Menton beach, France

Menton is the last town on the French Riviera before the Italian border, set between the Mediterranean and the mountains. Its sheltered position gives it one of the mildest climates on the coast. The town beaches line the Baie du Soleil west of the old town, along the Promenade du Soleil, and the Baie de Garavan to the east. Most of them are free public beaches, with a few private beach clubs where sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented.

The beaches are mainly pebbles or fine gravel, with a few sandier stretches near the old town. The water is clear and in places gets deep quickly. The main public beaches are supervised by lifeguards during the summer season, and the sea is warmest in July and August, when it often reaches 24–26 °C. Showers, toilets, cafés and restaurants are spread along the promenade.

Plage du Borrigo

Plage du Borrigo begins just west of the Casino and runs along the Promenade du Soleil towards Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. It is a wide public beach of medium-sized pebbles with free access. The seabed drops fairly quickly, which suits swimmers more than small children. It is usually less crowded than the beaches by the old town, and showers and cafés are close by on the promenade.

Plage de Fossan

Plage de Fossan lies at the eastern end of the Promenade du Soleil, in front of the Esplanade Francis Palmero and close to the old port, the Jean Cocteau museum and the old town. It is a free public beach of small pebbles, designated non-smoking and supervised by lifeguards in summer, with a children’s play garden nearby. The seabed slopes more steeply here than at Plage des Sablettes on the other side of the old port.

Plage des Sablettes and Plage Rondelli

East of the old port, Plage des Sablettes stretches below the colourful houses of the old town. Its mix of sand and fine gravel and its gentle slope make it the most popular beach for families. Further east, towards Garavan harbour and the Italian border, Plage Rondelli is a small, quieter cove with a sandy public section.

Western beaches and beach clubs

Towards Carnolès and the border with Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the beaches become quieter and more residential. This stretch also has several private beach clubs, where sun loungers, umbrellas and lunch are available for a fee that varies by club and season. Together, the public and private beaches form an almost continuous seafront that defines Menton as a Mediterranean resort.