Plage de la Mariniere
Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
One of the best-loved public beaches between Nice and Cap Ferrat, the Plage de la Marinière is an arc of sand that stretches around the bay opposite Villefranche-sur-Mer. While it’s often deemed a fine-pebble beach, the ground feels more like sand—especially at its furthest end, away from town. It's popular with families seeking bucket-and-sand fun, shallow water, and easy access.
The basics
Except for one private beach club, most of Plage de la Marinière is free—just bring a towel and maybe an umbrella for shade. While the summer vacation months and hot weekends can get busy, there’s ample space for sunbathing, beach games, or strolls most of the time. At the end of the beach closest to town, you can find kiosks for water sports, such as stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.
Things to know before you go
The beach suits younger children as the water stays fairly shallow for around 30 feet (10 meters) before gradually getting deeper.
Lifeguards are on duty in July and August.
Jellyfish are sometimes spotted in the area, but the beach has an anti-jellyfish net.
There are public restrooms and showers at the beach.
There are steps down to the beach, so people with mobility issues may find access tricky.
How to get there
Plage de la Marinière is only a few steps from the Villefranche-sur-Mer train station, which offers trains from both Nice and Italy. If you’re driving, you’ll find a paid parking lot between the beach and the station, with space for around 400 cars. By foot from Villefranche-sur-Mer old town, the walk is around 10 minutes along the waterfront.
When to get there
This public beach is open year-round, but lifeguards are only on duty in the peak summer months of July and August. If you’re not restricted on vacation dates, September is a great time to visit as fewer people are around, and the water is warm enough for bathing.
Dinner at the Quai de l’Amiral Courbet
When you’ve had your fill of beach time and are ready to eat, walk back towards Villefranche-sur-Mer’s old town where the Quai de l’Amiral Courbet awaits. Restaurants and traditional bistros where lobster and other seafood dishes reign supreme line this waterfront spot, often called “the quay” by English-speaking visitors.
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