The pretty bay in the town where U2’s front man Bono is said to have a house is also home to this private beach club that invokes Bali on the French Riviera. Decked out in exotic decor, teak furnishing, and tropical plants, this quiet spot is a perfect respite from the amped up frenzy of most French Riviera beaches. Rent chairs and...
Hop on a short 15-20 minute ferry ride form the port of Cannes and be shuttled to another era. Since the 5th century, a community of Cistercian monks have inhabited the island and the Abbaye de Lérins, and a brethren of 22 of them still do. There are no cars allowed and the island is tiny enough to walk around in about an...
If you’re looking for an unassuming and friendly place to spend an afternoon, this small beach club tucked into the Calanque de Bonne Eau, roughly halfway between Sainte Maxime and St. Raphael, is it. Imagine a small protected inlet of turquoise water, with a small bar, tables and chairs for dining or drinks seaside, and a friendly staff. That’s La...
Unfussy is the best way to describe this mellow and family friendly beach club. Located on the small coastal road that links Sainte-Maxime to Saint-Tropez, Le Pingouin Bleu (The Blue Penguin) is tucked behind a white gate and is a little hard to spot. But it’s located on a round-about, and has a parking lot, so keep an eye out....
The off-the-radar town of Cap d’Ail near Monaco has one of the prettiest little beaches on the French Riviera. Mala Beach, or Plage Mala as it’s referred to in French, gets its name from Mala Kschessinskaa, a dancer and the lover of Tzar Nicholas II or Russia who supposedly like to stroll the pebbly shores. The beach is a short walk...
If you’re looking for something a little quieter, a little less ‘sceney’ than the beaches of Saint-Tropez or Cannes, head to Cap-Ferrat. Yes, it’s one of the poshest zip codes on the French Riviera, and just six miles east of Nice, but that doesn’t meant there aren’t a few places to unwind and relax. And how can you resist a beach...
If you want to sink your toes into some of the French Riviera’s most beautiful beaches, head east to Theoule-sur-mer. There are several beaches around here. Some you can hike down to if you’re in good shape with the right footwear and others a little easier to access like Plage de l’Aiguille, part of the Parc de l’Aiguille, a nature...
When you tire of the scene at Pampelonne, or you’re just looking for a quieter place to read your book, this sandy beach bordered by pine trees is a slice of paradise. There is parking if you have a car, and an outdoor shower. There is also a private beach club and restaurant/pizzeria of the same name (La Plage des Salins) where you...
Located between Menton and Monaco, this might be one of the more uncrowded beaches you will find along the French Riviera. You can take the train to the the Roquebrune station, then head west where a sign will guide you down a set of stone stairs to a pebbly beach. There are showers here, and a simple little snack shack...
Located on the gorgeous peninsula of Cap-Ferrat, very close to the splendid Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, this protected cove is in the sun almost all day and perfect for swimming and chilling out. There are also amazing views of the Bay of Villefranche, which is often speckled with mega yachts, and the sunsets from here are as dreamy as they come. The...