Top 5 private Beaches on the Cote d’Azur

The French Riviera is abundant with beautiful coastline and stunning white beaches. With so many beautiful places to spend the day relaxing in the sun, we have created a list of the top private beaches to enjoy on your visit to the Cote d’Azur.

Carlton Beach Club, Cannes

One of the most famous and sought after private beaches in the South of France, Carlton inter-continental beach in Cannes is high on the ‘must see’ list. Part of the prestigious Carlton Intercontinental Hotel, the Carlton beach club the perfect choice for spending an afternoon relaxing in maximum comfort. Relax under their lovely white and yellow striped parasols on the beautifully groomed sand or book a deck chair on the iconic Carlton pier – This is definitely place to be seen! This beach is open from 1^st July until mid-October, visit their website to reserve a sunbed, recommended in advance for a place on the pier.

Les Pecheurs Beach Club, Juan Les Pins

For a quieter, calmer setting to help you unwind in the sunshine; Les Pecheurs in Juan Les Pins in the perfect spot. On the grounds of a 5* hotel, this private beach boast beautiful uninterrupted views over the Lerins islands and the Esterel Mountains. As well as lounging under the parasols and swimming in the sea; you can also indulge in beauty treatments and massages in their ‘Wellness tent’. This beach is open from April until October, visit the Cap d’Antibes Beach hotel website to reserve your lounger and beauty treatments in advance.

Le Plage Barriere Le Majestic, Cannes

Open all year round, this is a fantastic choice for a day on the beach in June or a special lunch on the beach in November! Le Plage Barrier has the perfect location across the road from the ultra-lux Majestic Hotel in Cannes, on the famous La Croisette and just a few minutes’ walk from the Palais des Festivals. Le Plage Barriere boasts wonderful views out to the Lerin islands, the largest jetty on La Croisette, a large array of watersports, incredible food and glamourous music events in the evening. It’s easy to see why the the Plage Barriere is such a popular, upmarket private beach!  It is also popular with famous faces and filmmakers during Cannes Film Festival so this is the best location to people watch and ‘be seen’ whilst you enjoy a relaxing, luxury day at the beach.  

Le Provencal, Juan Les Pins

Just a few steps away from the vibrant heart of the seaside town of Juan les Pins; treat yourself to a day at the fabulous Le Provencal. The white sandy beach enjoys panoramic views of the Bay of Juan les Pins and Golfe Juan and is provides a perfect balance between lively and relaxing atmosphere  with its comfy sun loungers, live DJs and a fabulous restaurant (we highly recommend a pudding!). Visit their website here for more information and to book a table at the restaurant or private loungers on the beach.

Plage Beau Rivage, Nice

Plage Beau Rivage is situated on famous Promenade Des Anglais coastal strip of the beautiful town of Nice. It is also arguably the most fashionable and chic private beaches on the Nice coast. The beach itself is split into two areas: L’Espace Tendance which is a cool beach lounge and bar with music, and the L’Espace Zen which is an elegant and calm setting for tranquillity. Relax under crisp white umbrellas and beautiful decking before having a delicious lunch at the restaurant. Plage Beau Rivage also hold some great parties with DJ sets throughout the summer. Plage Beau Rivage is open from May to October, book online here.

Our South of France specialists can arrange any private beach reservations, luxury beach parties and restaurant reservations in advance alongside your villa booking. Get in touch today to start planning your perfect villa and holiday activities for a truly unforgettable stay in the South of France.  

Do The French Have The Perfect Work-Life Balance?

Lunch Break: 1.5 – 2hrs

The French are famous for their leisurely long lunches and leaving the office early which makes us slightly jealous and left wondering whether stress exists in France.

 How many times have you sat at your desk on your lunch break, furiously eating a salad or squashed sandwich whilst on the phone to your bank or energy company at the same time as trying to write a well versed email?

The British are notoriously bad for not taking a lunch break. The most we step away from our desks is to pop across the road to pick up a takeaway sandwich from the local Pret A Manger, or at a push, squeeze in a sweaty spin class to try and relieve some stress. When was the last time you went for a wander or took your full lunch hour to catch up with a friend?  

The French live life a much simpler way. Your lunchtime may include a restful hour and a half in a local restaurant with a friend or reading your book in the sunshine by the beach under the cloudless sky. Lunch is very important to the French. Even ‘work lunches’ will consist of a starter, main, cheese course and dessert and if you have to slum it in the work canteen (which offers free meals) you can enjoy delicacies such as fresh sea bass and greens in a butter and caper sauce.

