You can expect all main beaches on the French Riviera to be packed every day in the summer. Don’t worry though, we are here to give you all the details of the equally stunning beaches that are loved and kept secret by many locals!
1. La Mala Beach – Cap-d’Ail
This magnificent beach will make you feel like you’re nestled inside one of the Philippine islands. Its bright turquoise waters and the stunning view of the coastal cliffs make it the perfect place to go to relax. Although it is the same size as many of the public beaches on the Riviera, it is way more peaceful because of its location. To get here you have to take the TER train to Cap d’Ail, and then it is about a 20 minute walk from the train station. There is a bar/restaurant on the beach, Eden Plage, where you can rent a beach bed or chair if you’re planning on spending the day here!
2. Plage de l’Anguille – Théoule-sur-Mer
Hidden from the main Plage de l’Anguille beach, this one is surrounded by red clay rocks and tall green trees and has a more earthy-feel to it. To get to Plage de l’Anguille, you can take a TER train, and it takes about 33 minutes from the Cannes train station. It’s about a 20-minute walk through the quiet town of Théoule-sur-Mer and across the promenade. This is the perfect place for a picnic or if you want to lay out in the sun and admire the view. Like most beaches on the French Riviera, this one is rocky, so make sure to bring your flip-flops! Théoule-sur-Mer is right bellow Cannes and has many delicious restaurants you can stop in before or after heading to the beach! One of the most popular ones being Restaurant Plage l’Aiguille, which is right beside the beach and offers many delicious Mediterranean dishes!
3. Plage de la Darse – Villefranche-sur-Mer
Located in a town right above Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a beautiful town with its main attraction being its public beach. Hidden by the Porte, this small rocky beach is where many locals choose to go. If you have time, one of the main attractions in this area is the Rothschild Ephrussi Villa, a breathtaking mansion with a magnificent garden that overlooks the coast of Cap Ferrat. If you are a fan of classical architecture, then this pink colored manor is a must-see for you! Villefrance-sur-Mer is where you can find some of the most modern luxury villas in the South of France.
4. Coco Beach – Nice
This beach is perfect for those of you who enjoy deep waters and cliff jumping. This long beach located right after Nice’s port and to get here you have to walk down from the main road to the seashore. Don’t worry, it is only a few flights of stairs! If you are not a fan of swimming in deep waters, there’s is a tiny area where that is right next to the shore. However, I would suggest you arrive early if this is your case because it tends to fill up fast. Right next to Coco Beach, there is a stunning restaurant located on top of the sea; Le Plongoir. You can find one of the most beautiful views of the sunset here and there is also a bar under the restaurant that is the perfect place to go for a glass of wine before dinner!
5. Plage de la Bastide Blanche – Cap Taillat
If you are looking for a calm sandy beach, this is one of the very few that are on the French Riviera. Cap Taillat is a small stretch of land that is about a 30-minute drive from Saint-Tropez and looks like a little island. The water is exceptionally blue and there are many cliffs surrounding the beach too. This is a location many people come to by boat during the summer and rest on the harbour. If you are staying in Saint-Tropez and are looking to escape their untamed beaches, then this is a quieter option you should check out!
