What are the most trendy seaside resorts on the French Riviera?

Discovering the trendy places of the French Riviera is part of the art of living for some. Searching for lively and festive places as well as iconic spots where young people gather is even the driving force for many people!

Pampelonne: the most iconic and trendy beach of the French Riviera

Pampelone private beach side

The northern area of Pampelonne at the level of the Tahiti beach: the most trendy beaches

One of the trendiest places on the French Riviera during the day, it goes without saying, is the Pampelonne beach. We are far from the Ibiza vibe. The atmosphere on this beach in Ramatuelle is much more chic. All necessary comforts await the fortunate: sun loungers, parasols, refreshments, etc. This 4.5 kilometer long beach, considered a "remarkable natural space", is indeed one of the most beautiful. The vessels anchoring in this magnificent bay are perfect symbols of the luxury that has been invited into this small paradise. This public beach hosts a considerable number of visitors in the summer to enjoy all kinds of pleasures: relax, sunbathe, swim but also eat.

Free beach of Pampelonne in St Tropez

Pampelonne in one of the free zones

There are many private beaches some of which have prohibitive rates where you can enjoy a bottle of champagne for more than 10,000 €! There are also totally public areas, only the parking being chargeable.

To enjoy the calm, it is recommended to come early in the morning.

St Tropez on the port

St Tropez port side

At night, the neighboring town of Ramatuelle, Saint-Tropez, takes over by offering festive evenings one after the other. After a beautiful day at the beach, nothing better than joining the most trendy places of this must-see destination. From the casino (outside St Tropez, at Sainte-Maxime or Cavalaire) to concerts and festivals, one can only be carried away by this atmosphere that invites to dance until the end of the night, especially in the frenzied nightclubs (it is often difficult to enter the most prestigious establishments). The fireworks, each more magical than the last, should not be missed. Added to the beauty of the place, these explosions of multicolored sparks delight young and old. During the day, the places to be are the Café des Arts and the Café Sénéquier.

General view of St Tropez

St Tropez: a village side

Cannes: the most luxurious of the French Riviera

Cannes: a magnificent bay with sandy beaches

Cannes: sandy beach and its famous croisette

Let's now go to another emblematic city of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Cannes, especially famous for its Croisette and its film festival, is a real paradise on earth. Everything on this "path of the small cross" is breathtaking: the Croisette beach (largely privatized), the architecture, the luxury shops, its palaces on the seaside but also the strollers. It is indeed not uncommon to meet stars there.

Cannes Film Festival Palace with its red stairs

The stairs of the Cannes Film Festival Palace during the film festival

A detour to the Palais des Congrès and its famous red stairs, a cult place in the city, is a must. The palaces, sumptuous traditional monuments full of history, also make the reputation of this charming destination.

Juan les Pins: family summer atmosphere

Juan les Pins: animation in summer in front of the Pam Pam

Animation in front of the Pam Pam of Juan les Pins in summer

Further along, the town of Juan-les-Pins, located in the seaside resort of Antibes, invites us to enjoy a more festive atmosphere. Its numerous nightclubs are the delight of the local youth. The picture would be perfect if the mayor had not decided to limit the opening hours of nightclubs, closing at 2:30 in the morning. Bars, restaurants, theaters, and casinos also promise great evenings. It's a shame that the beaches of Juan les Pins are heavily occupied by private establishments... however, several areas are expected to comply with the law from the 2018 season onwards.

Nice: a mix of culture, entertainment, and beaches

Place Masséna in Nice

Place Masséna in Nice

Let's finish with Nice which, even if it is sometimes seen as a retirees' town, is primarily a university city. The old Nice has many pubs with very affordable prices. This is extremely rare on the French Riviera. It is therefore a great destination for people on a tight budget. Students like to gather here for summer breaks.

Nice, its beach and its promenade des Anglais

The magnificent bay of Nice with its promenade des Anglais and its vast pebble beach

On the flip side, we are far from the white sandy beaches. Large pebbles, while not as charming, face the sea, but we are still in an absolutely idyllic landscape. Moreover, the cultural offer is significant and even one of the most important for a seaside resort.

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