10 of the Best Beaches on the French Riviera

The French Riviera is blessed with an extraordinary variety of beaches. Some are long stretches of fine sand backed by palm trees and glamorous hotels; others are tiny coves tucked between red cliffs, reached by a coastal path or from the sea.

And that is part of the charm of the Côte d’Azur. There is no single “perfect” Riviera beach. You might want a stylish beach club one day, a quiet cove the next, and a completely wild Mediterranean landscape the day after.

Here are ten beaches and coastal spots that are well worth discovering — from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Cannes all the way to the dramatic coastline around Marseille.

1. Paloma Beach — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

One of the most beautiful beach settings on the French Riviera can be found on the eastern side of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula.

Paloma Beach is tucked into a sheltered cove surrounded by maritime pines, with extraordinary views across the water towards Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the cliffs of Èze and Cap d’Ail.

This is not a classic wide, sandy beach — the shoreline is a mixture of pebbles and rock — but the setting is spectacular. The famous private beach club has long been associated with the glamorous side of the Riviera, while the public part of the cove allows everyone to enjoy the same beautiful Mediterranean surroundings.

The private beach offers sunbeds, parasols, a restaurant, showers and water activities, with reservations recommended in summer.

Best for: a beautiful Riviera setting, crystal-clear water and a touch of old-school glamour.

2. Plage de l’Almanarre — Hyères

For something completely different, head west towards Hyères and the Giens peninsula.

Plage de l’Almanarre stretches for almost five kilometres along the western side of the Giens tombolo. It feels considerably wilder and more open than the beaches of Cannes or Nice, with the Mediterranean on one side and the salt marshes of the peninsula on the other.

The beach has sandy shores and relatively shallow water, making parts of it suitable for families. When the wind picks up, however, Almanarre becomes one of the region’s favourite spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Behind the beach are the salt marshes and the former Salins des Pesquiers, where you can sometimes see pink flamingos. The unusual double tombolo landscape of the Giens peninsula is worth exploring in its own right.

If you have a full day, you can also combine a visit with a boat trip to Porquerolles.

Best for: watersports, families, nature and a wilder Mediterranean landscape.

3. The Beaches of La Croisette — Cannes

No list of Riviera beaches would be complete without Cannes.

The beaches along La Croisette are perhaps the most recognisable expression of the Côte d’Azur: palm trees, Belle Époque hotels, designer boutiques, elegant beach restaurants and the sparkling Mediterranean stretching towards the Lérins Islands.

There are both public and private beaches, so you can simply put down your towel on the sand or spend the day at one of the famous beach clubs.

The great advantage of Cannes is that the beach is only part of the experience. You can swim in the morning, have lunch overlooking the sea, wander through the old streets of Le Suquet and finish the afternoon with shopping along the Croisette.

For a more relaxed experience, walk a little further away from the centre and explore some of Cannes' other beaches.

Best for: glamour, shopping, beach clubs and the classic Côte d’Azur experience.

4. Plage de l’Aiguille — Théoule-sur-Mer

This is one of the beaches I would particularly recommend if you are staying at Gaia’s Villas.

The coastline around Théoule is dramatically different from Cannes. Here, the red volcanic rocks of the Estérel plunge towards the Mediterranean, creating small coves, rocky headlands and remarkably clear turquoise water.

Plage de l’Aiguille sits within this spectacular landscape and is reached via the coastal area and paths around the Pointe de l’Aiguille. Comfortable shoes are useful if you want to explore beyond the main beach.

The water is wonderfully clear, and in summer there is also a marked underwater discovery trail, making this a lovely place for swimming and snorkelling.

It is remarkably close to Cannes, yet once you are surrounded by the red rocks and pine trees, it feels like another world.

Best for: swimming, snorkelling and dramatic Mediterranean scenery.

5. Pampelonne Beach — Saint-Tropez

Pampelonne is one of the legendary beaches of the French Riviera — although technically it is located in Ramatuelle rather than Saint-Tropez itself.

The long curve of fine golden sand stretches for around 4.5 kilometres, backed by dunes and Mediterranean vegetation. Its fame dates back decades, helped enormously by the film stars and artists who made Saint-Tropez their summer playground.

Today, Pampelonne combines public beach areas with some of the Riviera's most famous beach clubs and restaurants.

In July and August it can be lively and glamorous, with a very particular Saint-Tropez atmosphere. Come in September, however, and the beach can feel considerably more relaxed while still retaining its magic.

Best for: the classic Saint-Tropez experience, long sandy beaches and famous beach clubs.

6. Plage du Prado & Borély — Marseille

Marseille offers a completely different kind of seaside experience.

