As we explore the Côte d’Azur, we’re enchanted by its mosaic of blues and greens, crystal-clear waters and rugged cliffs. That’s why the beaches of this sun-drenched region, bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, attract travellers from all over the world. Whether you’re looking for a spot of golden sand, a secluded cove or an impressive calanque, the Côte d’Azur has a beach for every type of traveler.
It was a tough selection, but here’s our list of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur, with our own photos, tips and a map to help you plan.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Côte d’Azur’s most beautiful beaches: map and selection
In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of the Côte d’Azur’s most beautiful beaches, where the water takes on deep azure hues, the cliffs sculpt majestic backdrops and the mild climate allows you to savor every moment.
The Côte d’Azur has no officially defined boundaries. We choose the modern vision that stretches from Cassis to Menton.
Map
Here’s a map to help you locate our selection:
We remind you that at any time of year, some beaches may be covered with seaweed (Posidonia meadows). This is essential for their renewal.
This can happen at any beach, but not at the same time. It’s random.
Where to go on the Côte d’Azur for the best beaches
Having explored the whole of the Côte d’Azur, we think that the best destination for enjoying several magnificent beaches is Saint-Tropez.
1. Plage de Ponteil (Antibes)
Why we love it…
We love this beach because it offers one of the most beautiful views on the Côte d’Azur. It’s not your typical beach, but we fell in love with it.
Located on Cap d’Antilles, it faces inland, so you can enjoy views of the Antibes fortress and the mountains in the background. And in some seasons, these mountains still have snow-capped peaks!
Location and practical advice
- City of Antibes
- 15 min walk from Antibes old town
- From Cannes: 30 min
- From Nice: 50 min
- Parking nearby, but quickly full
- Sand beach
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach in season
- Shower and toilet
2. Plage Pampelonne (Saint-Tropez)
Why we love it…
Pampelonne beach is one of the pearls of the Côte d’Azur. It’s one of the longest, with several kilometers of fine golden sand. It offers a spacious area for relaxing in the sun.
What’s more, you’ll find a myriad of water sports activities on the beach, restaurants where you can sample Mediterranean specialties, and a lively atmosphere with renowned beach clubs.
Location and practical advice
- Near Saint-Tropez
- From Saint-Tropez center: 10min drive
- From Toulon: 1h30
- Several pay parking lots at various points on the beach
- Fine sand
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach in season
- Restaurants, deckchair hire, water sports equipment hire
3. Plage Notre-Dame (Porquerolles)
Why we love it…
If you’re looking for something a little wilder, head for Porquerolles.
Notre-Dame beach is one of the Côte d’Azur’s unspoilt treasures. We were fascinated by its enchanting setting, nestling on the eastern side of the island, with its crystal-clear waters, fine sand and soothing atmosphere.
It has to be earned, as you have to get there on foot or by bike. But at the same time, we really appreciated the absence of buildings nearby.
A beautiful breath of nature.
Location and practical advice
- On the island of Porquerelles
- 15-minute boat trip from Giens
- Then a 1-hour walk from the pontoon, or a 15-20-minute electric bike ride.
- Narrow strip of fine sand
- Clear water and a gentle slope
- No monitoring
- No showers or toilets
WHERE TO STAY ON THE Côte d’Azur
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
4. Plage des Sablettes (Menton)
Why we love it…
We fell in love with the town of Menton, with its colorful houses and peaceful atmosphere.
And all this is also combined on its main beach: right in the center, Plage des Sablettes offers magnificent views of the city on one side, and the cliffs on the border with Italy on the other. What more could you ask for?
It’s a relaxing family beach between the sea and the mountains.
Location and practical advice
- In Menton
- In the heart of Menton
- From Nice: 45min drive
- Several pay parking lots in Menton, including one right next to the beach: Parking Vieille-Ville-Sablettes
- Gravel beach
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach in season
- Showers
- Nearby restaurants
5. Plage Petite-Afrique (Beaulieu-sur-Mer)
Why we love it…
Petite-Afrique beach in Beaulieu is an oasis of tranquility on the Côte d’Azur. What we particularly appreciated about this beach was its peaceful, unspoilt atmosphere. Nestled between magnificent cliffs, it offers a spectacular natural setting. We could have spent hours at the water’s edge admiring the view!
With its relative discretion, Petite Afrique beach is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the more famous beaches, offering a more authentic coastal experience on the Côte d’Azur.
Location and practical advice
- In the town of Beaulieu-sur-mer, east of Nice
- From downtown: 15min walk from downtown
- From Nice: 30min drive
- Parking nearby
- Gravel beach
- Supervised beach in season
- Shower and toilet
- A few restaurants and equipment rentals
6. Mala Beach
Why we love it…
Mala beach, nestled in a secluded cove, is renowned for its bewitching charm and crystal-clear waters. Its slightly more difficult access, via a picturesque descent from the coastal road, adds a touch of adventure to your visit.
It’s an ideal beach for swimming and snorkeling.
We loved discovering the beach from above. The cliffs drop sheer into the emerald water.
