After a decade exploring the Mediterranean coastline of southern France, there are only a handful of beaches I find myself returning to year after year. This summer, I packed the 2CV and revisited two of my favorites. Each had a completely different atmosphere, but both are perfect for lingering over a meal by the sea. In Cassis, Plage du Bestouan is all brilliant blues: crystal-clear water, the dramatic silhouette of Cap Canaille, and elegant villas perched above the shoreline. It’s a beach where a leisurely picnic feels as much a part of the experience as a swim in the Mediterranean.Further east, Plage Paloma on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat couldn’t be more different. As the afternoon fades, the bay takes on warm golden tones, the pines cast long shadows across the water, and the pace of the day slows almost imperceptibly. It’s my favorite place to set a beautiful table, pour a glass of chilled rosé, and watch the evening settle over the Riviera. Together, these two beaches capture everything I love about summer on France’s southern coast: one bright and invigorating, the other soft and serene, each offering its own unforgettable way to experience the Mediterranean.
