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The most glamorous beach clubs to visit in the French Riviera
By Lauren O'Neill | 24 July 2024 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Travel
With a plethora of glamorous A-list beach clubs and restaurants like the Maybourne Riviera lining up France’s glitzy coastline, we highlight the best spots to dip and dine
Summer is here and the French Riviera has never been hotter — both literally and figuratively. With many jetting off to the South of France to soak up some sun, forget dinner bookings — in this heat, where you’re headed for lunch, and the sought-after French Riviera beach clubs where you can grab delicious dishes and cool down in style with a refreshing dip afterwards — should be your port of call.
And with France being a very popular destination this summer thanks to the Olympic Games, guests will be looking to escape the electricity of the sporting tournament for some down time. And nothing personifies relaxing and unwinding better than the Maybourne Riviera.
Below, we explain why this hotel is our top pick for a sojourn in the South of France, while also listing our picks of the best and most glamorous beach clubs and A-list restaurants to dip and dine in the French Riviera.
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The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
An absolute must visit is The Maybourne Riviera. The hotel, whose sister properties include London icons Claridge’s and The Connaught, benefits from an absolutely spectacular location perched high up on the massif above Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the more understated neighbour of Monaco, and its unique vantage points offers breathtaking views of the French Riviera that photos just simply cannot do justice to.
Whether you’re a beach bunny or prefer a sophisticated poolside, The Maybourne Riviera has options for both. Its pool restaurant La Piscine affords stunning views of the coastline. Guests can choose from some incredibly light seafood dishes such as Yellowtail Crudo and Roasted Octopus or opt for something a little more indulgent such as lobster roll or a classic beef burger. It’s pizza menu is not to be missed either – benefiting from its close proximity to Italy, its classic margherita cooked in a woodfired oven we’re sure would get the Italian seal of approval.
After lunch, take a breather on its vibrant orange sun loungers with a classic cocktail to soak up the views of the azure sea across the infinity pool, which is quite literally carved into the cliff, making for the most wonderfully dramatic backdrop whichever way you look.
If a swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean are tempting you, head to the hotel’s beach club, Maybourne La Plage, at the tip of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. With softer tones of coral than its poolside counterpart throughout, this secluded, chic beach spot is more reminiscent of the Amalfi than the typical Riviera style – think Sophia Loren in Scandal in Sorrento. The food would make Sophia happy too with pasta dishes such as linguine alla vongole alongside the likes of grilled lobster and burrata. For added glamour, you can opt to arrive at the beach club by boat and simply moor at its pontoon, before heading back at sunset after an idyllic afternoon.
www.maybourneriviera.com
Le Plongeoir, Nice
This iconic restaurant in Nice began at the end of the 19th century when a chic fishing boat was perched atop a rock and secured, allowing guests to dine six metres above the sea. Connected by a walkway to the main coast, the restaurant still stands today as Le Plongeoir following a redesign in 1941 by architect René Livieri, upon when its famous diving boards were introduced. This unique setting makes for an unforgettable lunch on the Riviera where guests can enjoy gourmet cuisine featuring local, fresh seasonal produce
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La Guérite, île Sainte-Marguerite
If you’re visiting Cannes, we advise venturing a little further away from the mainland and taking a boat across to the Sainte-Marguerite islands to pay a visit to La Guérite, one of the world’s most exclusive beach clubs. Founded in 1902, La Guerite, a former fisherman’s cabin accessible only by boat, is a favourite of yacht owners and has long been the reserve of the A list. With gorgeous views across the bay of Cannes, relax by the crystal waters and enjoy a delectable menu including pasta dishes, salads and, of course, fresh seafood by executive chef Yiannis Kioroglou.
www.restaurantlaguerite.com
Byblos Beach, St Tropez
St Tropez icon Hotel Byblos has its own waterfront outpost in the form of Byblos Beach, an exclusive beach club on Pampelonne. Byblos Beach Ramatuelle, designed by François Frossard, takes inspiration from sailing culture and complements the Lebanese influenced style of its sister hotel. Chef Nicola Canuti has curated a light menu of Mediterranean dishes with a focus on fish, ceviche, fresh fruit, and vegetables grown at the hotel’s own vegetable garden.