Our 8 secret beaches on the Côte d’Azur

The Côte d’Azur is full of exceptional secret beaches where it’s nice to relax in peace away from the excitement of the main seaside resorts. That’s the very essence of living on the French Riviera! I’ve been living in the region for 10 years now, and I’m still amazed by these little corners of paradise that are exclusive, unique in their kind, and often hard to reach. Yes, some of these secret beaches are well-deserved, but I can assure you that the effort is well worth it.

Most of them are well known to the Azores residents and travelers who want to discover the coastline off the beaten path, so I cannot guarantee that you will find yourself there alone, but I can only advise you to take advantage of it outside of the school holidays, in May, June, September and October. 

Around Cannes…

Find the full article here visiting Cannes

On Sainte-Marguerite Island

Located off the coast of Cannes, Sainte-Marguerite Island is known for its military fort where the man in the iron mask was imprisoned. However, if you venture beyond the island, a twenty-minute walk from the pier where the sea shuttle boats arrive, you will discover small secret beaches with turquoise waters offering breathtaking views of the Esterel. The ideal place to take a nap in the shade of the pines after a good picnic.

The coves of Esterel along the Corniche d’Or

Head towards Saint Raphaël along the Corniche d’Or and you will discover unreal landscapes worthy of a Far West setting. This volcanic mountain massif of ochre color contrasts with the deep blue of the Mediterranean and the very lush green vegetation, offering exceptional panoramas. The most beautiful coves are located between Trayas and Anthéor, at the foot of the Esterel forest, a protected natural area where there are almost no houses. Park your car in one of the ravines, spot the stairs, and after 5 minutes of descent you will find these paradisiacal coves with crystal clear waters surrounded by numerous rocks on which you can also rest. Our favorite places: the calanques of Petit Canereit and the tip of the Cap Roux observatory.

This protected part of the Esterel is rich in a remarkable underwater ecosystem, to the delight of snorkelers. Don’t forget your masks, fins and snorkels; you’ll definitely make some great encounters! For more information on the exceptional places on the Côte d’Azur to discover, I invite you to read this article » Guide: A great weekend in the Côte d’Azur for couples « 

Around Antibes…

In Cap d’Antibes: the Bay of the Billionaires and the Bay of False Silver

Cap d’Antibes is known for its sumptuous villas but also for its magnificent coastal path. You can take it from the beach of la Garoupe or from the villa Eilenroc, which is located less than 20 minutes on foot from the bay of the Milliardaires and the cape of l’Argent Faux. You won’t find any sand there, but a small platform and rocks from which you can dive into the turquoise sea. A tip: before arriving at the villa Eilenroc, don’t miss a stop at the small port of l’Olivette at the beginning of Cap d’Antibes; you’ll see some colorful pontoons, these traditional fishing boats.

In Cap d’Antibes: the Garoupe beach

A little more well-known than the coves and secret beaches of Billionaires’ Bay, the beach of La Garoupe remains a rather nice little sandy beach where people often go for lunch in the middle of the day, feet in the water while enjoying the view over Antibes; but it can get quite crowded in high season, especially on weekends when the weather gets nice again. I therefore recommend you visit it in the morning; your chances of being alone will be greater. There are two restaurants and a parking area where you can park your car. It is also the starting point for the coastal path where you can discover quieter areas a few hundred meters further on.

Around Nice…

Find the full article here visiting Nice

The beach of the Reserve

The secret and exclusive beaches in Nice are becoming increasingly rare… If you want to enjoy a relaxing day away from the Promenade des Anglais, I invite you to head to the beach at La Réserve, after the port of Nice along the coast. For the small anecdote, it is on this beach that «Brice de Nice» desperately waits for his wave that he dreams of surfing on! This emblematic beach is quite small but well known among the locals who want to enjoy some peace and quiet. It has stood the test of time and has become an integral part of the Niçoise identity.

Near this beach there is a yacht club, the famous restaurant of the Reserve, the one with the diving platform (more atypical), and you will also find a yacht club. If you want to enjoy the crystal clear waters, go past the Reserve beach along the edge of the sea for about a hundred meters towards Coco Beach, and at the bottom you will see rocks and platforms accessible by stairs. The scenery is even more beautiful!

The beaches of Paloma and Passable in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Just like Cap d’Antibes, Cap Ferrat is also bordered by the coastal path, which allows you to discover real little wonders during a beautiful hike (natural landscapes and steep cliffs, century-old villas, coves, etc.).
After the effort, comfort comes! There are two beaches that we particularly love in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. The first is Paloma Beach, and the second is Passable Beach, which offers a clear view of the colorful port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. A tip: visit the latter in the morning; Villefranche is exposed to the morning lights, which is beautiful.

Passable Beach

Paloma Beach

Around Monaco…

The beach of la Buse in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

To get to the Buse beach, head to the level of the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin train station and follow the access path for a few meters. It’s a small haven of peace where you can relax quietly and enjoy this crystal clear sea to observe the seabed around Pointe de Cabbé. If you’re feeling a bit peckish, there are also some cabanes where you can have a bite to eat on site. Once again, don’t miss the opportunity to venture out on the coastal path; the views are spectacular! Thanks again to Auriane from the Marriott Hotel in Monaco for having shown us this beautiful beach.

The Mala beach in Cap d’Ail

We’ve saved the best for last! Mala Beach is, in our opinion, the most beautiful beach on the Côte d’Azur… This little piece of paradise is located on a cliff, between the rocks, and like most of the secret beaches on the Côte d’Azur, it is made of pebbles, gravel and sand. To enjoy this remarkable natural setting where you feel cut off from the world, you’ll have to descend more than 150 steps if you access the beach from the road (starting from Eden Palace), where you’ll have to follow the magnificent Douaniers trail.

To restore your energy, there are two good restaurants on site, but there’s nothing like having a good picnic in the public space before enjoying a swim in the turquoise waters and admiring the seabed. On Mala Beach, time stops, you forget everything and you enjoy the present moment to relax for a beautiful day under the sun of the Côte d’Azur. If you want to take in the view and discover the hinterland of the Côte d’Azur, I invite you to read this article: Guide: A great weekend in the Côte d’Azur for couples

 

I love my French Riviera…😮 This time we’re taking you to Mala Beach in Cap d’Ail, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur! Thanks to the staff at the #Marriott Porte de Monaco for the great deal 🙂 #ExploreFrenchRiviera #capdail #beachlife #beachday #frenchriviera #cotedazur #visitcotedazur #mycapdail

A photo published by French Travel bloggers ✈️ (@travelmehappy) May 24, 2016 at 11:24 PDT

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