von Antibes oder für ein Picknick am Tag.

It’s the closest beach to town, accessed though an archway from Port Vauban Es bietet einen idealen Rückzugsort für Touristen, die nach einem Spaziergang in der Umgebung ein Bad nehmen möchten. Die geschützte Bucht lädt zum Schwimmen ein, oder genießen Sie bei Sonnenuntergang gemeinsam mit den Einheimischen einen Aperitif am Strand. Der Strand verfügt über Duschen und Imbissstände, und im nahegelegenen Alten Hafen gibt es keine Parkmöglichkeiten.

Antibes: Private Beaches

Further south again is Garoupe Beach , home to luxury private beach clubs in summer. This is where you can hire a lounger with drinks service – just don’t go boasting about it on social media, as the beach has enforced a selfie ban (yes, really!) Lounge chairs are also available for rent in the beachside restaurants, and there are public showers in the area as well.

Antibes: Water Sports

Just south of town are a couple more sandy stretches – Ponteil Beach , next to the Antibes Yacht Club (where you can hire boats or kayaks), and Salis Beach . Both have shallow water and lifeguards on duty in the summer. These narrow beaches are a perfect home base for travelers hoping for sun, sand, and a host of activities to choose from.

Schauen Sie sich unseren Leitfaden an the best places for water sports on the French Riviera.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer‘s Beaches

Despite being a small town, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is where in-the-know locals go to escape the crowds in Nice. The beaches here look sandy but are actually made of very tiny pebbles.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer: Fourmis Beach

Fourmis Beach can be found in the west of the port and has fine gravel sand. Children can play safely in the shallow part of the water and there are diving platforms for adults. It is near a beautiful boulevard lined with pine and palm trees, though the beach offers no shade. Showers and toilets are available but parking can be very difficult and we recommend to look in the town.

Beaulieu-sur-Mer: Petite Afrique Beach

The pebbles on this beach are fine it is almost like sand. Petite Afrique Beach is a favorite among Beaulieu-sur-Mer residents. This sheltered cove has incredible scenery around and with lots of facilities. Showers and toilets are available including lifeguard services and paid parking with enough space. There is an area for kids to play in the shade of pine trees, as well as a beach volleyball court, a small snack bar, and a beach club. Watersports like skis, paddleboards, and banana boats are available from a private company.

Bormes-les-Mimosas: Pellegrin Beach

Down a dusty road, surrounded by olive orchards and grapevines that roll on for as far as the eye can see, you’ll find one of the South of France’s local treasures: Pellegrin beach . Pellegrin beach brings together all of the elements that make this corner of the world so spectacular—fantastic scenery, unbeatable organic wineries, and gourmet French dining.

Since its “hideaway” location and paid parking can be a deterrent, if you play your cards right, you might have this idyllic strip of sand all to yourself. Set up camp under a shady pine tree, sip take-away organic espressos, and take in the morning’s stunning sights as the gentle waves roll into the calm turquoise shore. The water is warm, and it would be easy to confuse this little strip of paradise with a tropical island.

Kasse our guide to Pellegrin beach and the nearby wineries and seaside walk.

Cannes‘ Beaches

Cannes is a favorite for sunbathers because of its soft sand, proximity to shops and hotels, and huge range of options for restaurants, bars and private beaches. Drenched in generous sunshine even in the off-season, Cannes has no shortage of beaches, the difference being that Cannes’ beaches are made of fine sand (whereas Nice’s are pebbles).

Cannes: Croisette’s Private Beaches

Cannes is the best place on the French Riviera for private beaches (aside from Ramatuelle in the summer, if you want a scene). Most of the beach along the Promenade de la Croisette is divided up into private beaches with loungers and restaurants. Many are owned by the exclusive hotels in the area, like Miramar Plage , Carlton Beach Club , Und La Plage du Martinez . Walk down the beach in this area and pick the spot that appeals to you the most. Our favorites are: La Plage du Festival Und Odine Plage .

Cannes: Midi’s Public Beaches

If the thought of paying for beach access doesn’t sit comfortably with you, there are public beaches on the western side of the Pointe Croisette . The largest of the section of public beaches in the area is along the 700-meter-long Boulevard du Midi . Named for the boulevard du Midi Jean Hibert, this cluster of beaches is on the other side of Cannes’ Old Port. It’s a busy commercial and residential area and these beaches are popular with locals.

