10 Best Beaches on the French Riviera

10 Best Beaches on the French Riviera

The South of France is the bucket list vacation destination for many people around the world. The opportunity to spend a few weeks of European summer in these parts is not something often taken lightly. 

Also known as the la Côte d’Azur, the French Riviera offers hundreds of sprawling beaches all framing the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here are 10 of the best, in my humble opinion, though between you and me, you really can’t go wrong no matter where you land up in this part of France. 

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1. Little Africa Beach

Right between Nice and Monaco there lies a small beachside resort called the Beaulieu-sur-Mer. On the eastern end of the resort, there is a public beach that goes by the name of Plage Petite Afrique, or Little Africa. 

Surrounded by sprawling limestone cliffs, this beach is protected from the elements and offers a breathtaking escape for families as the water is unusually warm, even for the Med. It’s perfect for snorkeling, so bring the appropriate equipment along with you. 

2. Valras Plage

Beziers is a town that would be considered off the beaten track in terms of more commercial zones in the French Riviera. Here, we find the beach of Valras, a spacious and vibrant shoreline packed with bars and restaurants. 

The white sands lead to an amusement park nearby, where children are entertained for hours on end while parents soak up their vitamin D. It’s never crowded on this beach, which is not something that can be said for many on the French Riviera. 

Valras Beach – by Michiel1972 – Wikimedia Commons

3. Calanque d’En-Vau 

If there’s but one beach that you take seriously on this list of 10, let it be this one. 

Situated in Cassis, the Calanque d’En-Vau is a tucked away gem of a beach front that requires a short walk down the limestone cliffs in order to get to. Okay, so maybe it’s not a “short” walk per say; it’s an hour and 40 minute walk on a pathway between two gorges. 

Dress appropriately, take plenty of water, and trust in the most glorious views of the Riviera the entire duration. There is nothing quite like it elsewhere in France, this I can assure you. 

Calanque d’En-Vau – by Xxdayvidxx71 – Wikimedia Commons

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4. Les Marinières Beach

Marinieres Beach is a large, sandy bay area in the very old, historic town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It’s accessible by car, bus and train, which makes it a popular stop for travelers during the summer months.

The beach itself is a kilometer long, and incredibly beautiful no matter what angle you approach it from. There are high end restaurants at the base, as well as more informal snack bars for the average Joe. 

Mariniers Beach – by Broenberr – Wikimedia Commons

5. Paloma Beach

Few people visit the French south without stopping by the infamous Paloma Beach. It’s known for being the frequent vacation spot of the Picasso family, and is today visited by the rich and famous from all over the globe. 

Despite being high on the list of many a tourist, it’s never as crowded as you think it’s going to be. Bring a picnic along!

Paloma Beach – by VManteuffel – Wikimedia Commons

6. Point Zero Beach

Not all beaches on the French Riviera look like turquoise water and limestone cliffs. There are some with terrain more on par with that of the African coast, and Point Zero Beach in La Grande-Motte is one of them. 

Here, Mediterranean sun bakes down upon kilometers of dusty sand and green foliage. Although spacious, it does get packed in the summer and is frequented by families with young children. 

Point Zero Beach – by thierrytutin – Wikimedia Commons

7. Garoupe Beach

Just a few kilometers south of Antibes there is a small, budget friendly beach known as Garoupe. Think soft sand and turquoise water, with travelers from all over the world coming together for peace and tranquility. 

Many walk to the beach from Antibes city center, as it is only a 40 minute journey and saves on transport and/or parking costs. 

8. Plage du Canadel

The beach of Canadel is located in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, a region where most of the peninsula is owned by Carla Bruni’s family. You don’t need to know anyone famous to come take advantage of these waters; but you will struggle with parking during peak season. 

Plage du Canadel – by Emartin – Wikimedia Commons

9. Mala Beach

Monaco and Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat are considered two of the most desirable places to enjoy the summer months, but they can get exceptionally crowded. Mala Beach sits directly between the two, offering a tranquil escape from the bustle of the bigger towns. 

The walk down to the shore is steep and not ideal for children or the elderly. There are boats that one can rent in the main towns that will drop you on the sand, but it comes at quite a fee. 

Mala Beach – by Jacek Becela – Wikimedia Commons

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10. Bocca Beach 

Just 5km outside of Cannes, Bocca Beach looks like Miami, California and Côte d’Azur had a lovechild with one another. 

There are white sands, blue waters, palm trees, old architecture and expansive bays. Tourists arrive early and tend to stay all day, as a short walk into the main streets offers some great street food options and even free parking.