Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Secluded paradise: unveiling the French Riviera’s top 5 hidden beaches
Where to find the French Riviera’s best hidden beaches
There’s a French Riviera the guidebooks skip over – a Riviera that trades the paparazzi flash for sun-warmed stones, pine needles and the kind of hush you notice only when you finally sit still. That’s the Côte d’Azur we love coming back to. The best beaches in the French Riviera aren’t always the ones you see on Instagram. Some ask you to wind through back lanes, climb a staircase or follow a footpath with no signpost except the salt in the air. That’s part of the adventure. So, if you’re ready to swap jet-set crowds for sand between your toes and the slow pace of summer, here are our top picks for wild, beautiful hidden beaches where the crowds are non-existent.
Top photography courtesy of María de la O
01
Plage de la Petite Afrique
On the eastern curve of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Plage de la Petite Afrique feels like a well-kept secret passed between friends. Framed by steep, green hills and a promenade lined with tamarisk and palm, this sheltered bay offers rare peace within easy reach of Nice. Locals love its long crescent of soft sand, gentle shelf into turquoise and those mornings when the only footprints belong to gulls. There’s just enough infrastructure to keep it comfortable – showers, lifeguards in season and a pair of low-key snack kiosks. But the real draw is the natural setting – rocky outcrops at either end and a dramatic backdrop of villas set high above. For a Riviera beach, it’s surprisingly unshowy.
Plage de la Petite Afrique
15 Bd D'alsace-lorraine
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
France
Photography courtesy of Baia Bella
02
Plage d’Abel Ballif
Set beneath the ochre cliffs of Saint-Raphaël’s Corniche d’Or, Plage d’Abel Ballif feels more like a locals’ hangout than a beach you’ll stumble on by chance. It’s a narrow cove with coarse, reddish sand and a scattering of sunbathers who’ve made the short descent from the coastal road above. There’s no promenade, no café, and no lifeguard – just the sound of water lapping at concrete sea defences and the occasional train rumbling overhead. The beach faces southeast, catching soft morning light and offering good shelter from the Mistral. Access is via a short staircase near a lay-by, and while it’s not the most comfortable spot for long afternoons, it’s ideal for a quick swim or quiet pause en route along the scenic coastline.
Plage d’Abel Ballif
Rte des Calanques
Saint-Raphaël
France
Photography courtesy of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourisme
03
Plage Pampelonne
If you’ve only heard about Pampelonne as Saint-Tropez’s see-and-be-seen beach, the wild side is a revelation. Follow the coastline away from the music and rosé-soaked loungers and you’ll hit a stretch where the wind runs free and the dunes look the same as they did decades ago. We gravitate to the quieter Ramatuelle side, near L’Epi and the Cap Taillat reserve, where the sand is soft and the atmosphere is blissfully stripped-back. There’s room to roam, even in peak season and the crowd is more laid-back than you’d expect. Off-season, you might share the entire beach with just a handful of locals and wandering dogs. If you walk far enough, you’ll discover wildflowers in spring and wilder seas in autumn.
Plage Pampelonne
Route de l'Epi-Pampelonne
Ramatuelle
France
Photography courtesy of La Tartane Hotel
04
Plage de Gigaro
Head west along the coast and you’ll find Plage de Gigaro – where the Massif des Maures forest spills towards a sweep of golden sand and salty air feels like a tonic. Part of the protected Domaine du Cap Lardier, Plage de Gigaro is one of those beaches that seems to go on forever. There’s a natural, easygoing energy here, especially early in the morning when the only sound is the surf and the call of cormorants. A handful of casual restaurants sit just above the sand, serving everything from grilled fish to Provençal salads. But let’s be honest, you’re here for the nature – fragrant scrub, winding coastal trails and hidden coves around every headland. You’ll see families building sandcastles, regulars reading in faded chairs and a few solitary souls who come for the hush.
Plage de Gigaro
1242 Boulevard de Gigaro
La Croix-Valmer
France
Photography courtesy of La Croix-Valmer Tourisme
05
Plage de la Mala
If you’re seeking drama, Plage de la Mala has it in spades. Wedged beneath soaring cliffs at Cap d’Ail’s southern edge, this beach is accessed via a zigzagging staircase or by boat – a journey that adds to its sense of seclusion. The beach itself is a mix of fine sand and polished pebbles, with emerald water that stays beautifully clear all summer. There’s a timeless, Riviera-glam energy here (think striped umbrellas and the distant tinkle of glasses from La Réserve de la Mala restaurant). But there are also wild edges – the cliffside path, rocky outcrops and a little network of secret coves waiting just beyond the main stretch. By late afternoon, the cliffs throw long shadows and everything goes quiet except the rhythm of the waves – a reminder that even on the Côte d’Azur, solitude is still possible, if you know where to look.
Plage de la Mala
Cap-d'Ail
France
Photography courtesy of My Sunbed
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