kanne

My family of four (two boys 13 & 15) will be staying in Monte Carlo for four days this August and will surely want to spend some time at the beach. It sounds like the easiest option would be the public Larvotto beach right in Monte Carlo. Although it's public it sounds like chairs/umbrellas can easily be rented right there. Does anyone have any more specific information for this beach?

We will also likely go into Nice one day to walk the promenade and visit a private beach there. Any advice on which one? Since we have two teens it would be great to find a beach that offered a floating dock, trampoline or some other kid friendly activity. In my online search Castel beach comes up often as the top choice, but it sounds like that may be mainly because of its ritzy who's who clientele. We're fine with paying for one day at a private beach, but don't really need the most fashionable option.

And yes, I realize there will be topless patrons at all of the beaches public or private. I would just like to find a good option where a family will fit in with me wearing a top - but not high-heeled beach stilettos

Thank you!!

suec1

You may want to go to either Antibes or Villefrance - the beaches are sandy there. I like the promenade and old town Nice but the beach is rocky - it is a show, tho!

rek

I think Larvotto plage is definitely a good family-friendly option. If memory serves, there are 4 beach clubs separated by silky sand so you can either choose to rent sunbeds & parasols or you can just bring your own beach gear. There are also a few restaurants, cafes, games between the beach and Avenue Princesse Grace so there should be enough to keep your boys entertained! You'll probably be within walking distance to the beach but if not, buses 4 and 6 will drop you nearby.

In terms of Nice's beaches, as suec1 says, they're quite rocky so perhaps Villefranche-sur-mer would be a better bet. Opera plage might be a nicer choice than Castel if you have your heart set on Nice. Another great beach which is quite close to Monaco is Paloma plage in St-Jean Cap Ferrat. The sand is not quite as smooth as Larvotto but it has an unparalleled setting.

I hope that information helps a bit kanne, enjoy your holiday!

kanne

Thank you for the replies! It does sound like our best beach bet is to stick to the close-by Larvrotto. Are the beach clubs at Lavrotto in defined areas that don't allow outside food/drink or are they just places to rent chairs and umbrellas on an otherwise public beach? I thought I had read that the only private part of the beach was in front of the Meridian Hotel, which I assumed was for guests only.

My reason for considering a beach in Nice was that I would definitely like to check out the promenade and figured our boys would want to spend time at a beach while there. Maybe we'd be best just planning to hit a public beach in Nice and put up with the rocky shore for that excursion. I'm also not sure if there is a chance of the private clubs in Nice filling up if we don't arrive early? I don't know about the other private beaches in Nice, but it looks like Castel can be reserved online in advance.

Regardless of which beaches we go to it sounds like they will all be crowded in August no matter what time we arrive!

MilenaM

I have spent time on the public side of Larvotto beach. The side with sunbeds(the defined area, yes) belonged to La Rose des Vents Beach Club and Restaurant - you can google them. I liked the freedom of the public beach - come and go as I pleased and the possibility of eating elsewhere. I did not find it crowded in August, especially in the afternoon. In the morning, there were groups of kids for the scuba diving lessons and parents were obviously on the beach as well.

kanne

Thanks MilenaM. I found a useful website to compare prices, etc. of private beaches on the Riviera. easybeachbooking.com. Just thought I'd mention it for others who may come across this thread.

rek

I have to agree with MilenaM, the informality of Larvotto's public beach is perfect for a family day out. There aren't many beaches on the Cote d'Azur where you can play frisbee with your family in the middle of August! Some days are a bit busier than others, particularly later in the week but hopefully you can find a bit of space to enjoy yourselves. This page (http://www.rivierarentalguide.com/di...lage-l133.html) has a bit more information on the different beach clubs on Larvotto. I think the private beach clubs should be able to squeeze you in even if you don't arrive at the break of dawn kanne. Nice's Promenade is well worth a visit but just don't underestimate how uncomfortable the large pebbles can be on your feet! Perhaps you could spend the day at the beach in Monaco and then travel to Nice for an evening stroll on the Promenade - the best of both worlds!

Tulips

If you are willing to take a train to Juan les Pins - sandy beaches, and a nice place for teenagers. Lots of little boutiques that are open till midnight. Spend an afternoon on the beach, go around the shops, have dinner on the beach (book ahead!) and train back. Some of the beaches have waterskiing, kayaks etc.

Don't worry about topless sunbathing; it's a minority nowadays, most women wear tops.

Just noticed that your teens are boys - maybe not so interested in shopping as my teenage girls were!

Tulips

Oh and go have an icecream or cocktail at Pampam and watch the Brazilian dancers. Fine for kids, it's an open terrace on the street.

MrTimCah

Thanks Kanne, I have also used the site www.easybeachbooking.com in the past. Recently got 2 sunbeds near Nice on special offer on their site! I am in this area quite often so i like to get the best deal.

I also visited Eden Beach in Cap d'ail, near Monaco , i think ....Prices were reasonable as well. in July i got a sun bed for €22 per day for me and my girlfriend. Towels are an extra €5 euro but il get over that!

justineparis

We stayed in Nice for four days last summer, and frankly that is the one place I would and did pay for lounge chairs, those rocks HURT, they are not small pebbles , they are rocks the size from golf balls to grapefruits.. ouch.. just walking on them to get in water was not fun( bring or wear water sandals or tevas etc, my feet got bruised as I had nothing)
We enjoyed Nice, its a great hub city for visiting the riveria towns, but frankly I would not go out of my way to visit it for more then an hour or so then jump back on train and continue on to Cannes for your beach time , at least beaches there are mostly sandy. Trians are so cheap and fast its not a big deal