5 quiet beaches on the Cote d’Azur

3 March, 2023

If you have planned a beach holiday to the South of France and are looking for quiet beaches, you can find beautiful quiet beaches that mass tourism has yet to discover. Sometimes you have to make a bit of an effort to get to them, but the views are often breath-taking.

I am going to tell you about five beautiful and quiet beaches on the Cote d’Azur in the South of France. I will also give you tips for campsites near to these beautiful beaches.

• Beach at Calanque d’En-Vau
• Hidden beach by St Tropez
• Plage de La Fosse at Cap Ferrat
• Plage Mala at Cap d’Ail
• Plage Notre Dame at Île de Porquerolles

Challenging walk to Calanque d’En-Vau bij Cassis

The beach at Calanque d’En-Vau is located between the high, sheer cliffs. From this lovely pebble beach, you have a stunning view of the turquoise water between the cliffs. It is truly a beach for nature and walking lovers.

How to get to the beach?

To get to this beautiful beach, you can choose from various walking paths varying from 90 minutes to three and a half hours. means steep-walled inlet. The walk itself is stunning, because you walk along the coast and can enjoy the views. It is a challenging walk due to the steep paths with large boulders and rocks here and there.

I would therefore advise you to put on your hiking shoes and your swimming costume and take plenty of water in your backpack. As it is a pebble beach, you are also best taking water shoes along.

Discover this beach

If you would like to explore this stunning beach at your leisure from a campsite nearby, book a pitch at Camping de Ceyreste which is about 25 km away. If you don’t want to share this beautiful beach with others, make sure you go outside the high season and early in the day. Please note: there is no hospitality present.

Hidden beach by St Tropez

Wandering over the beaches that Brigitte Bardot loved to visit and where the international ‘beau monde’ now love to congregate. That is something you can do on famous beaches located to the southwest of the city. But also, if you are not a famous rapper or artist, you can enjoy the beautiful and quiet beaches at St Tropez. For example, the lovely city beach Plage de La Plonche. This beach mainly gained fame as the backdrop to the film ‘Et Dieu…créa la Femme’ with Brigitte Bardot. The view is picturesque. The small bay offers access to the refreshing sea, and you have a view of St Maxime from the beach.

Walk under the tower

Walk from the old centre, under the tower Tour de Portalet to Plage de La Plonche. The beach is ideal for a morning or evening swim when you are staying around St Tropez. After a morning at the beach, visit the picturesque town centre of this former fishing village its with charming streets, lovely squares and pastel-coloured shops. Or admire the luxurious yachts in the harbour.

Plage de la Fosse by the Cap Ferrat peninsula

The Cap Ferrat peninsula, located between Nice and Monaco, is mainly known for the luxury villas, stunning countryside and lovely walking routes. You can find a small, quiet beach on the west coast, Plage de la Fosse. Don’t expect beach bars with sun loungers, but a lovely pebble beach where you can lie down on a towel and read a book in peace. Or enjoy the breathtaking view of the sea. Sit down in the shade of a tree or cool off under the showers available there.

How to reach the beach?

To reach the beach, you park your car by the harbour and walk to the beach within a few minutes. Keep in mind that the car park can be busier in the weekends. That also applies to the beach.

Walking around the peninsula

From the beach, you can take a walk over the peninsula. It is a lovely way to get to know the peninsula and discover more of the stunning landscape. You can find the routes at the tourist office (5 avenue Denis Séméria – 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.).

Campsite by the sea near Cap Ferrat

Discover Plage Mala after 152 steps at Cap d’Ail

If you are an active holiday-goer and enjoy beautiful beaches too, then Plage Mala is something for you. You can walk down the 152 steps in 15 to 20 minutes. The walk itself is lovely due to the stunning view. When you are at the bottom, you will discover the beach surrounded by cliffs and the crystal-clear water. The clear water is great for snorkeling and swimming. So, take your snorkel with you!

Picnic on the beach

There are two restaurants where you can hire a sun lounger and possibly have something to eat. The prices are a little on the steep side, but you don’t have to eat there so feel free to take your own picnic basket and towels along. Ready for a walk. Walk over the coastal path by the sea to Monaco.

Looking for a campsite near the beaches of the Cote d’Azur?

Search for a lovely campsite in the South of France, right by the sea?

Plage Notre Dame at Île de Porquerolles

If you like sand and sailing, then this is the beach for you. You can reach the beautiful Plage Notre Dame by taking the ferry boat from the port of Hyeres. But when you get to the other side, you are not right on the beach. You can walk to the beach from Porquerolles port harbour, which takes about an hour. Or hire an electric or standard bike and you will be there in about 15-20 minutes.

Picturesque bay

When your walk or bike ride is behind you, you arrive at a picturesque bay with an exceptionally beautiful view of the turquoise water. The clear water is a lovely temperature, and the beach is narrow and expansive. There is plenty of space to throw down your towel and watch the boats. If you are coming here to really enjoy the peace and quiet, I suggest you go in the low season. If you are nearby during the high season, take the first ferry. You will then have the beach almost completely to yourself until the next boat arrives.

Discover the island of Porquerolles

The best way to explore the island is by foot or on a standard or electric bike. Walk to the lighthouse where you have a breathtaking panorama of the whole island, the azure blue sea, the beaches and steep cliffs. If you’d prefer to go by bike, you can go on a bike tour past vineyards and olive and fruit trees in the hinterland. The village of Porquerolles has typical Provencal houses and is a paradise for those who love the countryside and peace and quiet.

Campsites in the vicinity of the island of Porquerolles

Do you want more inspiration for a beach holiday?

If you are not going to the South of France this year, but to Portugal, read our blog about the five most beautiful beaches in Portugal. If you’d rather go to Croatia this summer, you will find many beautiful beaches there too. We have made a list of the eight most beautiful beaches in Croatia.

Travel in the low season at a discount

If you would like to enjoy these beautiful beaches in peace, consider going camping in the low season. You will often have the beaches all to yourself. And if you are going camping in the low season, it is of course great to do that at an affordable price with CampingCard ACSI. You can get up to 60% discount on overnight stays. Read more about the benefits of CampingCard ACSI.

Tips?

If you have a good tip for a quiet beach in the South of France, please let us know below.