The Côte d’Azur has long been synonymous with cinematic beauty and Mediterranean indulgence - but beyond the glitz of Cannes and the superyachts of Monaco lies a string of beaches that feel far more wild, grounded, and worth your time. The coastline stretches from the Italian border through Nice, Antibes, and Saint-Tropez, all the way west into the quiet inlets of Cassis, and it’s here that you’ll find every version of the perfect beach - from postcard-perfect coves with pale turquoise water to long stretches of white sand backed by pine forests.

Whether you’re looking to sunbathe somewhere iconic, find a secluded cove for a quiet swim, or take on a hike to a remote inlet with surreal views, these are the most beautiful beaches of the French Riviera - with everything you need to know before you go.

+ Want to save every spot easily? Scroll to the bottom of this post for a downloadable Google Map! +

1. Calanque d’En-Vau - The Most Breathtaking Cove

No beach on the Riviera feels more surreal than En-Vau. Set deep within Calanques National Park, this narrow cove is framed by towering limestone cliffs and dense pines, with electric turquoise water below. It’s not easy to reach - but that’s exactly the point. En-Vau demands effort, and the payoff is one of the most unforgettable swims you’ll ever take.

• Parking: Park at Calanque de Port-Miou or the Presqu’île de Cassis lot. We hiked from our apartment in the center of Cassis eliminating the need to park.
• Hike Info: Around 1 to 2 hours each way, depending on your pace and ability; we found the hike to be overall easy, but the rocks on certain parts are slippery, so wearing gripping shoes and not sandals is ideal.
• Best For: Adventurous travelers and hikers; bring plenty of water, proper shoes, a lunch or snacks, and a full-day mentality.

2. Pampelonne Beach - Saint-Tropez’s Long and Famous Shoreline

Plage de Pampelonne is Saint-Tropez at its most iconic - long, white, and lined with the kind of beach clubs that defined French glamour in the ‘70s and haven’t really stopped since. Despite its fame, the beach itself is massive, stretching for nearly 5 kilometers along the Ramatuelle coast, with endless yachts parked outside the swim zone. There’s plenty of room to spread out away from the party scene, especially on the southern and northern ends, which are quieter and feel less curated.

• Parking: Multiple paid parking lots along the road behind the beach; during summer, arrive early or prepare for a long walk.Try the parking lot by Nikki Beach - it's much less crazy than the one Google maps takes you to.
• Facilities: Full amenities, including restaurants, bathrooms, showers, and beach clubs.
• Good to Know: You don’t need to go to a beach club to enjoy Pampelonne - bring a towel, walk a bit further, and you’ll find open space and public sand.

3. Plage du Mont Salva - Hidden Cove Outside of Toulon

If you’re craving something smaller, lesser-known, and surrounded by cliffs and scrubby forest, Mont Salva is the kind of quiet, scenic cove you rarely see in glossy French Riviera guides. It’s located in Six-Fours-les-Plages outside Toulon, tucked away at the base of a pine-covered headland. The water is exceptionally clear, and the beach feels more like a local secret than a tourist destination.

• Parking: A dirt lot cut into trees is at the top of the hill (watch for stumps!) From there, it’s a short but steep 10-minute walk down to the cove.
• Hiking Info: While not technically a hike, the descent can be rocky - it is ideal to wear sneaker here and bring your sandals for later. When looking at the beach, the significantly easier path is to the left. 
• Best For: A calm afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, and reading without crowds.

4. Plage du Bestouan - A Stylish Rocky Cove in Cassis

Bestouan is Cassis’ answer to the upscale beach club scene - smaller, chic, and built into a rocky cliffside just a short walk from town. The pebbled beach isn’t huge, but the water is some of the clearest in the region, with a distinctive pale blue-green color. It’s easy to access and surrounded by low-key spots for rosé and oysters, making it one of the most effortlessly stylish places to spend an afternoon.

• Parking: Paid parking right behind the beach along Avenue du Revestel, or park in Cassis town and walk down (10-15 minutes).
• Facilities: Beach bars, restrooms, restaurants nearby. The Au Petit Buffet snack stand just off the beach is surprisingly good!
• Good to Know: It’s one of the best spots in Cassis for a quick dip without the Calanque hike. The beach gets crowded in the peak of the day, but is very quiet in the mornings and late afternoon.