The French have a much better and healthier viewpoint on food and lunch in general compared to the Brits. Instead of seeing lunch as a time to ‘refuel’ they believe it is a time to maintain friendship and helps with productivity.

Working Week: 35 hours

France has the shortest working week in Europe with just 35 hours. French workers also get 50% of their transport costs covered each month, double pay at Christmas and some workers even having a ‘no emails after 6pm’ rule. Extra life celebration perks include receiving 4 days off for your wedding and 16 weeks maternity leave compared to the UK’s 6 weeks. Wouldn’t that be lovely?!

People can obviously choose to work a little longer if they wish but they will either receive overtime pay or the equivalent time off next month which could add up to two extra days off! Bob Hancké, associate professor of political economy at London School of Economics and Political Science explains. “France’s working week is officially limited to 35 hours. But local trade unions can negotiate arrangements that deviate, as long as the average annual working time is 35 hours,” he says. “What’s worked above that is in principle overtime and paid as such (usually at 100% extra).”

Does it make a difference?

“One of the positive things I’ve noticed about French working culture is that even when things are busy and people are putting in the hours, you still have a life,” says Louise Preston, 31, who’s spending a year working in Paris as head of curriculum development at a small start-up. “We work in a high-paced environment but my colleagues still all play sports, go to the cinema, eat out or visit art galleries during the week. Life isn’t just about work, and even if you finish late, you still make the effort to do something, like head to a late-night exhibition. There’s a real value to spending spare time wisely and I just don’t think that exists to the same extent in the UK.”

It’s no surprise, then, that research carried out by totaljobs.com has found that British workers suffer more stress and feel less able to deal with their workloads than the French. According to the 2014 research, only 13% of UK employees reported feeling no stress and “on top of their workload”. The French were among the least stressed, with 64% of employees reporting that they felt no stress at all at work and had no problem handling their workloads.

87% of UK employees feel stressed and can't handle their workload

 Although we have different working laws and longer working weeks, the French do seem to be onto something. They have a healthier view on a work-life balance, not letting it take over your personal time and development. Although we might not stop working at 6pm we will definitely start by treating ourselves to a lunch outside of the office today!

Top 5 French Riviera Dishes

There are so many delightful dishes to try on the Cote d’Azur with each town having its own twist and specialities on French classics. Seaside cities such as Cannes, St Tropez and Cap Ferrat have a seafront influence, with some of the best restaurants by their harbours with a fabulous selection of fresh fish on their menus.

We have created a list of our favourite dishes to try on your visit to the French Riviera and that you can attempt to make at home. Bon Apetit!

Salad Nicoise

An all time favourite and french crowd pleaser; a trip to the Cote d’Azur would not be complete without a salad Nicoise. This delicious, filling salad includes mixed salad leaves, tomatoes, red onion, olives, tuna, green beans, hard boiled eggs as well as occasionally new potatoes and anchovies. Best served with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Salad Nicoise Recipe

Ratatouille

Did you know ratatoille originated from Nice? Created in the Old Town of Nice, the ingredients can vary depending on tastes but essentially it is a mix of fresh herbs such as thyme and garlic with vegetables incudling onion, carrot, aubergine, courgette and tomatoes. This dish is often served as a side to either chicken or veal in France.

Classic Ratatouille Recipe

Soupe Au pistou

A delicious, indulgent soup made from a blend of fresh garlic, basil, olive oil and beans. This is a popular Provencal dish that can be enjoyed as a starter or a light lunch on the go.

Soupe Au Pistou Recipe

Moules et Frites

What better place to enjoy fresh mussels than sat in the French Riviera sunshine, looking out to the beautiful meditteranean sea? Hot crispy fries, a bucket of intensely fresh mussels marinated in garlic and white wine, served with a piece of crusty french baguette to mop up all of the flavour!

Classic French Mussels Recipe

Pissaladière

This is a gorgeous savoury tart made in the style of a pizza. This dish also originated from Nice, with traditional toppings inclusing caramelised onies, olives, garlic and anchovies. It’s a great choice for a starter or a lunch and you can grab it from most boulangeries for just a few euros.  

Delicious Pissaladiere Recipe

What are your favourite French dishes? Have you experienced a local delicacy whilst in the South of France? Let us know in the comments below! 

Top 5 Cote d’Azur Markets

An integral part of French lifestyle, and one of France's most famous attributes are the traditional weekly and daily markets. With a great variety of goods on offer and beautiful surrounding towns, immersing yourself in the local culture and going to a nearby market really is a 'must-do' for any trip to the South of France.

