If you want to enjoy a glam sunset aperitif or a romantic sea view dinner, you should choose among the most sophisticated beach clubs that dot the French Riviera. The beach clubs in the French Riviera are also ideal for business meetings in the open air and in a totally relaxing atmosphere at times, and full of fun at other times. They are very cool meeting places in charming France. Who can’t be tempted by a glass of champagne at sunset, while tasting good sushi, or diving into the crystal clear waters of the French Riviera?
Here are the points of interests I am going to talk about.
MONTE-CARLO
1. Odyssey All Hotel Métropole
Yes it is true, Odyssey All Hotel Métropole is not directly on the beach, but I really like it, because there is a typical beach club atmosphere. Swimming pool, solarium, garden lounge area and restaurant signed by the myth of Karl Lagerfeld. The Odyssey All Hotel Métropole restaurant, overlooking the Place du Casino, is located on the rooftop of the Hotel Métropole. Cocktails are accompanied by the finger food of Joël Robuchon, Michelin-starred ‘chef of the century’, died in 2018. Thanks to its open kitchen, the two Michelin-starred restaurant allows guests to admire Executive Chef Christophe Cussac and his team while preparing incredible dishes ready to be tasted.
- Ideal for all lovers of design, fashion and movida.
2. Nikki Beach Monte-Carlo
Nikki Beach Monte-Carlo is located on the rooftop of the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, which is a lovely place to have breakfast, with breathtaking views of the city and Mediterranean Sea. From here, you can also see the Place du Casino and Monaco. Here, the real lux is laying on comfortable poolside beds, relaxing with your feet in the water and drinking a good glass of champagne.
- Ideal for those who love poolside music and breathtaking views.
CAP D’AIL
3. La Reserve de la Mala
La Reserve de la Mala is a beach club in the French Riviera, located in an inlet near Cap d’Ail, surrounded by high white cliffs, with unique views of Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat. This place was inaugurated in 1933 in memory of the Polish imperial theater dancer Matilda (Mala), which was the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, lover. It looks like they had secret walks during their stay at villa Alam. Here you will also have the opportunity to book an excursion by boat (strictly private) that starts directly from the beach and that shuttles with Cap d’Ail. And not only! The club also provides transfers of boats at anchor 7/7 days.
- Ideal for those who love the 30’s and dramatic landscapes.
4. Eden Plage
I really like the Eden Plage beach club to spend a day in total relaxation. Eden Plage is a real paradise with palm trees and tropical gardens. The water is clear and transparent. This beach club is even more gorgeous at sunset to me. Enjoying a delicious aperitif overlooking the sea is priceless. I visited this beach club for a business meeting a few years ago. As regards the food, there is a large selection of salads from all over the world. Try the Thai salad, if you like Asian flavors. They also have a menu available for yachts at anchor in only 20 minutes.
- Ideal for who is looking for a place to relax, but also to have fun. Many parties with good music on the beach and exceptional service for VIP customers like the YACHT EDEN. The club offers a shuttle service (Cannes, Monaco…), excursions to Porquerolles and Port-Cros or a marine à la carte weekend.
TIP: If you love walking by the sea, do not miss the Sentier du littoral, about 3 km walking. It goes from Cap d’Ail (Mala beach) to Montecarlo (Marquet beach, behind the stadium). The walk takes about an hour. It is not a difficult path. It runs along the coast overlooking the sea with wonderful views of the rocks and crystal clear waters on one side and on pretty villas on the other. The best time of the day? Obviously at sunset, just to appreciate the amazing colors and shades.
Another walk along the coast is the one that starts from the Avenue des Anceins lottans d’Afrique du nord, where there is a staircase leading to the cove. It runs alongside Belle Époque villas, surrounded by rare plants.
EZE
5. Anjuna Beach
Anjuna Beach Club is a sort of institution in the French Riviera, where you can enjoy an atmosphere of joy and liveliness right on the sea. A unique place of its kind starting with the decorations. Here, you will be catapulted into one of those typical fishing villages of the Indian Ocean. Tropical decors, white flowing dream-catchers, multicolored wooden tables. Anjuna is known for being the perfect place to stay with friends or to celebrate a party. If you are looking for party vibes head to this place on the weekend. Dancing, singing and getting to know people from all over the world is the prerogative. The food is Mediterranean and the service very good.
