Plage des Sablettes (Menton): tips + photos

Are you in Menton and want to freshen up? Plage des Sablettes is located at the foot of the old town. Along the colorful seafront facades, it offers splendid views of the Italian border relief. It’s one of the most beautiful family beaches on the Côte d’Azur, nestled between sea, town and mountains.

Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Plage des Sablettes in Menton.

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

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Is Plage des Sablettes worth it?

Type of beach

Plage des Sablettes in Menton: access

Special features

Is Plage des Sablettes worth it?

Yes, it’s a beautiful beach and well worth a visit. We particularly like it for several reasons:

It is made of fine gravel rather than pebbles, making it particularly family-friendly.
It offers a spectacular view: on one side the colorful houses of Menton, on the other the Italian mountains on the horizon.
The pedestrian promenade, which will be redeveloped in 2019, is lined with shops, restaurants and bars that bring the waterfront to life.
Theshallow water allows you to walk far from the edge, creating a safe swimming area for small children.

Plage des Sablettes is without doubt one of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - panoramic view

Type of beach

Sand or no sand?

The ground of Plage des Sablettes is made up of very fine gravel mixed with sand, extending over some 350 meters. We were pleasantly surprised by this feature, which sets it apart from the city’s other beaches, which are generally covered in pebbles.

This particular composition is very popular with families, who can comfortably sit on it for the day. However, it’s not sand per se, but rather a fine mix that offers an interesting compromise between the comfort of sand and the cleanliness of pebble beaches. However, it’s best to wear swimming shoes.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - Type of sand

Swimming conditions and supervision

Plage des Sablettes offers ideal bathing conditions, especially for families. Its gentle slope allows you to stand far from the edge, making swimming particularly safe for children. The water was relatively calm, protected by the bay’s natural configuration.

A first-aid post is available throughout the summer season, located on the side of the private beaches. The beach is supervised in summer, adding to the safety of the area, which is particularly popular in the warmer months. However, as on any beach, we recommend that you remain vigilant.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - With children

Installations

Plage des Sablettes is well equipped for your comfort. Free beach showers are installed directly on the sand. They are generally operational, except in the event of a prefectoral order to preserve water. We also noted the presence of public toilets open all year round, located on the Esplanade des Sablettes, right on the seafront.

Private beaches offer parasols and deckchairs for hire, including “Les Sablettes Beach Club” with its elegant white décor. We particularly appreciated its top-of-the-range services for a relaxing day on the water.

HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities

Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques
Helicopter flight from Cannes
Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif

Plage des Sablettes in Menton: access

Where is Plage des Sablettes

In the town of Menton, at the foot of the old town
Between Vieux Port and Port de Garavan
Along Quai Bonaparte and Promenade de la Mer
A stone’s throw from Menton’s historic center

Access by car and parking

To get to Plage des Sablettes by car, the most convenient parking is the Parking Vieille Ville – Sablettes, located above the beach. This underground parking lot has 452 spaces with a maximum height of 2m, suitable for most vehicles.

The main advantage of this parking lot is its immediate proximity to the beach and the historic center. During the summer months, we advise you to arrive early to find a spot, as this area is very popular with tourists and locals alike.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - Car access and parking

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.

See the cars

See our tips

Access from the parking lot

From the Vieille Ville – Sablettes parking lot, access to the beach is quick and easy. Just cross the Promenade de la Mer along the seafront. We appreciated this proximity. Even loaded with beach gear, you’ll reach the sand in just a few minutes.

Public transport access

Plage des Sablettes is well served by public transport:

Two bus stops are located above the promenade: Victoria and Les Sablettes.
The free electric shuttle to downtown Menton runs every 20 minutes. It links the station, the market and the seafront.

This accessibility by public transport is a real asset, especially in high season, when parking becomes complicated.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - Access by public transport

PLAN YOUR STAY IN Menton

Special features

Dog

Dogs are not allowed on Plage des Sablettes, but other beaches in Menton are specifically dog-friendly. This is the case of Plage Hawaï, just past Port de Garavan, on the way to Italy.

Reduced mobility access

Plage des Sablettes is particularly well equipped for people with reduced mobility. There are PRM parking spaces in the immediate vicinity, as well as adapted sanitary facilities, and we were able to see thataccess to the water was facilitated (tiralos, PRM mats and a shaded area equipped with tables and chairs).

Plage des Sablettes Menton - Disabled access

With children

Plage des Sablettes is perfect for families with children. Its soft sand, made up of fine gravel, and tranquil atmosphere create an ideal environment for the little ones. We enjoyed its gentle slope, which makes the water shallow for a good distance, allowing us to swim in complete safety.

Water sports such as paddleboarding and canoeing are available nearby, ideal for introducing older children to the pleasures of the water. So many assets that make this beach a privileged destination for family outings.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - Swimming conditions and surveillance

Naturism

It is not possible to practice naturism on Plage des Sablettes. The urban, family-friendly nature of this beach, located in the heart of Menton, explains this restriction.

Eating out

There are several options for eating out near Plage des Sablettes:

Restaurant Umi, under the arches of the waterfront esplanade des Sablettes, fuses flavors and culture. Creative recipes inspired by the chef’s travels.
Other nearby establishments include Restaurant Le Petit Port and Restaurant Le Galion, both renowned for their Mediterranean cuisine and stunning sea views.
The promenade, redeveloped in 2019, is also home to numerous cafés and bars where you can enjoy refreshments throughout the day. Not to mention the Sablettes Beach Club, right on the beach.

Plage des Sablettes Menton - Eating out — Restaurant Umi

Hotels

To stay close to Plage des Sablettes, we’ve identified several establishments:

Hotel Napoléon boasts an ideal location, just a few steps from the beach – check photos and availability.
The Best Western Hôtel Méditerranée Menton is also among the top-rated establishments in this sector – check photos and availability.
Hotel Palm Garavan is an interesting choice with its privileged location – check photos and availability.