Here are our Top 5 markets to visit on the French Riviera:

Biot – Provencal market

Every Tuesday morning the Biot market takes place in the town’s historical center. From the rue Saint Sebastian to the Place Arcades, traditional products and fresh produce including vegetables and fruits are on display alongside delicious local Provencal and French products. Here you can also pick up some fashionable French clothing, jewelry and handmade dishes of Provence.

Cannes – Marche Forville

Get a taste of local life in Cannes at the Marche Forville, or Forville Market. The outdoor market is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, breads, cheeses and more. The perfect place to find all the ingredients you need to create your own Mediterranean dinner! You can find the farmers market Rue du Marché Forville just a few minutes’ walk from Le Vieux Port. Forville Market is open seven days a week and closes about 2pm, apart from Monday’s when it is turned into an antiques market. 

St Tropez – Places Des Lices

In the heart of St Tropez’s famous Place des Lices this is a fantastic open air market sells a huge range of foods including breads, pastries, cheeses, sausages, flowers, olives, spices, herbs, fruit and vegetables as well as clothes, beautiful antique mirrors and collectables. Locals head to the market early to secure the freshest produce and to secure the best bargains, so worth setting your alarm a little earlier for this one!

Antibes – Marche Provencal

An authentic Provençal covered market in the heart of Antibes. Situated in Cours Massena in the Old Town with over 30 producers and vendors ranging from butchers, florists, cheese experts and market gardeners to tiny stalls selling spices, olives, homemade jams and fragrant soaps. A beautiful market to walk through with a true vintage French feel. In 2014, the market was awarded a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by TripAdvisor. Fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers every morning, apart from Mondays in winter and arts and crafts every day from 3pm.

Nice - Flower market

In the shade of pretty striped awnings, hundreds of flowers make eyes at you. It will be hard to resist the multi-coloured geraniums, intense mauve fuchsias, dahlias with their anemone-shaped flowers, and the vivid impatiens being sold by the nursery vendors. Anyone strolling by these harmonious floral displays will be able to breathe in the fragrances and enjoy the colourful bouquets, plants and exotic flowers that await them. 

Our South of France consultants are dedicated experts in the regions we work in. Get in touch today to receive unrivaled knowledge when booking your perfect villa for your trip to the Cote d'Azur. 

Call +44 (0)1244 629963

or

 enquiries@elegant-address.com

Private Beaches To Lunch At In The South Of France

The wonderful beaches on the Cote d’Azur have a lot to offer, stunning views, day-long sunshine and fantastic restaurants with delicious local cuisine, we have listed just a few restaurants where you’ll be sure to indulge whilst soaking up the sunshine:

Paloma Beach Restaurant

St Jean Cap Ferrat

This beach is one of the most beautiful coastal spots on the Cote d’Azur, with a relaxed yet chic ambience and stunning views over Beaulieu, Cap d’Ail and the cliffs at Eze. The Paloma Beach restaurant serves delicious plates of fresh fish and local specialities and can cater an event for up to 250 people. The restaurant offers a boat pick up service allowing you to relax on the waters before indulging in delicious cuisine.

Open daytime from Easter – September

Open evenings from the end of May – August

Plage Les Dunes

Cannes

Located close to Cannes Film Festival, this private beach is perfectly situated for a romantic escape. This picturesque beach is a lovers paradise with a fabulous restaurant, that is situated on the Croisette, perfect for a candle lit dinner with Mediterranean specialities. Open all year round for lunch enjoying the magnificent views of the French Riviera. With themed nights and high levels of service be sure to visit here to experience the luxurious way of Cannes life.

La Baie Doree

Cap d’Antibes

One of the prettiest bays in the South of France, with clear and calm waters, exceptional swimming conditions and perfect views of the Cote d’Azur. Here you can enjoy the wonderful restaurant food, delicious cocktails and even a relaxing massage on request. The light menu offers locally caught fish, fresh vegetables pizzas and pastas with efficient and friendly staff in a divine setting.

Papaya Beach

Eze –sur – Mer

This private beach club is located in the bay of Eze with amazing sea views. This stony beach only fits a row of sun loungers, which has the benefit of being calm and relaxing allowing you to take in the beauty around you. The restaurant team will cater for your every need with delicious food and attentive service. The menu offers fresh Mediterranean specialities with Asian influences creating classic dishes of Provence.

Zelos Beach

Beaulieu sur Mer

This luxury private beach with rows of stylish white cabanas on the sand create a glamorous, chic feel. This is a favourite for modern young crowds for relaxing afternoons, and party atmosphere in the evenings. Open between May – October in very high season this private beach is full every day, so don’t envy, book in advance! The restaurant offers a simple Mediterranean menu, as well as International dishes such as Sushi which is highly recommended.