Côte d'Azur

No, Karen. Not that beach.

I was there at the Cité Université studying French. In the mornings lessons, in the afternoon beach or trips in the neighbourhood.

We went to a nice small non-name beach and could even bring our lunch pack we were allowed to eat at the restaurant provided we bought the beverages there.
Basically, that beach lived on the students. We also had to pay for the mattresses and the umbrellas, of course. I still remember that I run out of money after three weeks and my parents had to send me some more.

The way down to that beach was long and up even more painful (lots of steep stairs).
But then, I can't remember having put on one single pound during that month.

I don't think, that club was there at that time nor the Marriott. But then, there wasn't much in Cap d'Ail in those times anyway. We would usually head for Nice (by public bus).
PS: We did not even go topless then. It was not yet a thing to do.

Boy -- you can say that again ...
The entire area is akin to a parking lot.

......and yes, I agree with Ursula, despite the diversity, there are nicer beaches away from the "chic" areas.

Ursula -- Cap D'Ail -- that where the (in)famous swinging naturaliste club is. Were you there?


.. and yes, I find the areas expensive too.

Ursula, the charges only apply if you go to a paying beach. Every other beach is a free beach. As a matter of fact they do not even have mattrasses or umbrellas to rent. All they have is an outside shower and a toilet (you can use this to change if you want.) Many people do bring a mattrasses (inflatable?). As for the paying beaches, if your hotel is clos by, many hotels offer coupons for free or reduced price beach admissions to one of the paying beaches.

As for the area and the beaches they are strictly personal preferences, and you have the whole Cote d'Azur to chose from. Each one is different and has it's own characteristics. This is one nice thing about the Cote d'Azur. One more thing, on the Mediterrenian beaches, the difference between the low and high tide is insignificant, and the water does not move away from you in a couple of hours, like on the Atlantic beaches (Deauville, etc.)

BP Chuck

Just keep in mind, that a day at the beach can be pretty expensive. Thinking of the mattresses and umbrellas you may want (or have) to rent. And I don't even want to think of what they charge now for a tiny bottle of Perrier.

I haven't been to the Côte for years, but my extented stays in Cap d'Ail (four weeks), Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (four weeks), Cap d'Antibes (three weeks) were on the expensive side, at least compared to my wallet at that time.

I wasn't all that crazy about the beach in Cannes and even less in Nice. If ever should return to that particular part of France, I'd go with the Saint-Raphael/Cassis area. Also, I'd avoid the month of August for sure. Traffic can be pain at that moment, just like the crowds.

Al you aree complertelly correct aboutr the sand in Cannes (and amy other places) and the pebbles (1-3" on the average). Much depens on whiich you prefer, The sand is easier to walk on, but much sticks to you until you take a shower (preferably at your hotel, and the pebbles are a bit harder to walk on (many people prefer sandals or othe similar foot wear on the beaches).

Just a note for beach lovers....In Nice the beaches are pebbles(some could be called rocks) and in Cannes the beaches are wonderful golden sand. Take your pick. Chuck is right...while the Cote D'Azur has a rep for being classy it is very affordable. If staying for a while it is wonderful to rent a car with so much to offer especially in the small towns overlooking the coast.

Which one? Cannes and St.Tropez are two cities, and quite different from each other.

BP Chuck

cannes and st tropez is very nice i love this city

Ursula, these articles are quite interesting and relevant, but many visitors (tourists?) to the Cote d'Azur do not know that it can also be quite affordable. You actually have to realize that in general, let us say in August, you can enjoy a vacation for considerably less than in Paris. I found that even 4**** hotels in Nice, for example, cost considerably less than an equivalent hotel in Paris. The same applies also to many restaurants. Even things like enjoying the beaches can be very reasonable, as the beaches in Nice or cannes are broken up into small sections, with every other one free (no addmission fee at all), and you are not prevented to walk over to the paying beaches and enjoy many of the things (such as bars, restaurants and even things like parasailing) at their regular charges. Naturally there are many places that do not cater to the "economy tourists". I may be lucky, but I enjoyed the Cote d'Azur (mainly Nice and Cannes) maybe 10 or 12 times and was never diappointed.

BP Chuck

Here are two pretty good articles about what's doing the Côte d'Azur in the summer months.

http://travel.independent.co.uk/europe/med...sp?story=539686

And this one 'Far from the madding crowd'.
http://travel.independent.co.uk/europe/med...sp?story=539688