Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer beach, France

Plage des Marinières is the main beach of Villefranche-sur-Mer, a small seaside town on the French Riviera between Nice and Monaco. The beach lies in a beautiful bay with deep blue water, one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. It has fine sand and small pebbles, and the water is clear and usually calm. From the beach there is a lovely view of the colourful houses of the old town, which climb up the hillside around the bay.

What to See

The beach is good for swimming and relaxing, with views of the bay, sailing boats and sometimes large cruise ships at anchor. A short walk along the water leads to the old town of Villefranche, with narrow streets, small squares and the Rue Obscure, a covered medieval street. On the waterfront stands the Saint-Pierre Chapel, decorated by the artist Jean Cocteau. Above the port is the Citadel, a 16th-century fortress that now houses small museums and the town hall. Across the bay is the green Cap Ferrat peninsula, with walking paths and grand villas.

How to Get There and Practical Information

Villefranche-sur-Mer is about 10 minutes by train from Nice and 15 minutes from Monaco. The railway station is right above the beach, which makes it very easy to reach. There are also buses along the coast road. The beach is free, and sunbeds can be rented in summer. Parking in the town is limited, so the train is the best option. The beach is busy in July and August, so come early in the day.