- Ideal for who love traditional décor, meet eclectic people and watch the fireworks festivals during summer. Delicious ribs.
CAP FERRAT
6. La Paloma Beach
La Paloma Beach Club is one of the places in the French Riviera I’m most fond of. It is a pebble beach and is located east of the suggestive Cap Ferrat peninsula. What I like most about this place is that it is in the middle of nature. The sunbeds are on the water and the atmosphere is peaceful. Coco Chanel and other artists literally loved this chic destination. The view over Cap d’Ail and Eze is very beautiful. You can also see the typical houses on the hills of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. If you are lucky enough with the weather conditions you will be able to see Monaco too. The food is also good: try the lobster!
- Ideal for relax, but also for celebrating special events or simply being with your family.
NOTE: Visit Villafranche, characteristic for its small seventeenth-century streets and houses, and Cap d’Antibes with some of its most beautiful beaches: Joliette, Godille and La Garoupe. The latter is famous for the shot that portrays Picasso while protecting his companion Francoise Gilot with a parasol. He dedicated to her Francois “Baigneurs à la Garoupe (1957)“.
NICE
7. Castel Plage
Castel Plage is located at the foot of Rauba Capeu in the French Riviera. It is one of the most beautiful private beaches in Nice. A place of total relaxation and very sophisticated. Here there is also a restaurant where you can enjoy traditional dishes from Provence, lulled by the sound of the waves. Go at sunset!
- Ideal for giving wonderful views across the wide sweeping Baie des Anges. Vibrant atmosphere.
CAP D’ANTIBES
8. La Keller Beach Club
Fine white sand and turquoise sea. I recommend La Keller Beach for the location and the atmosphere you breathe. If you want, here is Le César restaurant, perched above the sand, nice for gourmet lovers food. If you are a couple I recommend it, but consider that the prices are not exactly cheap. I tasted the lemon shrimp skewer and it was very good. Nice place for aperitif.
- Ideal for gourmet food lovers.
9. ROYAL BEACH
Royal Beach Club is located on a wooden bridge overlooking the large villas of Cap d’Antibes in the French Riviera. It has both a soft sandy beach and a pier to choose from for sunbathing.
- Ideal for summer drinks at sunset with your best friends.
TIP: Driving towards Saint Tropez, admire the amazing landscape of Esterel. Along the coast there are beautiful white sand beaches or pebbles and wild coves. Moreover, these areas are not very popular among the tourists and for this reason they retain their pristine charm. However, they are still frequented by locals, enchanted by their beauty. I love Plage d’Or, a long strip of white sand.
SAINT TROPEZ
10. Le Club 55
Le Club 55 is an exclusive beach club in the French Riviera, that became a legend thanks to its appearance in the scene of a famous film, starring Brigitte Bardot: “And then God Created Woman”. Great atmosphere, tasty food you can eat while barefoot on the sand. It is a destination of the international jet set, this is why it is a bit expensive.
- Ideal for sophisticated people and if you get off the boat with your friends.
11. CABANE BAMBOU
Cabane Bambou is the best beach club in Pampelonne to me. The service is really top notch and the food is truly delicious! I had aperitif at the beach bar, barefoot on the sand, looking at the sea. Very pleasant and very relaxed atmosphere. Taste salmon tartare!
- Ideal place if you like live music, cocktails and good food.
These are just some of my favorite beach clubs in the French Riviera. The French Riviera is the perfect place, if you want to live a glamorous weekend and enjoy the beautiful beaches and hills with lush vegetation. Yes, it can be a luxury holiday in all respects. The best time to visit it is from May to September, if you want to enjoy the sea, otherwise it has its charm even during the other months of the year to me.
And you? Have you also visited other Beach Clubs in the French Riviera? Let me know in the comments!