The Beautiful French Riviera Beaches

The famous beaches of the French Riviera stretch along the Mediterranean Sea and the coast of France. You can take your pick from the different types of beaches. There are some with sandy shores, some that are pebbled and some beaches are extremely rocky. The Riviera has them all.

For anyone looking to enjoy some sun time on the beach, you need to know that some beaches are private and some are public. The private beaches will cost you more, but you will enjoy more service and amenities for your money.

Renting Sun Loungers

At a private French Riviera beach, you can rent sun loungers for an entire day for around 15€, but you can save some money by only renting for a half day instead. That's what you should expect during the busy holiday season. During the off season, you can usually negotiate the prices for anything down considerably farther. You can sunbathe on your own sun mat or towel, but check beforehand to see if the beach is a pebbly one. It may be uncomfortable with just a towel.

The chairs aren't the only things that will cost you. Sun umbrellas and towels are also available at most private beaches, for another nominal fee. Both will cost around 5€ each for the day, though the towels are quite small. Snacks, bottled water and other drinks are also available, usually more costly than elsewhere. You won't have the option of bringing your own food or drink to a private beach.

Choosing Your Beach

Don't assume that all private beaches are the same either. Each one has its own style and services, so visitors should spend time on a few of them before deciding which is their favorite. Many travelers do have a particular beach, and even a specific place on the beach that they prefer and will return year after year. Regular visitors tend to feel that the high quality of service on the beach is worth the extra expenses.

If you are going to visit any of the private beaches on the Riviera during peak season, it's best that you make a reservation ahead of time. They can get quite busy, though not usually as busy as the cheaper public beaches.

Public Beaches

For those on a budget who wish to avoid the fees of a private beach, there are more than enough public beaches to choose from as well. Be warned that they can be busy, and you'll be more likely to get a chair and a good spot if you arrived by 9am. By 11am it will get extremely hot. Given the strong sun, sunscreen of at least SPF 30 is suggested. Hats, sunglasses and parasols are also a good idea to protect yourself from excessive sun.

Drinks and snacks are usually sold by vendors along the public beaches, but they can be expensive. It's a better idea to bring a small cooler with your own. Some public beaches have washroom facilities, but not all. You might want to check on that before settling down for a morning of sunbathing.

So whether you want the expensive pampering of a private beach, or the cheaper simplicity of a public beach, the French Riviera can suit any traveler.

Bruno Jimenes is the editor of http://www.about-french-riviera.com the comprehensive guide to the beautiful French Riviera coast. More information about the French Riviera is posted at http://www.about-french-riviera.com/french-riviera.html - Copyright: You may freely republish this article, provided the text, author credit, active links and this copyright notice remain intact.