Paloma Beach

[Patriots68]

HI all, we are going to be in Villefranche in mid June on RCL and would like to spend part of a day at a beach. Has anyone done Paloma from here, it keeps poping up in my searches as the best beach. Or does anyone have any other recommendations

[Hlitner]

We actually walked by Paloma (a few years ago) and it was a pretty nice beach in a region that does not have many nice beaches. However it was very crowded. You are probably aware it is a private beach and I believe it now costs about 25€ per person which does get you a chair. If you love long walks it is about a 3 miles hike from the tender pier in Villefranche. Otherwise you can take the bus (Ligne d'Azur) which I think is the number 81. Not sure of the exact bus stop within Villefranche (just ask when you get ashore) but you will have to walk about 10 min to get to any of the local bus stops. Keep in mind that in mid June, the water can still a be a bit chilly.

 

Hank

[Patriots68]

Thanks for the info Hank, do you know anything about the beaches near Beaulieu, we're just really looking for a place to rent a few chairs and hang out for a couple of hours and don't want to spend too long on a bus to get there.

[Hlitner]

Thanks for the info Hank, do you know anything about the beaches near Beaulieu, we're just really looking for a place to rent a few chairs and hang out for a couple of hours and don't want to spend too long on a bus to get there.

 

We have never been on either of their beaches...although we have some English friends that love Beaulieu. On the other hand, we learned a long time ago not to rely on Europeans (or Brits) when it comes to rating beaches. Perhaps some other regular posters (Marazul....where are you?) will comment on Beaulieu.

 

Just keep in mind you are talking about a part of the Riviera where Europeans will rave about beaches with course sand and pebbles. Europeans are a funny lot in that they will spend their day on a beach of pebbles and rocks and then tell you about their fabulous beaches. Yes, there are some terrific beaches in Europe but we have been underwhelmed by the beaches of the Riviera. I think we have been spoiled by Kiawah Island, SC...where we can walk for nearly 10 miles on a sandy beach...and not even need any footwear.

 

Hank

Edited April 20, 2017 by Hlitner

[marazul]

Hi Hank, right here.;)

 

Paloma Beach is in St Jean-Cap Ferrat at the opposite side of Villefranche. And it is 25 euros pp to get chairs. I don't know if they charge extra for the umbrella. It does have the "rich and famous" reputation, although the rich and famous stay at their own villas. You will need a taxi to get there although public buses might get you near as far as the port.

 

We like the Plage de Passable which is on the Villefranche side of Cap Ferrat. (You can walk to it if you like a good hike.) Half of Passable is a free beach where you sit on your own towels, bring your picnic, etc. The other half has a restaurant that rents chairs, etc. We always bring our towels and go for a swim so I don't know how much they charge. Here is the map:

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=plages+saint+jean+cap+ferrat&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS730US730&oq=plages+saint+jean+cap+ferrat&aqs=chrome..69i57.12551j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=plages+saint+jean+cap+ferrat&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=43689939,7333762,794&tbm=lcl&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!3sEAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:!1m3!1d2813.945377847922!2d7.347771467767302!3d43.68296123474934!3m2!1i1102!2i749!4f13.1;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!3sEAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2

 

And guess what, the restaurant has a website!!! http://plage-de-passable.com/white/home.html

 

There are a couple more beaches in Cap Ferrat, but they are harder to get to and you need to know where to get in. And they don't have any services. They are more for the residents.

 

The Beaulieu beach is nice too. It is front of the Hotel Royal Riviera. I have walked past it many times, but haven't been there. There is a restaurant with beach chairs and a free public beach as well. (Paloma also has free sections for the hoi polloi)

 

If the OP is looking for beaches right near the tender docks at Villefranche, there are a couple below the railroad station. There are two restaurants (Delibo and Voile Bleu) and it does have very nice views if you are looking out to sea! That would be real easy to get to on foot.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Delibo+Les+Bains+Plage+Restaurant/@43.7066499,7.3174388,471m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x12cddb664f4261d5:0xf68784c51fc708c1!2sPaloma+Beach!3b1!8m2!3d43.6860702!4d7.3422459!3m4!1s0x0:0x4bb5c538285716cf!8m2!3d43.7068194!4d7.3158444?hl=en

 

Many of the internet ratings of beaches have much to do with how fancy is the restaurant and their services, not so much with the beach itself. The beaches are all pebbly or gritty sand, the water is nice. The views are great.

 

For large sandy beaches you need to go to Juan-les-Pins, Cannes or Saint-Tropez.

