Côte d'Azur Beaches

Not only do you have great weather and scenery on the French Riviera, but you are also spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches.  However, don't make the same mistake we did in peak season - driving up and down the coastline looking for a deserted beauty spot....you won't find one!  From St Tropez to Grimaud the coastline is packed with coves and delightful beaches (see left).  And the area around St Raphael has some fine beaches….. but it will be busy and parking can be a problem.  So if you want to spend a day on the beach you are recommended to make a day of it and arrive early!

These are our favourites:          - Agay           - Cannes           - Cassis            - Fréjus

Cassis Plage

Location: 20km east of Marseilles via the D559.

General Information: Town website.

Description: Cassis is a very pleasant Riviera town and mercifully has not been developed in the same way of other towns along this coast.  It has several beaches to recommend it.

Our recommendations: The Plage de la Grande Mer alongside the harbour is the place to head for if you are looking for decent sand.  To add to the interest of the day you can catch a boat from the port to the Calanques (mini fjords), or the more energetic can take the marked clifftop walk (3 hours there and back).  Round off the day with a meal in one of the cafés overlooking the port.

It's a long time since we visited the Côte d'Azur with the children and they don't remember much about it.  So we can't offer a list of their favourites here.  If you would like to propose some, please send us your feedback.