Full of young people and families, you won’t feel out of place and your children will be able to play beach games comfortably without worrying about bothering your beach neighbors. There is also a play area just for kids, making it a perfect place for families.

Im Sommer bieten hier viele Strandclubs Lounges an. Es gibt öffentliche Duschen, zahlreiche Geschäfte, Cafés und Kioske für Erfrischungen. Erwarten Sie hier keine kulinarischen Experimente; die Gäste bevorzugen einfache französische/italienische/Meeresfrüchte-Gerichte.

As you walk west past the beach-restaurants, you come to a long public stretch of sand with beach showers and little else but a beach volleyball court. There are snack stands every 100m or so where you can pick up sandwiches and drinks.

Cap d’Ail‘s Beaches

Cap d’Ail is walkable from Monaco, and the beach restaurants are less expensive, the vibe is more chill, and it’s more family-friendly.

Cap d’Ail: Mala Beach

Mala Beach is a white sand and pebble beach that is accessible through two winding staircases among the fragrant trees. A large portion is for the public complete with enough showers and toilets. If you want to rent sun loungers and deckchairs, you can rent them from two nearby restaurants. There is no parking space, but the beach is very walkable from Cap d’Ail town, and you can get there from Monaco via a beautiful seaside walking trail. Due to the path leading to the beach, the beach has no wheelchair or disabled access. Also, use judgment when deciding to take kids.

Cap d’Ail: Marquet Beach

Marquet Beach is very accessible from Monaco (it borders Fontvieille and is where the Cap d’Ail seaside walking trail Der Strand ist ideal für Familien. Snacks und Getränke sind in mehreren ausgezeichneten Strandrestaurants erhältlich. Der Strand besteht aus kleinen Kieselsteinen, Kies und Sand und bietet einen flachen Abhang und ruhiges Wasser. Die vorgelagerten Felsbrocken laden zum Schnorcheln ein. In der Saison gibt es einen Rettungsschwimmer, bei dem Sie Strandausrüstung wie Paddleboards usw. ausleihen können. Im Bereich des Parks gibt es Duschen mit Sonnenschirmen. Ein Parkplatz befindet sich an der Westseite des Strandes.

Cap-Ferrat‘s Beaches

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (or simply ‘Cap Ferrat’, as locals call it) is a very special place, and home to some of the world’s most famous & expensive villas. It has several fantastic, small beaches, and a coastal walk connecting them.

Cap Ferrat: Passable Beach

Passable Beach liegt auf der Westseite der Halbinsel Cap-Ferrat. Es ist ein teils öffentlicher, teils privater Strand (mit Liegen und Getränkeservice) mit einem charmanten Restaurant/einer Bar im Freien.

Dieser Strand ist ideal, um den wunderschönen Sonnenuntergang an der Côte d’Azur zu genießen. Es ist ein Kieselstrand, aber die Steine sind klein genug, um Ihre Füße nicht zu verletzen. Das Meer eignet sich gut zum Schnorcheln. Der Strand ist etwas abgeschiedener und ruhiger als andere Strände. Außenduschen und Toiletten sind vorhanden.

It’s about a 15 minute walk from the town of St Jean on Cap Ferrat, which is just on the other side of the cap. There are alley shortcuts you can take, to stay off the main roads.

Cap Ferrat: Paloma Beach

Paloma Beach rests deep within nature with all the greenery surrounding it. It gives a very picturesque view of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the cliffs of Eze. Like Passable Beach, it is also semi-public. Pines of the nearby cliffs give shelter from wind and make for the gentle waves in the bay. You can try a few watersports like paddle boarding and water skiing. There are showers and toilets accessible to all visitors. Parking space is along the road over the beach.

Cap Ferrat: Cros Dei Pin Beach

Cros Dei Pin Beach is the main beach of Cap Ferrat. It is sandy and stretches for 150 meters with a view facing Beaulieu-sur-Mer. It is very family-friendly with a water-slide for children. There is also a watersports facility, along with a beach volleyball court and snack bar. Parking is paid nearby the watersports center.