[Hlitner]

Knew you would help out :). For really LARGE sandy beaches you need to come to the USA. Outside of Greece we have never been overly impressed with European beaches.

 

Hank

[marazul]

:D You always find me!

 

PS- I just noticed the OP wants to go to a beach nearby for a couple of hours and no public transport. That means the beaches near the train station. They have spectacular views of Cap Ferrat and Villefranche.

[Patriots68]

Knew you would help out :). For really LARGE sandy beaches you need to come to the USA. Outside of Greece we have never been overly impressed with European beaches.

 

 

We're not looking for a large Sandy beach just someplace to spend a few hours, we avoided the Caribbean because we would rather do something a little more interesting for our honeymoon. I appreciate all the help

[Patriots68]

Hi Hank, right here.;)

 

Paloma Beach is in St Jean-Cap Ferrat at the opposite side of Villefranche. And it is 25 euros pp to get chairs. I don't know if they charge extra for the umbrella. It does have the "rich and famous" reputation, although the rich and famous stay at their own villas. You will need a taxi to get there although public buses might get you near as far as the port.

 

We like the Plage de Passable which is on the Villefranche side of Cap Ferrat. (You can walk to it if you like a good hike.) Half of Passable is a free beach where you sit on your own towels, bring your picnic, etc. The other half has a restaurant that rents chairs, etc. We always bring our towels and go for a swim so I don't know how much they charge. Here is the map:

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=plages+saint+jean+cap+ferrat&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS730US730&oq=plages+saint+jean+cap+ferrat&aqs=chrome..69i57.12551j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=plages+saint+jean+cap+ferrat&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=43689939,7333762,794&tbm=lcl&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!3sEAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:!1m3!1d2813.945377847922!2d7.347771467767302!3d43.68296123474934!3m2!1i1102!2i749!4f13.1;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!3sEAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2

 

And guess what, the restaurant has a website!!! http://plage-de-passable.com/white/home.html

 

There are a couple more beaches in Cap Ferrat, but they are harder to get to and you need to know where to get in. And they don't have any services. They are more for the residents.

 

The Beaulieu beach is nice too. It is front of the Hotel Royal Riviera. I have walked past it many times, but haven't been there. There is a restaurant with beach chairs and a free public beach as well. (Paloma also has free sections for the hoi polloi)

 

If the OP is looking for beaches right near the tender docks at Villefranche, there are a couple below the railroad station. There are two restaurants (Delibo and Voile Bleu) and it does have very nice views if you are looking out to sea! That would be real easy to get to on foot.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Delibo+Les+Bains+Plage+Restaurant/@43.7066499,7.3174388,471m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x12cddb664f4261d5:0xf68784c51fc708c1!2sPaloma+Beach!3b1!8m2!3d43.6860702!4d7.3422459!3m4!1s0x0:0x4bb5c538285716cf!8m2!3d43.7068194!4d7.3158444?hl=en

 

Many of the internet ratings of beaches have much to do with how fancy is the restaurant and their services, not so much with the beach itself. The beaches are all pebbly or gritty sand, the water is nice. The views are great.

 

For large sandy beaches you need to go to Juan-les-Pins, Cannes or Saint-Tropez.

 

RCCL has an excursion, just looks like a transfer to me, to Juan-les-pins but it says the ride is two hours each way, maps says 45 minstrel what am I missing?

[Bobal]

Knew you would help out :). For really LARGE sandy beaches you need to come to the USA. Outside of Greece we have never been overly impressed with European beaches.

 

Hank

 

You've never been to Portugal then?

[marazul]

RCCL has an excursion, just looks like a transfer to me, to Juan-les-pins but it says the ride is two hours each way, maps says 45 minstrel what am I missing?

 

It should not be more than one hour away, even factoring normal traffic if they take the shore route. But really, taking the Voie Rapide through Nice and then the Autoroute should go fast enough.

 

Then again, the traffic can be horrendous from time to time, but allowing two hours would be extreme.

Edited April 21, 2017 by marazul

[Hlitner]

You've never been to Portugal then?

 

ARGH! Knew somebody would bring up Portugal (or even Spain). But yes, we have spent our share of time on the beach at Cascais and also walked some of the beaches of the Algarve. So I guess I need to qualify my prior remark and specify the Riviera. DW also reminded me of how much we enjoyed the beach in Nerja.

 

Hank

[marazul]

You've never been to Portugal then?

Nice sandy beaches and cold Atlantic waters. :(