Marianna

The last time we visited France, we took the train from Nice to Paris. Shortly after the stop in Cannes but before Marseilles (we think), the train went by the most spectacular crescent shaped, white sand beach, dotted with palm trees. I actually gasped when I saw it - just beautiful. The train was above the beach, but close enough to be able to see people sunbathing and swimming so I'm sure that if you were on the beach, you could see the train. The French gentleman sitting across from us told me the name of the spot, but I have since forgotten it. I have looked at maps but I am not exactly sure where it is. We would like to visit there this summer. Can anyone help me locate this beach?

Underhill

Could it have been Cassis? Sounds like it, although there's also a very nice beach just east of Marseille.

Underhill

Topping for Marianna.

cigalechanta

Le lavandou as I recall had palm trees.
Maybe you can google photos.
Late Easter greetings, Marianna!

Marianna

Underhill, thanks for the info and for topping my question. Do you know the name of the beach east of Marseilles? I do remember that the French gentleman did not say Marseilles. Actually, after he saw my reaction to the beauty of the place, we began a conversation as best we could. He actually gave me a few pamphlets of the area which he had picked up on his weekend trip with his wife. I think I wrote the name on one of the pamphlets so I would remember for our next trip but I can't find it!

Cigalechanta, I will look for photos of Le Lavandou. I did find pictures of Cassis and, although I don't think that was it, I found another place we must vist. Hope all is well with you.

I'm sure someone here has taken the same train ride and may have seen this lovely beach.

Wishing you both happy travels!

Underhill

The beach near Marseille is the Promenade de la Plage. There are actually several beaches there. But I don't think this is the one you want, as the train doesn't go in that direction if my memory serves. Perhaps Bandol? Le Lavandou is a definite possibility, but it's not really close to Marseille. How about Clos des Plages, near la Ciotat?

This is an excellent puzzle.

Underhill

The beach area near Marseille is the Promenade de la Plage. I don't know, however, whether the train goes anywhere near the beach.

Perhaps Bandol? Le Lavendou, certainly a possibility, and the coast near la Ciotat. Fréjus has a beautiful beach, too.

This is an excellent puzzle.

Underhill

The gremlins are at it again. When the first post didn't take, I did the second--and now there it is.

sfarah

The train follows this schedule:
Marseille St.Charles
Marseille Blancarde
La Pomme
St. Marcel
La Penne-sur-Huveaune
Aubagne
Cassis
La Ciotat
St. Cyr-les-Lecq La-Cadiere
Bandol
Ollioules - Sanary-sur-Mer
La Seyne - Six-Fours
Toulon
La Garde
La Pauline - Hyeres
La Crau
Hyeres
After Hyeres the route turns in land and doesn't follow the coast again until arriving at Frejus/St Raphael which is the stop before Cannes. I hope this helps!

uhoh_busted

We were in Cassis last year and I don't recall any sandy beach at all. There are extraordinary calanques with beaches, but you could only get there by boat and I don't think the train went anywhere near them.

Marianna

Sfarah, thanks for naming all the stops along the way. I am checking each one to see if there happens to be any pictures of a beach or bay online. No luck so far!

To my husband's best recollection, the beach was not far before the train turned inland to head to Paris. It definitely was a white sandy beach with palm trees surrounding it. If I can't locate it, then we will just have to do the train ride again and find it.

We are looking forward to our trip!

4totravel

Do you remember small islands (3-4?) off the coast of this beach? This might help you narrow it down somewhat...

4totravel

Did you find it?

Marianna

No, not yet. I will keep looking and hoping someone can tell me where it is. I want to go there and just sit on that amazing beach. If I could have stopped the train I would have! I appreciate all your help. I really hope I can find it when we are there in July.

Thanks so much!

cigalechanta

http://home.arcor.de/mg/mgf6267/9.htm
these aren't doing justice to the beach at La Lavandou. but it's the only one I remember with palm trees on the beach rather than above on the road.