Summer on the French Riviera

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