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10 Best Beaches on the French Riviera

The South of France is the bucket list vacation destination for many people around the world. The opportunity to spend a few weeks of European summer in these parts is not something often taken lightly. 

Also known as the la C么te d鈥橝zur, the French Riviera offers hundreds of sprawling beaches all framing the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here are 10 of the best, in my humble opinion, though between you and me, you really can鈥檛 go wrong no matter where you land up in this part of France. 

Click here for top facts about the French Riviera!

1. Little Africa Beach

Right between Nice and Monaco there lies a small beachside resort called the Beaulieu-sur-Mer. On the eastern end of the resort, there is a public beach that goes by the name of Plage Petite Afrique, or Little Africa. 

Surrounded by sprawling limestone cliffs, this beach is protected from the elements and offers a breathtaking escape for families as the water is unusually warm, even for the Med. It鈥檚 perfect for snorkeling, so bring the appropriate equipment along with you. 

2. Valras Plage

Beziers is a town that would be considered off the beaten track in terms of more commercial zones in the French Riviera. Here, we find the beach of Valras, a spacious and vibrant shoreline packed with bars and restaurants. 

The white sands lead to an amusement park nearby, where children are entertained for hours on end while parents soak up their vitamin D. It鈥檚 never crowded on this beach, which is not something that can be said for many on the French Riviera. 

Valras Beach – by Michiel1972 –

3. Calanque d鈥橢n-Vau 

If there鈥檚 but one beach that you take seriously on this list of 10, let it be this one. 

Situated in Cassis, the Calanque d鈥橢n-Vau is a tucked away gem of a beach front that requires a short walk down the limestone cliffs in order to get to. Okay, so maybe it鈥檚 not a 鈥渟hort鈥� walk per say; it鈥檚 an hour and 40 minute walk on a pathway between two gorges. 

Dress appropriately, take plenty of water, and trust in the most glorious views of the Riviera the entire duration. There is nothing quite like it elsewhere in France, this I can assure you. 

Calanque d鈥橢n-Vau – by Xxdayvidxx71 –

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4. Les Marini猫res Beach

Marinieres Beach is a large, sandy bay area in the very old, historic town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It鈥檚 accessible by car, bus and train, which makes it a popular stop for travelers during the summer months.

The beach itself is a kilometer long, and incredibly beautiful no matter what angle you approach it from. There are high end restaurants at the base, as well as more informal snack bars for the average Joe. 

Mariniers Beach – by Broenberr –

5. Paloma Beach

Few people visit the French south without stopping by the infamous Paloma Beach. It鈥檚 known for being the frequent vacation spot of the Picasso family, and is today visited by the rich and famous from all over the globe. 

Despite being high on the list of many a tourist, it鈥檚 never as crowded as you think it鈥檚 going to be. Bring a picnic along!

Paloma Beach – by VManteuffel –

6. Point Zero Beach

Not all beaches on the French Riviera look like turquoise water and limestone cliffs. There are some with terrain more on par with that of the African coast, and Point Zero Beach in La Grande-Motte is one of them. 

Here, Mediterranean sun bakes down upon kilometers of dusty sand and green foliage. Although spacious, it does get packed in the summer and is frequented by families with young children. 

Point Zero Beach – by thierrytutin –

7. Garoupe Beach

Just a few kilometers south of Antibes there is a small, budget friendly beach known as Garoupe. Think soft sand and turquoise water, with travelers from all over the world coming together for peace and tranquility. 

Many walk to the beach from Antibes city center, as it is only a 40 minute journey and saves on transport and/or parking costs. 

8. Plage du Canadel

The beach of Canadel is located in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, a region where most of the peninsula is owned by Carla Bruni鈥檚 family. You don鈥檛 need to know anyone famous to come take advantage of these waters; but you will struggle with parking during peak season. 

Plage du Canadel – by Emartin –

9. Mala Beach

Monaco and Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat are considered two of the most desirable places to enjoy the summer months, but they can get exceptionally crowded. Mala Beach sits directly between the two, offering a tranquil escape from the bustle of the bigger towns. 

The walk down to the shore is steep and not ideal for children or the elderly. There are boats that one can rent in the main towns that will drop you on the sand, but it comes at quite a fee. 

Mala Beach – by Jacek Becela –

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10. Bocca Beach 

Just 5km outside of Cannes, Bocca Beach looks like Miami, California and C么te d鈥橝zur had a lovechild with one another. 

There are white sands, blue waters, palm trees, old architecture and expansive bays. Tourists arrive early and tend to stay all day, as a short walk into the main streets offers some great street food options and even free parking.