Summer on the French Riviera

A top French tourist resort, Nice is located in southern France on the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Genoa in the Provence-Alps-Côte D'Azur region.

The Promenade des Anglais, running alongside the waters of la Baie des Anges, offers beautiful ocean views and is also home to some excellent bars and restaurants. A much celebrated walkway along the sea, this is a great place for a stroll, particularly on Sundays, when bicyclists, skateboarders and dog walkers take to the Prom in force. Pull up a pew - or “chaise bleue” - and watch the world go by, this is a great vantage point for contemplating the azure Mediterranean, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

For those seeking a little opulence - and this is what Nice is all about - why not try the palatial Hotel Negresco , built in 1912 to be a landmark of quality, it was listed by the government of France as a national historic building and attracts the wealthiest of clients. The Negresco's now famous pink dome, the work of Gustave Eiffel, stands out against the blue sky. And those strolling by should look out for the doormen, bedecked with red-plumed postilion hats, they evoke days gone by, bringing to mind an 18th-century elite bourgeois household.

Visitors will find beaches aplenty sweeping the five-kilometre stretch between the end of the Promenade des Anglais and the foot of the castle hill. You'll have the chance to experience a little glamour at one of Nice's 15 comfortable private beaches, punctuated along the Baie des Anges by the public ones. They offer the luxury of sun-loungers, parasols and towels for rent, while those wishing for a more authentic experience can brave the pebbles of the public beaches. Here's a round-up of the favourites.

Private Beaches

It is easy to distinguish the private beaches from the public ones - they tend to be fenced off, with orderly sunbeds, flags and waiter service. A popular choice, they can get extremely busy during July and August but you can often reserve your sunbeds in advance by telephone (the local Office du Tourisme can provide the numbers for you). The cheapest option is often to hire a sunbed just for the afternoon, but remember this is when the sun is at its hottest.

Castel Plage - claims to be Nice's prettiest beach, truly a “beautiful place for beautiful people”. It lies at the eastern edge of Nice’s beaches, boasting a wonderful view of the bay and a promenade lined with elegant palms and artistic sculptures.

Beau Rivage - the private beach of the Hotel Beau Rivage. This is your chance to indulge with a little four-star pampering “a la niçoise”.

Blue Beach - alongside the Promenade des Anglais and surrounded by some of the most prestigious hotels in Nice, this child-friendly beach has a small children's pool and restaurant.

The Sporting Beach - just next door to Blue Beach, the clue is in the name and all your paragliding needs will be taken care of here.

Public Beaches

Plage Publique de Beau Rivage - a free beach with good facilities so no wonder it gets busy! Get there early to grab a good spot.

La Reserve - a small beach to the east of the harbour, beside the Nice Sailing Club