The Best Beach Clubs in the French Riviera Côte d'Azur
L’Eden Plage Mala in Cap-d'Ail
Plage de la Mala, 06320 Cap-d'Ail, France
The All-Day Escape Beach Club
When I first heard about Mala Plage, it was touted as a hidden gem only the French locals knew about. Fast forward 12 years and the rise of TikTok and the secret is out. Still, this little slice of heaven manages to retain its magic. If you didn’t know about this charming beach spot, you’d pass it by being none the wiser. Cap d’Ail (hear how to pronounce it here) is tucked between Nice and Monaco and often gets overlooked in favour of its glitzier neighbours. But the real beauty of this bay, Baie de Saint Laurent to be exact, is how this croissant-shaped cove feels like your own private corner of the Mediterranean.
Getting to this treasured spot is part of the charm, so wear your walking shoes. Trust me, leather-soled Christian Dior slides are a recipe for disaster. There are hundreds of steps taking you down to the beach, but you’ll be so enveloped by the scenery you’ll barely notice. It’s more in the evening, after a few too many Aperols and a robust helping of vongole spaghetti, that you’ll care about your choice of footwear and how many more stairs are left, while promising your Uber that you really will be there in two minutes.
Eden Plage Mala truly holds a treasure chest of magic. There’s something about lounging on one of the chairs, gazing out to sea with cliffs framing the view on either side, that makes anything feel possible. You can easily spend the entire day here and I highly recommend that you do. Even better if you can leave your phone at your hotel or turn it off. During the summer months, you’ll want to make a booking for a sun lounger for 50€, even during the work week, and make sure to bring your own towel if you don’t want to shell out another €12. I’m afraid Heaven doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a moment you’ll cherish for a long time to come.
Anao Plage in Beaulieu sur Mer
Av. Fernand Dunan, 06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France
The We Just Flew In, Let’s Go For Lunch That Turns Into an Afternoon Sunbathe Beach Club
There’s one thing I know about Anao Plage: it lures you in like a grand seducer. What starts as a leisurely lunch of fresh salads and seafood pasta always turns into an afternoon of swimming in the Baie des Fourmis.
Anao Plage is effortlessly chic. It’s the Sylvie from Emily in Paris of beach clubs. It’s usually one of my first stops after landing in the South of France. You show up sometime after midday, having been up since 2 or 3 AM, and neither you nor your travel partner believes it’ll be a swim day. And yet, that’s exactly what happens.
The sun warms your skin, you begin to melt into your chair, and suddenly nothing is more tempting than diving into that sapphire water. My rule of thumb for the Côte d’Azur: always keep your swimsuit in your bag. You never know where the day will take you.
And, this is my personal experience, so don’t take it as a matter of scientific fact, but I always find the Baie des Fourmis beach warmer than others in the region. Bonus points to Anao for installing anti-jellyfish nets during the summer.
L'Alba Beach Club in Cannes
31 Bd Jean Hibert, 06400 Cannes, France
The “We’re Heading to the Airport but Wait One Last Swim” Beach Club
It’s your final day in the French Riviera. Your bags are packed, you’ve checked out of your hotel, and you’ve decided to spend your last few hours wandering around Cannes before your evening flight. Enter L’Alba. It is equal parts charming and relaxed, and just the place to soak in one last dose of sunshine. When you stare out at the ocean and you wish for nothing more than “one last dip”, you think c’est impossible, but alas. The location of this beach club is perfectly positioned in front of a market that sells cheap and cheerful swimsuits that are perfect for your last swim. Plus, it has sandy beaches. So abandon your reservations and “come on in, the water's fine.”
