The ten most beautiful beaches of Provence and the Côte d'Azur

Provence and the Côte d'Azur: two names that sound like sun, sea and endless summer days. Here the air smells of lavender and pine resin, the crickets sing, and there is a soft and salty breeze on your skin. Along this coastline – from the wild Camargue to the elegant Menton – you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in France. From the holiday parks Vallée de la Ste. Baume and Jardin du Golf the sea is only a short drive. The Mediterranean Sea sparkles in shades of turquoise and emerald. Some beaches are wide and quiet, surrounded by dunes, whilst others are small and intimate, hidden between rocks. Everywhere you go you really feel that typical southern French holiday feeling: long afternoons, lukewarm evenings, a glass of rosé on the beach and the sound of lapping waves.

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1. Plage de l’Espiguette – Camargue

Plage de l'Espiguette lies in the south of the Camargue, near Le Grau-du-Roi. This is a place where nature still reigns. The beach is immensely wide; the horizon seems endless. Sand dunes roll as far as you can see, and behind the dunes lie salt flats where flamingos stand in shallow water. The sea is clear and fresh and has a gentle slope. This makes this beach popular among families with young children. Yet it never feels busy, even in the summer. There are hardly any buildings, just a few simple beach bars and wooden walkways through the sand. This beach is a paradise for kite surfers: the wind blows freely over the plain and the water gleams in the sun. The Camargue has something timeless. As the sun sets, the sky turns orange and violet, and the world seems to stand still for a moment.

2. Plage de Pampelonne – Ramatuelle (Saint-Tropez)

Plage de Pampelonne – a name that has become synonymous with the glamour of the Côte d'Azur, stretches between Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle. Here, sunglasses, champagne bottles and azure, blue water glisten side by side. But Pampelonne is more than just luxury. The bay is five kilometers long, and in addition to the well-known beach clubs, you will also find quiet areas where families and nature lovers lay down their towels. During your holiday in FranceComfort - Résidence de Salernes, we recommend spending a day on Plage de Pampelonne. The sand is soft and the water is crystal clear. Sailing boats bob in the distance, soft music sounds on the beach and children laugh in the surf.

3. Plage de l’Almanarre – Hyères

On the west side of the Giens peninsula lies Plage de l'Almanarre, a dream for water sports enthusiasts. The wind here often blows from the west, filling the sea with colourful kites and sails. One side of the road borders the Mediterranean Sea, the other the shallow lagoon of Pesquiers – a unique landscape where salt, sand and air meet. Yet the beach is not only for water sports enthusiasts. On calm days, the beach is ideal for families: the water is clear and the waves are small. There are no tall buildings, just a few beach houses, dunes and the sky. At the end of the afternoon, the light seems to turn golden – that special Provençal light that painters and photographers have been dreaming of for centuries.

4. Plage de l’Estagnol – Bormes-les-Mimosas

Those who follow the winding road to Plage de l'Estagnol near Bormes-les-Mimosas will be rewarded with one of the most idyllic beaches in the south of France. The beach is hidden between pine forests that provide shade, and the water is so clear that it seems as if the sea itself is giving light. The bay is small and sheltered, which keeps the sea calm even on windy days. Your children can play safely in the shallow water whilst you read a book or lie down in the shade of the trees. The smell of pine and sea fills the air. A narrow path leads to a simple beach bar where cold drinks and fresh fish are served. There is no abundance and no crowds – just the simplicity of a summer's day stretching into the evening.

5. Plage Notre-Dame – Île de Porquerolles

There is a boat that takes you from the port of Hyères to a little piece of paradise known as Île de Porquerolles. On the northeast coast of the island in the Mediterranean Sea, lies Plage Notre-Dame – a beach that is often considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The crossing only takes twenty minutes but feels like a journey to another world. Cars are forbidden, the air is clean, and you can hear birds chirping everywhere. The beach itself is a crescent of white sand, surrounded by pines and eucalyptus. The water is crystal clear and turns from light green to deep blue. Here you can swim among fish, walk along shady paths and look out over the shimmering sea. It is a place where everything slows down – where summer really takes its time.

