Looking for a little city beach away from the hustle and bustle? Head for Plage de la Réserve! Located on the coastal path between Port Lympia and Cap de Nice, it seems to be carved out of the rock, giving it an undeniable charm.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Nice’s Plage de la Réserve.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Plage de la Réserve worth it?
Yes, of course! We were seduced by this beach which, despite being right in the middle of the city, has managed to retain a “wild” feel. Indeed, it’s nestled in the middle of the rocky coastline. Made of pebbles, it is surrounded by numerous coves and a number of terraces designed to make it easier to sit on the rocks. Access is by steep, narrow stairs. Due to its discreet location, this beach is frequented more by locals than tourists. For all these reasons, as well as for its incredible sea views and clear water, we recommend it without hesitation!
Type of beach
Sand or no sand?
The beach floor is made of small pebbles. If you don’t like it, you can sit on the rocks or on the few terraces. We recommend that you bring swimming shoes to make it easier to walk on the rocks as you enter the water.
Swimming conditions and supervision
This beach is not supervised. What’s more, the site is steep and therefore dangerous. Its location close to the port can lead to large waves. The coves are also sometimes used for diving. However, the water is clear and pleasant.
Installations
Showers are available.
Plage de la Réserve in Nice: how to get there
Where’s the beach?
- In Nice’s Mont Boron district, adjacent to Port Lympia.
- Access from Port Lympia: 5min drive (15min walk),
- Access from Vieux-Nice: 10min drive (30min walk),
Access by car and parking
The nearest parking lots are at Port Lympia. We recommend the Entrecasteaux parking lot, open 24 hours a day. It is open-air and fee-paying. Please note that parking is not available in the immediate vicinity of the beach. The road is also quite narrow and busy.
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.
Access from the parking lot
It’s a 15-minute walk from the port parking lot we’ve indicated to the beach. You’ll walk along the busy boulevard Franck Pilate, but a wide sidewalk will allow you to get to the beach in complete safety. On the other hand, the stairs to the beach are steep and sometimes in poor condition.
Public transport access
You can easily get to Plage de la Réserve by bus. To do so, take bus line 98 and get off at the “La Réserve” stop. It will then take you less than ten minutes to get to the beach. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
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
Special features
Dog
Dogs are not allowed on this beach.
Reduced mobility access
The beach is inaccessible to people with reduced mobility, due to the presence of several staircases. We also advise against it if you’re not in good physical shape, as the access is narrow and steep.
With children
We do not recommend this pebble beach for families. Swimming is unsupervised, and unexpected waves can come from the nearby harbor. Then there are lots of steep rocks, stairways and coves used as diving boards.
Naturism
It is not possible to practice naturism on this beach.
Eating out
Beach restaurants are nearby, such as the gourmet restaurant “La Réserve de Nice”, located just above the beach, or the famous “Plongeoir”, overlooking the nearby Bains Militaires beach. Check out our article on Nice’s best restaurants, if you’re looking for a good place to eat!
Hotels
You’re right in the heart of Nice, where you’ll find numerous quality hotels. Here are our recommendations:
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
What to see on and around the beach
Mount Boron and Fort Alban
Mont Boron is a Mediterranean forest developed in the second half of the 19th century. Behind the Plage de la Réserve, there are numerous walking trails (11km) through pine and olive groves. From the Mont Alban fort, a magnificent panorama stretches from Italy to the Estérel. You can see the harbor of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Cap-Ferrat peninsula and the mountainous relief of the Alps.
The Lazaret cave
Take the coastal path from the beach and you’ll be at the Grotte du Lazaret in ten minutes. This prehistoric cave on the seafront can be visited via a guided tour covering the key concepts of prehistory. Visit the official website here to find out more!
Terra Amata Prehistory Museum
Let’s stay on the subject of prehistory and mention this museum, which we really enjoyed! It’s a 15-minute walk from Plage de la Réserve. The Terra Amata Prehistory Museum is located on the site of the excavation of the site that bears its name. This archaeological site has revealed the way of life of the 1st inhabitants of Nice nearly 400,000 years ago! A place not to be missed if, like us, you love archaeology and relics. In fact, we’ve listed it among the best museums in Nice.
Other beautiful beaches nearby
In Nice and the surrounding area
Here are our favorite beaches in and around Nice:
- In Nice: first of all, don’t hesitate to visit the beaches close to Plage de la Réserve (Coco Beach and Bains Militaires). Don’t miss the Beau Rivage beach along the famous Promenade des Anglais! Find out more in our article dedicated to Nice’s most beautiful beaches (coming soon).
- In Villefranche-sur-Mer: this commune bordering Nice boasts a beautiful beach, the Marinières.
- In Antibes: a 25-minute train ride from Nice, the superb town ofAntibes seduced us with its beautiful beaches, such as Plage du Ponteil below.
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
