| A top French tourist resort, Nice is located | | | | parasols and towels for rent, while those |
| in southern France on the Mediterranean coast | | | | wishing for a more authentic experience can |
| between Marseille and Genoa in the | | | | brave the pebbles of the public beaches. |
| Provence-Alps-Côte D'Azur region. | | | | Here's a round-up of the favourites. |
| | | | |
| The Promenade des Anglais, running alongside | | | | Private Beaches |
| the waters of la Baie des Anges, offers | | | | |
| beautiful ocean views and is also home to | | | | It is easy to distinguish the private beaches |
| some excellent bars and restaurants. A much | | | | from the public ones - they tend to be fenced |
| celebrated walkway along the sea, this is a | | | | off, with orderly sunbeds, flags and waiter |
| great place for a stroll, particularly on | | | | service. A popular choice, they can get |
| Sundays, when bicyclists, skateboarders and | | | | extremely busy during July and August but you |
| dog walkers take to the Prom in force. Pull | | | | can often reserve your sunbeds in advance by |
| up a pew - or "chaise bleue" - and watch the | | | | telephone (the local Office du Tourisme can |
| world go by, this is a great vantage point | | | | provide the numbers for you). The cheapest |
| for contemplating the azure Mediterranean, | | | | option is often to hire a sunbed just for the |
| which stretches as far as the eye can see. | | | | afternoon, but remember this is when the sun |
| | | | is at its hottest. |
| For those seeking a little opulence - and | | | | |
| this is what Nice is all about - why not try | | | | Castel Plage - claims to be Nice's prettiest |
| the palatial Hotel Negresco , built in 1912 | | | | beach, truly a "beautiful place for beautiful |
| to be a landmark of quality, it was listed by | | | | people". It lies at the eastern edge of |
| the government of France as a national | | | | Nice's beaches, boasting a wonderful view of |
| historic building and attracts the wealthiest | | | | the bay and a promenade lined with elegant |
| of clients. The Negresco's now famous pink | | | | palms and artistic sculptures. |
| dome, the work of Gustave Eiffel, stands out | | | | |
| against the blue sky. And those strolling by | | | | Beau Rivage - the private beach of the Hotel |
| should look out for the doormen, bedecked | | | | Beau Rivage. This is your chance to indulge |
| with red-plumed postilion hats, they evoke | | | | with a little four-star pampering "a la |
| days gone by, bringing to mind an | | | | niçoise". |
| 18th-century elite bourgeois household. | | | | |
| | | | Blue Beach - alongside the Promenade des |
| Visitors will find beaches aplenty sweeping | | | | Anglais and surrounded by some of the most |
| the five-kilometre stretch between the end of | | | | prestigious hotels in Nice, this |
| the Promenade des Anglais and the foot of the | | | | child-friendly beach has a small children's |
| castle hill. You'll have the chance to | | | | pool and restaurant. |
| experience a little glamour at one of Nice's | | | | |
| 15 comfortable private beaches, punctuated | | | | The Sporting Beach - just next door to Blue |
| along the Baie des Anges by the public ones. | | | | Beach, the clue is in the name and all your |
| They offer the luxury of sun-loungers, | | | | paragliding needs will be taken care of here. |