Is the nicest beach in Villefranche, Nice or Cannes?

[flynsail]

My family of four, including two teenagers, will be in Villefranche for a day off a cruise ship next July. I would love to go to Eze but my husband and kids just want to go to a beach for a few hours where they can swim, and then have lunch and browse around some shops. Should we stay in Villefranche, or take a train or bus to Nice or Cannes?

[Hlitner]

My family of four, including two teenagers, will be in Villefranche for a day off a cruise ship next July. I would love to go to Eze but my husband and kids just want to go to a beach for a few hours where they can swim, and then have lunch and browse around some shops. Should we stay in Villefranche, or take a train or bus to Nice or Cannes?

 

We have always been underwhelmed by the quality of most Riviera beaches...many of which are full of pebbles and or/rocks and would not attract anyone in other parts of the world where they have really good sandy beaches. That being said, the beach in Villefranche is certainly the most convenient and you might actually find a sandy patch. One would certainly want to have water shoes. As to Nice, it is a beach of rocks and pebbles with some sand. Nice is nice...but its beach is not! Cannes actually has a real sandy beach and its free! This particular beach (Plage du Midi)is just past the marina in the old port (close to the cruise ship tender pier) and offers the advantage of being close to some nice cafes. But, keep in mind that it takes about 35 min to get to Cannes (you would want to go to the main station (ville) and it is about a 25 min walk from the train station to that particular beach (it is a nice walk that takes you through the best parts of Cannes). The most famous beach in Cannes (this is the one in front of the Carlton and other high priced hotels) is supposed to be public, but in actuality it is operated like multiple private beaches with pretty hefty fees required to rent a lounger.

 

Hank

[flynsail]

Thank you Hank, I guess we have a little while to decide.