Life’s a plage — or “beach” in French if your française is inexistante.
Vacationing in the South of France need not require a beachfront hotel stay for you to soak up the luxuriousness of the Cote d’Azur.
Non, mon ami, you’re free to roll up to a beach club along the shoreline and rent everything from beach towels and chairs to loungers and resort daypasses.
Pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, and little else: the best beach clubs in the French Riviera have the rest covered.
Best beach clubs close to Saint-Tropez
French beach towns like Saint-Tropez bring big-city lavishness to small historic ports. Bathe in the sun at these French Riviera beach clubs.
Nikki Beach
Best beach club for: A fancy French Riviera getaway.
A restaurant and beach club that’s 20 years old and certainly acts its age, this playful part of Pampelonne Beach is adults-only. Don’t be surprised if you rub elbows with a celebrity when ordering a bottle of rosé from the bar.
Barco Beach
Best beach club for: Families looking for fun in the sun.
Take your kids to the turquoise waters of Sainte-Maxime and worry not about any inappropriate shenanigans in the sand. A dedicated children’s corner on the beach is reserved for younger guests, while Family Fun Nights throughout the summer amp up the fun.
Beach beach clubs around Nice
La Paloma Beach
Best beach club for: Well-deserved splurging.
Paloma Beach Club, located on the ultra-lavish St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, is where your black card will feel at home. If you’re chartering a yacht or private helicopter, this private South of France beach club’s clientele will help you see the true definition of “the good life”.
Pointe de l'Aiguille State Park
Best beach club for: Snorkeling and sunbathing.
Don’t forget your snorkel when visiting Pointe de l'Aiguille State Park. You can grab a waterproof map from the lifeguard station or Théoule sur Mer tourist office that points out the different habitats you can find along the park’s snorkeling trail. Just don’t be surprised if you find some of the sea life also on the menu at the park’s restaurant.
Beach beach clubs near Monte Carlo
Not exactly “French” but still sharing the French Riviera shoreline, these are two of the best beach clubs in Monaco if you want to lay your beach towel down on the micronation’s coastline.
La Note Bleue Beach Club
Best beach club for: Feeling like a baller, on a budget.
You’ll post photos from La Note Bleue Beach Club and your followers will assume you’re taking out a second mortgage just to turn up in Monaco. Little do they know that a lounger, umbrella, and small table are set at $33 for the full day.
Monte-Carlo Beach Club
Best beach club for: The French Riviera views.
A private beach, an Olympic-size saltwater pool, and an al fresco lunch you’ll wish wouldn’t end. But it must if you’re going to make your aquagym session and kayak rental.
A Few Things To Know
Does the French Riviera have nude beaches?
Yes, you can lounge unclothed in the Cote d’Azur at a number of beaches including Laurent-Eze, Cap d’Agde, and Plage Naturiste du Saint-Selon.
Are there sharks in France?
Yes, there have been shark sightings in the South of France, but they’re not your biggest concern. Medusas, however, are. These jellyfish can be prevalent near the French Riviera beach clubs and they’ve got one powerful sting. Onctose hydrocortisone cream, or something similar, is available over the counter at most pharmacies and is a godsend if you’re ever stung.
Is there beach parking in the South of France?
There is limited parking at Cote d’Azur beaches depending on which beach club you visit. Some beaches have ample parking, others are limited, and some spots may have you pulling into a narrow spot on the edge of a steep cliff — and wondering why you didn’t add rental insurance to your ride.
What’s the easiest way to get around the French Riviera’s best beach clubs? By train. Instead of trying to find an inconvenient place to leave your car baking in the sun, settle into a seat and apply your sunscreen on the train.
Download the Trainline app and get from your hotel to the best beach clubs in the French Riviera with ease.