10 Best Beaches in the French Riviera

Plage Petite Afrique (Little Africa Beach) lies at the eastern end of the small seaside resort of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. It’s ideal for a family outing with its soft sand, shady areas to relax and children’s play area. There are also toilets, showers and a lifeguard service.

Protected by stunning limestone cliffs, Petite Afrique is one of the warmest beaches in France. The rocky outcrop is a fantastic rock pool to explore with children. Bring your mask and snorkel as the clear water is excellent for snorkelling. To get here, it’s a short walk from both the train and bus stops. There's a parking lot, but note that in summer it can be challenging to find a parking space.

Plage des Marinieres (Marinieres Beach) is a large sandy beach in the old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It’s easily accessible by car, bus (lines 15 and 84) and train. The beach is approximately a kilometre long and popular with families and picnickers seeking a traditional beach experience. The gradual drop-off is ideal for young children.

The backdrop of cliffs and low, wooded hills, plus a view of the town’s bay, complete the beautiful setting. While the beach doesn’t offer any high-end restaurants, the casual snack bars nearby will keep your hunger and thirst at bay.

Plage Paloma (Paloma Beach) is an iconic stretch of pebbly sand in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, once frequented by the Picasso family. Today you’ll find a glamorous jet-set crowd who flock to this scenic, mostly private beach to relax on teak-style sunbeds or enjoy different watersports, including jet skiing, water skiing and tubing. You can also bring a picnic and find your own space among the rocks.

Despite its popularity, the beach does offer a more discreet and quieter vibe compared to others on the French Riviera. Enjoy the spectacular views from the beach across to the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the Eze cliffs and Cap d’Ail. You can reach Paloma Beach by bus, car or on foot from the nearby town.

Plage de la Garoupe (Garoupe Beach) is nestled in a small cove just a few kilometres south of Antibes city centre. Boasting gloriously soft, white sand and calm, turquoise waters, it’s considered one of the loveliest beaches on the Antibes Peninsula. A nearby rocky headland is ideal for snorkelling.

Several nearby restaurants offer dining options, and sun loungers and parasols are available for rent. The beach is accessible via a scenic 40-minute walk from Antibes Old Town or by bus line 2 from the Gare Routière to the Garoupe stop. There's also free parking in the streets around the beach. Most of Garoupe Beach is private during the summer. From mid-October to April, the sand becomes public again.

Plage Mala (Mala Beach) is a small pebbly beach famous for its calm, crystal-clear waters and scenic surroundings. Tucked beneath the cliffs of Cap d’Ail, the beach is rarely crowded and allows you to unwind, swim or enjoy watersports without jet skis whizzing past. Pedalos (with a slide) and paddleboards are available for rent.

Along the shore, 2 beach restaurants offer excellent seafood dishes, as well as sun lounger rentals and massages. From the train and bus station, a 15-minute walk along a winding footpath takes you down to the beach. Prams, pushchairs, wheelchairs and heavy cooler boxes are not recommended due to the number of steps to access the sand.

Plage de la Bocca (Bocca Beach) is a beautiful sandy beach located about 5 km outside of Cannes' city centre. Though it's Cannes' westernmost beach, it's easily accessible by bus. There's also free parking on the road.

Like the surrounding neighbourhood, Bocca Beach is much quieter and more laidback than other beaches in the area, even during the summer months. Young children and swimming enthusiasts will love the calm, shallow waters, perfect for splashing around or practicing their favourite swimming strokes. The beach comes with a lifeguard, free shower facilities and nearby eateries.

Plage de Pampelonne (Pampelonne Beach) is a legendary beach where celebrities and royalty come to relax on the gorgeous white-sand beach, swim or enjoy watersports in the sparkling turquoise seas. It’s busy during the summer months, so book your sun lounger in advance during July and August. If you prefer a more serene beach experience, consider visiting in low season, towards the end of September.

The beach is located some 5 km from the centre of St. Tropez in a commune called Ramatuelle. To get here, you can drive, take a taxi or take the bus.

Plage de l'Almanarre (Almanarre Beach) is a 4 km stretch of sand and small pebbles that runs parallel to the route du sel (Salt Road) from the Hyères seaside resort out to the quaint town of Giens. It's the largest beach in the area and much wilder than other beaches on the French Riviera. In winter, it's a beautiful spot for a walk or bike excursion.

The beach is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers when the western winds blow. When the east wind blows, the beach is protected by the Giens peninsula, and the waters are calm and great for swimmers and standup paddlers. Behind the beach is a bird reserve, where you can observe flamingos and other bird species.

Located on the little Porquerolles Island, just south of Hyères, Plage de Notre-Dame (Notre-Dame Beach) offers an idyllic French Riviera scene. The beach sits against a backdrop of lush vegetation and is ideal for swimming, snorkelling or a quiet siesta. There are no restaurants nearby, so pack a picnic or head back to the village for a bite to eat at one of the little cafés.

To reach the beach, hop on a ferry that leaves from La Tour Fondue on the Giens peninsula to Porquerolles village harbour. In high season, you can catch a ferry from Toulon and St. Tropez. From the port to the beach, it’s a leisurely 3.5-km stroll or cycle. There are plenty of bike rental shops in the little harbour.

More than 1 km long, Esclamandes Beach is one of the longest sandy beaches on the French Riviera and divided into different sections. The family area on the St. Aygulf end offers manmade breakwaters, making it safe for children to swim. The beach is exposed and often windy and is an excellent beach for kitesurfers and windsurfers. The most popular kitesurfing spot is situated near to where the Argens River flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The naturist beach is at the Fréjus end and quieter than other sections.

Paid public parking is available, but it can fill up quickly on busy days. So, if you'd rather not drive, the beach is an easy walk from the town of St. Aygulf.