The Prado coastline is a large urban seaside area where locals come to swim, run, play volleyball, paddleboard and simply spend time by the Mediterranean. Borély is part of this larger beach area and is particularly popular in summer.

The beaches are backed by open promenades and green spaces rather than luxury hotels, giving the area a much more local and energetic atmosphere.

If you want to explore further, continue towards Pointe Rouge, which has one of the largest sandy beaches in Marseille and a more traditional seaside feel.

A day here works particularly well when combined with the city itself: explore the Vieux-Port and Le Panier in the morning, then head down to the coast for a swim in the afternoon.

Best for: experiencing Marseille like a local, families and combining the beach with city sightseeing.

7. The Frioul Islands — Marseille

Just off Marseille lies the Frioul archipelago, a group of four islands surrounded by astonishingly clear Mediterranean water.

The main islands are Pomègues and Ratonneau, with the smaller Tiboulen and If completing the archipelago. Ferries leave from the Vieux-Port, making the islands surprisingly easy to visit as a day trip.

The landscape is dry and almost otherworldly, with white limestone, low Mediterranean vegetation, rocky coves and brilliant blue water.

There are several places to swim, although this is not really a traditional sandy-beach destination. Saint-Estève is the main beach, reached by a walk of around 30 minutes from the port. There are also smaller rocky coves where you can find a quiet place for a swim.

Bring water, sun protection and good walking shoes — the islands are much more about exploring than simply lying on a beach.

Best for: escaping the city, snorkelling, walking and an island adventure.

8. The Calanques & Île Riou — Marseille to Cassis

The coastline between Marseille and Cassis is one of the most spectacular stretches of Mediterranean landscape in France.

The Calanques are enormous limestone cliffs plunging into impossibly clear blue water, with narrow inlets and sheltered coves hidden between the rocks.

Some of the calanques can be reached on foot, although access can be restricted during periods of high fire risk. Others are best discovered from the sea.

For a truly memorable experience, take a boat towards the Calanques and the Île Riou archipelago. The islands are protected and access is regulated, but the surrounding waters are exceptional for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

This is not really a traditional “beach day”. It is about the landscape, the colour of the water and the feeling of being surrounded by untouched Mediterranean nature.

Best for: boat trips, diving, snorkelling and spectacular scenery.

9. Plage de la Baumette — Agay

Back towards the Estérel, Plage de la Baumette is a lovely choice if you are looking for a quieter sandy beach.

Located at the eastern end of the Bay of Agay, the beach has around 250 metres of fine sand and clear water. It is considerably more peaceful than some of the busier beaches around the Riviera, particularly outside the height of summer.

The setting is beautiful, with the red Estérel hills rising behind the bay.

There is a municipal car park nearby, making it relatively easy to reach by car. You can also combine a visit with lunch in Agay or activities such as kayaking or paddleboarding.

Best for: families, fine sand and a peaceful Estérel beach experience.

10. Sainte-Marguerite Island — Cannes

Finally, take a boat from Cannes to the largest of the Lérins Islands.

Sainte-Marguerite is wonderfully different from the mainland. There are no cars, and much of the island is covered in pine and eucalyptus woodland. Walking paths lead through the forest and around the rocky coastline, with small beaches and beautiful swimming spots along the way.

The island is also rich in history. Fort Royal dominates the northern part of the island and houses the museum associated with the famous Man in the Iron Mask.

For swimming, look for the small beaches and coves around the island, including the area around the Portet Cove and Maison Forestière.

It is an easy day trip from Cannes, but once you are walking beneath the trees or swimming in the clear water, the city feels wonderfully far away.

Best for: a full-day island escape, swimming, walking and a little Riviera history.

Which beach should you choose?

The beauty of the French Riviera is that you can have completely different beach experiences within a relatively small area.

For glamour: Paloma Beach or Cannes.

For famous beach clubs: Pampelonne.

For dramatic scenery: Plage de l’Aiguille or the Calanques.

For families: Sainte-Marguerite, Plage de la Baumette or the sandy beaches of Cannes.

For watersports: Almanarre.

For an island escape: Sainte-Marguerite or the Frioul Islands.

For a feeling of wilderness: the Calanques or Île Riou.

For staying close to Gaia’s Villas: Plage de l’Aiguille, La Figueirette and the smaller coves around Théoule are the obvious choices — and you do not need to drive far to find beautiful Mediterranean water.

One of the pleasures of the Riviera is that the coastline changes constantly. A sandy beach, a tiny rocky cove, red cliffs, a glamorous beach club or a deserted island can all be part of the same holiday.

Bring your swimming things, a mask and snorkel if you have them, and sensible shoes for the rockier coves.

And then simply follow the coast.

Which is your favourite Riviera beach?