The south of France is a hugely popular holiday spot and given the stunning natural coastline and fabulous stretches of sand it’s really not hard to see why. Throw in a lively nightlife scene, fascinating cultural heritage and enjoyable entertainment and you have the perfect recipe for a fantastic summer holiday. The question of the best beaches on the French Riviera is one that is hotly debated, both amongst those who live locally and those who visit regularly. Whilst most tourists often head for the better-known spots, it’s sometimes worth taking a chance and investigating somewhere new to see if you can find the beach of your dreams.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Paloma Beach
Lying just east of Nice, the shingle seafront at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat sits in an area of exclusive holiday homes and villas and is the perfect location for a spot of low-key celebrity spotting. Either take your own towel or hire a sun bed outside the Paloma Beach Restaurant and soak up the rays as you gaze at the movie stars arriving on their yachts.
Bormes-les-Mimosas – Plage de l’Estagnol
Looking like something straight from an island in the Maldives, the soft sand edged blue waters of the lengthy lagoon at Plage de l’Estagnol are very popular with families visiting the area, because of the shallow water and cleanliness of the beach. The beach is three miles south of Bormes-les-Mimosas and backed by a fragrant pine forest should you want a shady spot for a picnic.
The public beach at Cannes
If you’re looking for a lively beach scene then the beach at Cannes is a great option. There are a number of private beaches here but you can also bag a spot on the public beach that runs along the Croisette. Choose a spot across the road from your favourite cafe or bar and then spend the day baking on the beach enjoying your favourite tipple and relaxing to the sounds of the nearby cafes.
Old Antibes Beach
Although not the biggest beach on the Riviera, the beach at Antibes is a great option for families as it is protected by artificial breakwaters and is a safe spot for little ones to swim. The beach is sandy and convenient and gets plenty of sun throughout the day.
Garoupe Beach – Cap D’Antibes
Garoupe beach is located just outside Antibes town and if you’re looking for somewhere exclusive to lay your beach towel then this is the place. With a selection of public and private sections running the length of the beach, as well as a good smattering of bars and restaurants and fine, white sand along its entire length, Garoupe is something of an undiscovered gem.
Plage des Graniers – St Tropez
Although most visitors to St Tropez will probably head for the private beach clubs of Pampelonne or the hugely popular Plage des Salins, Plage des Graniers provides an excellent alternative if you are willing to make just a little effort to travel out of St Tropez itself. A short walk out on the Sentier du Littoral will bring you to Plage des Graniers, where you will find soft sand, few people, shady wood surroundings and nothing to pay for other than the delicious fresh fish and glass of the local rose wine at the beach restaurant.
The French Riviera is blessed with a huge number of fantastic beaches, whatever the kind of atmosphere you’re seeking. Those looking for larger, convenient beaches will enjoy the stretches of sand at Nice and anyone looking for a taste of the highlife and lots of gold bikinis could look to Monte Carlo. If you’re willing to try the smaller, more pebbly beaches, these often have the advantage that you will find many of them uncrowded and quiet even during the peak summer months. Given the number of fabulous stretches of sand in the area though the odds are high that you will find a prime sunbathing spot wherever you go – if you’ve got a sense of adventure then just set off with a moped and a beach towel and see what you can find.
Amy is a guest writer from Easyjet who offer cheap flights to Nice from London, Edinburgh and over 20 other airports across the UK and Europe. Image by Lucas Possiede