In our opinion, it’s just a shame that the 2 beach restaurants take up most of the space on this little cove.
Location and practical advice
- Cap d’Ail, near Monaco
- From Nice: 40min drive
- From Monaco: 15min drive
- Pay parking along the main road and in the streets below.
- Then 10 to 15min walk with stairs
- Gravel beach
- Unsupervised beach
- Shower
- Beach restaurants
7. Plage de la Garoupe
Why we love it…
La Garoupe beach, on the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, is one of the most charming on the Côte d’Azur. We enjoyed the fine sand, crystal-clear water and elegant ambience. The atmosphere is both relaxed and refined, with a view of the mountains!
Here you can swim, eat or go hiking.
It’s a place where you can refocus on nature and calm.
Location and practical advice
- South of Antibes
- From Antibes: 15 min by car
- From Cannes: 35 min
- From Nice: 50min
- Parking nearby, but fills up quickly
- Fine sand beach
- Showers and toilets
- Unsupervised beach
- On-site restaurants
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
8. Calanque de Figuerolles (La Ciotat)
Why we love it…
The Calanque de Figuerolles in La Ciotat is an unspoilt natural wonder well worth a visit. It’s one of our favorite spots on the Côte d’Azur.
Nestled between steep cliffs and surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, this calanque offers breathtaking scenery. Its crystal-clear waters and pebble beaches make it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing in the sun.
The Figuerolles cove is also famous for its spectacular orange-red rock formations. We love the show!
Location and practical advice
- In the city of La Ciotat
- 20min walk from the port of La Ciotat
- From Cassis: 25 min
- A parking lot 5 minutes’ walk away, but not very large
- Pebble beach
- Unattended
- Ideal for snorkeling
- A restaurant along the access road
- See more photos
9. Plage de l’Escalet (Saint-Tropez)
Why we love it…
The Escalet beach seduced us with its natural beauty and discreet atmosphere. With its fine golden sand, this beach embodies the quintessential Mediterranean beach, ideal for relaxing and basking in the sun.
What makes it all the more special is its “hidden” character. Although very popular with locals, it offers an intimate atmosphere. What’s more, the beautiful rocks that line this beach add an extra natural charm.
Location and practical advice
- In Ramatuelle, near Saint-Tropez
- From Saint-Tropez: 10 min drive
- Surrounding parking area (fee-paying) but fills up easily
- Toilets
- Unsupervised beach
- Fine sand
- water Transparent, fairly steep slope
- Ideal for snorkeling
10. Cavalaire-sur-Mer beach
Why we love it…
Cavalaire-sur-Mer’s main asset is its easy access, making it a popular beach for locals and visitors alike. With its impressive length, it offers ample space to enjoy the sun and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. Its fine sand, soft underfoot, adds a touch of comfort to your day at the beach.
We enjoyed walking along the beach, especially with the beautiful cloudy skies on the day we visited. But it must be just as beautiful in the sunshine!
Location and practical advice
- Calavaire-sur-Mer downtown beach
- South of Saint-Tropez
- From Saint-Tropez: 30min
- From Toulon: 1h20
- Ample parking next to the beach
- Very quick and easy access to the beach
- Sand beach
- Supervised beach in season
- Restaurants and water sports
11. Estagnol beach
Why we love it…
Estagnol beach is a Côte d’Azur treasure, famous for its wilder side. What sets it apart is its unspoilt character and natural setting. Bordered by magnificent trees, it offers natural shelter and a peaceful atmosphere. Its fine sand, soft underfoot, is perfect for spreading out your towel and soaking up the sun. L’Estagnol embodies the idea of an unspoilt beach, ideal for those seeking simplicity and natural beauty.
Location and practical advice
- Bormes-les-Mimosas Peninsula
- From the center of Bormes: 20 min drive
- From Saint-Tropez: 1h
- From Toulon: 1h
- Large pay-per-day parking lot
- Sand beach
- Unsupervised beach
- Private beach
- Toilets and showers
- Restaurant and water sports
12. Calanque Port-Pin (Cassis)
Why we love it…
The calanque of Port-Pin is an unspoilt nugget of the Côte d’Azur, where nature is splendid. Famous for its wild character, it offers a natural refuge of rare beauty.
Access to this cove requires a short hike, but the effort is amply rewarded once you discover its crystal-clear turquoise waters and surrounding cliffs, surrounded by pine trees.
Port-Pin is a paradise for nature lovers, offering a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of the coast. We were charmed!
Location and practical advice
- West of Cassis
- Accessible by hike or kayak only
- Allow 2 hours round trip
- Go early to really enjoy it, it’s still popular.
- Park on the street leading to the Port-Miou calanque parking lot, preferably in front of the parking lot to reduce the walk.
- Sand and pebble beach
- Unsupervised beach
- No installation
13. Plage de Corton (Cassis)
Why we love it…
Our favorite beach in Cassis is not the one in the center of town (which is also nice). We fell in love with Corton beach, a little more hidden and with rocks on the sandy beach.