Cap Martin: Carnolès Beach

Carnolès Beach is a lovable urban beach that is very accessible — only a few strides from the train station. It is near a beautiful promenade with a very good view of the nearby town of Menton and the distant hills of Italy. You may find the beach kid-friendly for its calm water. There are plenty of places to get snacks while parasols and chairs are available for rent in some of the nearby “managed” beaches. You can park in the nearby parking spaces about 10 meters away from the beach.

Monaco: Larvotto Beach

One of the best spots in Monaco, Larvotto Beach ist ein künstlich angelegter Sandstrand. Er verfügt über eine große Promenade mit mehreren gehobenen Restaurants am Strand.

Zum Schwimmen und Sonnenbaden ist er bestens geeignet – natürlich nur im Designer-Badeanzug! Wer die Hochhäuser im Hintergrund nicht sehen möchte, kann sich die schicken Yachten im Wasser ansehen.

If the public beach is crowded, you can check the adjacent private beaches attached to The Meridien Beach Plaza and Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel . There is also a small public pebble beach on east side of Hotel Monte-Carlo Bay .

Menton: Sablettes Beach

East of the port is where you’ll find the sandy Sablettes Beach , with its combination of sand, and pebbles. The beach is quiet and sheltered but has a lovely view of the town of Menton and its beautifully painted houses. The shallow waters are perfect for youngsters, and the beach is large with packed-down sand. Take a break and have a gelato, or pick up a snack at one of the coastal road snack booths or the restaurants to the east.

Nice‘s Beaches

Nice has a long, deep stretch of beach that goes along most of the city. It’s a pebble beach, which has its advantages: no sand in your shoes, less cleanup, etc. and its disadvantages: it’s not soft to sit on.

Nice: Public Beaches

The main area of Nice has beach all along the coast. There are plenty of restaurants on the beach where you can get a drink or fantastic meal, and if you get bored you can just cross the street into the main part of Nice. The public beach area is quite narrow, and all the beaches along the Promenade are pebbly. There is also a nearby watersports activities center. The public beaches have all the necessary facilities for guests, such as wash areas and showers. Keep an eye on your valuables as there are pickpocketers on the beach in Nice.

Nice: Private Beaches

There are 15 private beaches in Nice. They are comfortable and you will generally eat well, but they are not as high-end as Monaco or Cannes; the exception being the (frankly, overpriced) Negresco Beach Club . Watch out for the “per 100g” pricing on the Negresco menu, as it usually ends up being much more expensive than anticipated. We recommend you avoid the Negresco and head to the similarly luxe (and better located) Le Galet instead. If you’re looking for something a bit more local and fun, head to Castel Plage which is a local (and gay-friendly) hangout. With family? La Vela is promotes itself as ‘family chic’.

Saint-Tropez: Pampelonne Beach

If you’re looking for a party — a beach for you to see and be seen — this is the place to go. The fine sand of Pampelonne Beach Er erstreckt sich fast fünf Kilometer entlang der Küste und bietet eine bemerkenswerte Naturkulisse mit ländlicher Kulisse, die einen wunderschönen Rundumblick bietet. Keine Hochhäuser stören die Aussicht, nur der faszinierende Anblick des Sandes und der Superyachten in der Bucht.

Ein Teil des Strandes ist privat. Hier gibt es Strandclubs mit privaten Pools, Restaurants und der Vermietung von Sonnenliegen und Sonnenschirmen. Der restliche größere Teil ist jedoch für die Öffentlichkeit frei zugänglich. Wassersportmöglichkeiten gibt es an den Kiosken entlang des Strandes.

There’s a lot to say about St. Tropez’s beach clubs, so here’s a complete guide to St. Tropez’s Beach Clubs. Note that they’re only open from April/May to September/October, and St-Tropez is a ghost town in the winter.

Villefranche-sur-Mer: Marinieres Beach

Marinieres Beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer is a thin but long beach stretching for about a kilometer. A stunning view surrounds the beach that curves along the coast. It is near the train stop and easily accessible, and along the road going to the beach, there are several snack bars. Showers and toilets are available. The gently sloping shallows are perfect for kids just getting the hang of the water, and more confident swimmers will love snorkeling the fish-filled rock hollows further offshore. Parking can be tough in the summer, so we recommend taking the train.