Looking for the best beach clubs in the French Riviera? Paloma Beach in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is one of the most beautiful beach clubs on the coast!
Growing up in the south of France was truly a special experience and I love going back to visit in the summer when I can! Each time I visit, I try to check out new places… including trying out new beach clubs.
Because spending the day at a beach club is a must on the French Riviera!
On my most recent trip to the Côte d’Azur, I visited Paloma Beach for the first time and thought it one of the more unique beach club locations in the area.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Paloma Beach in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat!
About Paloma Beach
Paloma Beach is a beautiful beach located in the south of France, specifically in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is a small peninsula in the French Riviera.
The Cap Ferrat peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful villas in the Cote d’Azur, including the Villa Ephussi de Rothschild, as well as the famed Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat. Throughout the summer, the sea surrounding the peninsula is a popular place to spot luxury yachts from all over the world.
Paloma Beach is a rocky beach with both a public area and the Paloma Beach club and restaurant.
Paloma Beach is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and stunning views. The beach overlooks the sparkling bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the adjacent mountain range – a very unique setting on this coastline!
It truly is one of the most spectacular views from any beach club in the south of France.
How to Get to Paloma Beach
Tucked away on the Cap Ferrat peninsula between Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, there are a few ways to get to Paloma Beach.
By Car
Driving to Paloma Beach was very easy! We drove from Nice which took about 20 minutes and we were able to find a street parking spot about a block away from the beach. Be aware that street parking can be tight so it’s best to go with a small car and be prepared to parallel park.
If you have reservations at Paloma Beach, you can coordinate a ride on their calessino shuttle to pick you up from one of the public parking lots on the peninsula!
By Bus
From Nice, you can take bus number 81 to the port of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and use the walking path to reach the beach club in about 10 minutes. While the bus takes about an hour, there are some lovely views along the way.
By Train
It’s possible to take the train to either Villefranche-sur-Mer or Beaulieu sur Mer and then hop on the bus number 15 to take you to Saint-Jean-Capt-Ferrat. This could save some time (vs. taking the bus the entire route) depending on where you’re coming from.
Paloma Beach Club
The beach club at Paloma Beach offers sun loungers and beds, as well as towels and umbrellas on a section of private beach.
It’s open every day during the high season from May through the end of September making it an ideal destination in the summer months.
Although, I visited in late September and felt like it was a good time to visit as the weather was still very warm but it wasn’t overly crowded.
The place has a chic and buzzy vibe and it’s definitely one of the most popular beach clubs in the area! As such, it’s important to make a reservation for loungers at the beach club in advance, especially during summer season and on weekends.
I went without a reservation and got super lucky when they had a last minute cancellation. Definitely don’t make my mistake — call to make a reservation in advance to guarantee your day at the beach club!
While at the beach club, guests can order food and drinks from the restaurant directly to their sun loungers.
Because what’s better than a glass of rosé on the beach?
Along with swimming and sunbathing, the beach club offers stand-up paddle board rentals for €15 for a half hour or €25 for an hour. In addition, they can set up water sports like jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing or hydro-foil through their partner, Cap Ferrat WaterSport. And note that a lifeguard is also on duty during the high season!
Pro Tip: consider packing water shoes as the beach is made up of fine pebbles that can get quite hot in the summer.
Pricing
Is Paloma Beach free? The public area of the beach is free to visit! So, if you want to bring your bath towels, umbrella and pack a picnic, it’s the perfect beach spot to do so.
On the other hand, the Paloma Beach Club offers sun loungers for €50 per day, €7 for an umbrella and €8 for a towel. Private cabins are available for €15 for the day.
And don’t fret about having all cash on hand because they accept credit card as well!
Paloma Beach Club Restaurant
You know how some restaurants have such an incredible view or location that they don’t need to put much effort into their food or service? Well, that’s not the case at Paloma Beach restaurant!
The restaurant has an upscale yet beachy feel to it and the menu features Mediterranean cuisine like fresh seafood, salads and pastas. There are also some premium items like fresh truffle that you can add on.
I was incredibly impressed by my goat cheese salad (Salade de Chêvre Chaud) and ceviche. Not only was the fish very fresh but the flavors used were really unique and super delicious!
Our group also really enjoyed the risotto which seemed to be a very popular dish there.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
If you’re planning a visit to Paloma Beach, why not stop at Villefranche-sur-Mer on the way? Just 10 minutes away is this charming and colorful town along the sea!
One of the highlights of Villefranche-sur-Mer is its stunning bay, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The bay is surrounded by hills and dotted with colorful buildings, creating a picture-perfect setting for swimming, sunbathing, and boating.
And, it’s a different viewpoint from Paloma Beach since it’s on the other side of the St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula!
The Old Town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is known for its narrow streets, colorful houses, and lively squares. Visitors can explore the town’s historic sites, such as the 16th-century Saint Elme Citadel and the Chapel of Saint-Pierre, which dates back to the 14th century.
Where to Stay in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat & Villefrance-sur-Mer
Looking for the best hotels in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefrance-sur-Mer? Here are some of my top picks!
- Hotel La Fiancée du Pirate: Overlooks the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, and features a swimming pool and comfortable rooms.
- Welcome Hotel: Located in Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Welcome Hotel has a prime location and sea views at a reasonable price point.
- Hotel Royal Riviera: We stopped here for lunch and loved the patio, pool area, and sea views. Definitely a glamorous and luxurious vibe!
- Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat: This resort is an icon of Cap Ferrat! It’s a Four Seasons property and has all the luxurious amenities and five star service that one would expect from them.
Overall, Paloma Beach is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the French Riviera. Its stunning scenery, clear waters, and delicious seafood make it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean. And, it’s now a favorite beach club of mine to visit in the south of France!
Hi, how would you get back to Beaulieu Sur Mer from Paloma beach by taking the bus and then train back to nice?? I was wondering what time was the last stop bus 15 made of it doesn’t matter? Thank you.
Hi there what exactly are the 15euro cabins like?
I didn’t use a private cabin while I was there but I believe this is a locker where you can store stuff for the day.
Hi! We are going to Paloma beach in September! Should I go ahead and make reservations for our Lou get? Is the only way to do it call? Hopefully they speak a little English!? Thank you!?
Hi Alise,
Yep, for sunbeds, I would call and make a reservation (+33 4 93 01 64 71) as they can get quite busy! They do speak English 🙂
They don’t take reservations for lunch at the restaurant but you can walk-in and put your name down (12 – 4pm). For dinner, you can make reservations on their website or give them a ring.
Hope that helps!