6. Plage de la Mala – Cap-d’Ail

At the foot of steep cliffs, not far from Monaco, lies Plage de la Mala. The descent via stairs is a little adventure in itself, but once downstairs, a bay awaits that looks like something straight out of a film. The sea is deep blue, the sand golden and the surrounding cliffs provide shelter and a sense of seclusion. The atmosphere is chic but relaxed: elegant sunbeds, a few sophisticated restaurants, and at the same time the sound of waves drowns out everything else. If you swim a little further, you will see underwater rock formations glistening in the sunlight. La Mala is a place for dreamers – for those who love beauty, silence and the magic of the Côte d'Azur.

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7. Plage de la Salis – Antibes

Plage de la Salis, a beach that is loved by tourists and locals alike, lies on the edge of lively Antibes. The beach has a unique view: on the left you will see the old town with its fortress walls and on the right, you will see the peaks of the Alps that sometimes still bear snow. The sea is calm, the sand soft and the atmosphere easy-going. Guests of FranceComfort - Domaine de Castellane often go here for a day out during their holidays. Families picnic in the shade of palm trees, children look for shells, and couples walk on the boulevard with an ice cream in hand. Everything exudes the South of France – simple, cheerful and full of life.

8. Plage de la Garoupe – Cap d’Antibes

Plage de la Garoupe lies a few kilometres further, on the east side of Cap d'Antibes. This beach is smaller than most beaches in the region, but perhaps that is why it is so popular. This is the place to come for peace and quiet, clear water and a touch of history. At the beginning of the twentieth century, writers such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald came here to find inspiration. And that atmosphere of timelessness still lingers: wooden jetties, small boats, gently rushing waves. The water is crystal clear and the seabed slopes gently, making it the perfect place for snorkeling or just floating in the water. Garoupe is not a beach where you are in a hurry. It is a place to stay for hours, with the smell of salt and sunscreen in the air and the feeling that the world has stopped for a moment.

9. Plage du Lavandou – Le Lavandou

Le Lavandou is a charming coastal town between Hyères and Saint-Tropez, and its beach is the heart of the village. The promenade is bustling with life, but the beach has a relaxed vibe. The sand is soft and golden, the water calm and inviting. Families gather here for long summer days: kids build castles, parents read in sun loungers, and at the end of the day, everyone strolls to the pier to watch the sunset. Along the beach you will find small cafes and market stalls where the smell of lavender and freshly baked crêpes fills the air. Le Lavandou feels like the South of France you see on postcards – warm, cheerful and welcoming.

10. Plage des Sablettes – Menton

All the way on the east side of the Côte d'Azur, near the Italian border, lies Menton. Menton is a city full of color, flowers and Mediterranean charm. At the foot of the old town is Plage des Sablettes, a beautiful sandy beach overlooking the pastel-colored facades of the promenade. The water is calm and crystal clear, ideal for families with small children. From the beach you can walk straight into the old center, with its narrow streets, lemon shops and terraces. Everything exudes southern elegance – a touch of France with a hint of Italy. On summer evenings, soft music and laughter sound from the promenade, while the sky slowly turns pink. Menton is the gentle end of the Côte d'Azur: light, warm and full of life.

Frequently asked questions about beaches on the Côte d'Azur and in Provence

1. Where are the most beautiful sandy beaches in the South of France?
The wide sandy beaches are mainly located on the western side of Provence - Côte d'Azur in the Camargue, near Hyères and Le Lavandou. Towards the Côte d'Azur and the coastline of Italy, the beaches become narrower and are more often located between rocks, such as at Cap d'Antibes and Menton. It is not always easy to reach these secluded beaches.

2. Are the beaches child-friendly?
Yes, especially Plage de l'Estagnol, Plage des Sablettes and Plage de la Salis are ideal for families thanks to the shallow, calm water and soft sandy bottom. Here the children can play while the parents are sunbathing. Finish off your day with a scoop of ice cream whilst relaxing in one of the seaside resorts of Provence - Côte d'Azur.

3. Can you go to the beach for free everywhere?
Most beaches are freely accessible, but in some places – such as Pampelonne and l'Estagnol – a small parking fee is charged in high season.