5. Plage des Marinieres - Villefranche-sur-Mer’s Best Beach for a Classic Swim

Just east of Nice, this beach wraps around one of the most photogenic bays on the Riviera, Villefrance-sur-Mer. If you are staying in the Nice area, this is absolutely the village you should make your home base. Marinieres is long, easily accessible, and perfect for a slow, all-day beach session. The beach itself is pebbled, but the slope into the water is gentle, and the bay is sheltered from heavy wind and waves - ideal for swimming and floating.

• Parking: Paid parking along Avenue de la Basse Corniche, but spaces fill fast in peak season.
• Train Access: Villefranche-sur-Mer station is directly behind the beach - one of the easiest spots to reach by rail.
• Vibe: Family-friendly, calm, and scenic; not remote, but not overdeveloped either.

6. Plage de la Fosse - A Secluded Gem in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Just south of the port in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Plage de la Fosse curves along a calm stretch of sea framed by villas and pine trees. Quiet and tucked away, this is one of the peninsula’s most peaceful swimming spots - a gentle escape with clear, still water and sun-warmed concrete pontoons perfect for stretching out or diving in. The beach is narrow and pebbled, with a shallow entry ideal for long, lazy swims, and none of the chaos of the region’s bigger resort beaches.

• Parking: Very limited along Avenue Claude Vignon; best reached on foot from the village center.
  Access: Easy 10-minute walk from Saint-Jean’s port; flat and paved the whole way. or rent a speedboat from Villefranche and anchor in the bay.
  Vibe: Low-key, local, and serene. No restaurants or beach clubs - just sun, sea, and stillness. Bring what you need and plan to stay a while.

7. Plage Paloma - Cap Ferrat’s Most Elegant and Protected Bay

Paloma Beach sits tucked into a quiet corner of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a curved bay shielded from wind, with calm water and refined energy. While part of the beach is taken up by a beach club, the public section still offers the same crystal-clear water and scenic headland views. It’s an ideal place for stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and lounging in peace.

The bay is also the perfect place to swim from a rental speedboat, with a pier you can swim to easily to walk along the beach.

• Parking: Street parking near the Paloma Beach Club entrance; can be tight in July and August.
• Facilities: Beach club with rental chairs, restaurant; bring your own towel for the public section.
• Vibe: Polished and serene - think linen button-downs and chilled rosé, not loud crowds or speakers.

8. Plage des Sablettes - A Calm, Sandy Beach in Menton

On the far eastern edge of the Riviera, just before the Italian border, Menton has a softer, more old-world feel. Sablettes is the town’s most accessible and scenic beach - wide, sandy, and family-friendly, with pastel buildings rising behind it and the occasional Italian word floating by in conversation. It’s one of the best swimming beaches in the area.

• Parking: Several lots nearby, including the Quai Napoléon III lot.
• Train Access: Menton station is about a 15-minute walk through the historic center - scenic, straightforward, and well-connected to Nice, Monaco, and Ventimiglia.
• Good For: Easy beach day with kids, swimming, or post-lunch lounging after exploring Menton’s town center.
• Bonus: Menton is one of the few Riviera towns with more sand than pebbles - ideal if you’re tired of rocky shores.

Best French Riviera Intinerary to See It All:

The best way to experience all of these beaches without rushing is to split your time between two base camps: stay a few nights in Villefranche-sur-Mer to explore the eastern stretch of the Riviera - including Paloma, Marinieres, La Fosse, and even a quick detour into Menton - then head west to Cassis for a few days of calanque hiking, quiet coves, and dramatic scenery. Cassis puts you close to Bestouan, En-Vau, Mont Salva, and Sablettes, and allows for day trips into the wild edges of the coast. You won’t need to switch accommodations every night; just two anchor points, a car, and a loose plan are all you need to see the best beaches on the Côte d’Azur without losing the slow, relaxed rhythm that defines this coastline.

Each of these beaches offers something different - wild coves, upscale retreats, easy swims, or challenging hikes - and together they define the real appeal of the French Riviera: variety, beauty, and a pace that slows you down in the best possible way.

Download The Google Map Of All Spots Here!