Its cove, with transparent water and the Soubeyranes cliffs opposite, is splendid, especially at the end of the day when the sun comes down over the horizon and brings out the red color of the cliffs.
Location and practical advice
- In Cassis
- from the center of Cassis: 15min walk or 5min drive
- Cassis la Madie parking lot right next door
- Unsupervised beach
- Toilets
- Bar and water sports
14. Èze beach
Why we love it…
We fell in love with this beach, which is much less well known than its associated village, one of the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur.
We loved the blue-graded waters, from turquoise to deep sapphire, creating a captivating aquatic landscape. We were also fascinated by the view of the sheer cliffs, offering a dramatic yet majestic setting.
Admittedly, it’s not a sandy beach, but we find it beautiful and much quieter: a place to rest and breathe. We enjoyed the serenity.
Location and practical advice
- Èze-sur-mer
- to the east of Nice
- From Nice: 35 min drive
- Note that the medieval village is not far away, but not right next to it, as it’s on a much higher hillside.
- Parking around the station
- Pebble beach
- Unsupervised beach
- No installations
- See more photos
15. Cavalière beach in Le Lavandou
Why we love it…
Cavalière beach is one of Le Lavandou’s must-see beaches. It’s famous for its fine sand, turquoise waters and water sports. It’s the ideal place to relax with family and friends.
We particularly appreciated the setting and the panorama, with the green hills all around. What’s more, the beach is covered in fine, soft sand, and its waters are a translucent turquoise blue. Everything you’d expect on a Côte d’Azur beach!
But it’s not all wild here: the beach offers a wide range of water sports, restaurants and sun loungers.
Location and practical advice
- West of Saint-Tropez
- From Saint-Tropez: 50min
- From Toulon: 1h
- Sand beach and shells
- Supervised beach in season
- Restaurants
- Deckchairs
- Nautical activities
Best beaches on the French Riviera: honorable mentions
Calanque En-Vau
The En-Vau calanque is right on the edge of the Côte d’Azur, approaching Marseille.
It’s really quite beautiful, with sheer cliffs all around.
However, it is difficult to access on foot or by kayak.
Access from the town of Cassis.
Plage du Château (Mandelieu)
Mandelieu’s beach is fairly classic, with sand and clear waters.
But the Château de la Napoule and its garden are right next door, making the view from the beach a fascinating one. A coastal path offers different perspectives on this surprising landscape.
The beach is located in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, west of Cannes.
Calanque Santa Lucia
To admire the red rocks of the Esterel, we really liked the little calanque of Sainta Lucia in Saint-Raphaël.
Fort de Brégancon beach
The beach at Fort de Brégançon is also a long sandy beach with gently sloping clear water. And its special touch is the view of the Fort de Brégançons, which is one of the French government’s summer residences (and can be visited on reservation).
The beach is close to Bormes-les-Mimosas.
Dramont beach or D-Day beach
In Dramont, we found the main beach fascinating for two reasons:
- information on the landing that took place there
- The two-tone look of the beach with road sand and grey pebbles
The beach is located near Agay, between Cannes and Saint-Tropez.
The creeks of the Corniche de l’Esterel: Abel Baliff, Plage des Anglais…
All along the corniche de l’Esterel, you’ll find small calanques. The descents are steep enough to reach water level, but the red rocks make the place unique. The most beautiful are:
- Calanque Anthéor
- Calanque de Maubois
- Calanque de Laupas
- Abel Baliff Beach
- Calanque des Anglais
- …
They lie to the east of Saint-Raphaël.
The beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat also have a good reputation (Plage de Paloma, Plage Passable…) but we weren’t as carried away as with the others.
The beaches of Sainte-Marguerite Island
If you’re looking for something a little wilder, you can explore the island of Sainte-Marguerite opposite Cannes.
Just a 15-minute boat ride away, you can explore and find some lovely spots for a swim.
Book your crossing.
Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer
And last but not least, we’d like to mention the gravel beach at Villefranche-sur-mer, with its crystal-clear water and magnificent bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most beautiful city beaches
- Nice’s most beautiful beaches
In our opinion: Plage de la Réserve
See our article (coming soon) - Cannes’ most beautiful beaches
In our opinion: Plage du Midi
See our article (coming soon) - Antibes’ most beautiful beaches
In our opinion: Plage de Ponteil
See our article (coming soon)
- Monaco’s most beautiful beaches
Monaco doesn’t really have a beach in the center of town - Saint-Tropez’s most beautiful beaches
In our opinion: Plage de Pampelonne
See our article (coming soon) - The most beautiful beaches in Cassis
In our opinion: Calanque Port-Pin or plage de Corton
See our article (coming soon)
Best time to swim on the Côte d’Azur
May to October are the best times to swim on the Côte d’Azur, but the water temperature is a little lower in May and June.
Private beaches
On the Côte d’Azur, you’ll find many private beaches where beach bars set up their deckchairs.
In some places it’s reasonable and you can still enjoy the large public section, but in other places it’s really a succession of bars and private sections, like in Cannes.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
