Bellevue Villa, Vallauris
Villa Bellevue does not bear this name without reason. You live here high on the slopes of Vallauris, the place where Picasso lived and worked for many years.
Plage de la Garoupe Beach, Cap d'Antibes
Nestled in a small cove on Cap d’Antibes
This is one of the prettiest beaches on this stretch of coast. Silky-soft white sands sloping into crystal clear waters, lots of little boats at anchor and the rocky headland is a snorkeler’s heaven to explore. The trade off is that most of the sand is private during the summer.
This beach has a wonderful history. During the late Belle Epoque and the early Jazz Age, the French Riviera was considered only as a wintertime resort. In the 1920’s, however, a famous American socialite couple, the Murphys, bought a villa on the Cap d’Antibes and spent countless hours cleaning Plage de la Garoupe of seaweed and old fishing nets in order to attract their wealthy and famous friends to summer here. It certainly worked: Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Picasso were just a few who came to attend the glittering parties and enjoy the pretty little beach their friends had prepared.
Not a problem for the Hemingways or Picasso, but for today's visitor selfies are banned on Garoupe Beach, arguing that people at this sophisticated beach should be enjoying the moment rather than being preoccupied taking photos to brag to their friends back home. That’s us told, then.
This beach is almost entirely taken up with private beach clubs with just two very small patches of gloriously soft sand reserved for the public in the summer months. As of mid-October through to April though, this stunning beach can be all yours again. Plage Keller is extremely sophisticated, with yellow deckchairs set up on a wooden jetty stretching out over the water, and white tablecloth tables set up on the soft sands. Petit Plage and Plage Joseph are also rather ritzy.
As mentioned, the private beach clubs close in late September/early October, so the beach opens up again. However, during the winter storms this beach piles up with an incredible amount of seaweed and driftwood. You can see how the Murphys had their work cut out for them clearing the beach each spring.
Not only is this a supremely pretty beach, but when sitting on it you can take pleasure in the knowledge that this tiny patch of sand was largely responsible for the launch of the French Riviera as the glamorous summer resort we know today. Not to mention that Hemingway, Picasso and Fitzgerald once sat on the sand here and played in the waters, looking out across the bay and planning their masterpieces.
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Beach Bars & Beachclubs in Antibes
If you’re wanting to push the boat out, the restaurant at Plage Keller (called Cesar’s) is very good indeed and the setting and ambience are just lovely. La Garoupe Beach Restaurant slightly up the hill away from the main stretch of beach is also a fine (and refined) restaurant. At a lower end of the budget, La Joliette is a reasonably priced place for a fairly decent lunch, with a relaxed feel and plastic seating. It’s a pleasant place to spend a few hours with a bottle of icy cold rose, with a nice stretch of sand in front. There’s also a little cheap café with red umbrellas set on the corner edge of the beach serving up French basics such as omelettes, baguettes and salads.
There aren’t any shops as such on this little section of beach, but for those wanting to buy a picnic to walk around the Cap, there is a small Casino supermarket nearby on the Cap d’Antibes. You can buy ice-creams from freezer boxes in the cheaper cafés.
Setting & Location
The views are beautiful and you look back across the Bay of Angels towards Nice and the immense Alps looming over the coast, or up behind you to the Cap with its sumptuous villas and hotels hiding among the fragrant pines. This beach is also the jumping off point to one of the most wonderful coastal walks of the Cote d’Azur, a rugged stone path which winds and climbs its way around the rocky headland to Millionaire’s Bay.
There is a lot of free parking in the streets around Plage de la Garoupe, however, these surrounding car parks do get very busy in summer.
Water Safety & Clarity
This is a wonderful place to swim, with much nicer water quality than the beaches closer to Antibes town. There are a few rocks here and there, but it’s mostly a nice sandy seabed.
This is a very sheltered place to swim and has a nice gentle slope into the water, making it a great place for kids. There isn’t a public lifeguard posted, but the beach club Plage Keller has one on duty and we’re fairly sure they wouldn’t let you drown (even if you aren’t one of their champagne-drinking clientele).
Beach Quality
Some of the best on the Riviera, the sand here is deep and soft and the water wonderfully fresh and clear.
Watersports Nearby
During the summer months, a pontoon with a slide is anchored just offshore, generally covered with happy kids clambering all over it. Plage Keller also offers swimming lessons.
There aren’t any watersports operators on this small beach, but if staying on the Cap your hotel will often have kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear and the like for rent. The rocky headlands of the Cap are wonderful spots for snorkelling, and paddleboard and kayak tour operators both explore this stretch of coastline in tour groups running out of Antibes.
Directions
If you’re driving, simply head around the Cap d’Antibes from Antibes until you come to the signs on your left for ‘Plage de la Garoupe’.
If walking, it will take around 40 minutes to from Antibes Old Town, but what a walk it is, with stunning views all around.
The local Envibus (Bus Line 2) services Plage de la Garoupe, it will drop you off near the road turning to the beach and it's an easy few minutes walk to the beach.
Villas nearby
Villas in Antibes
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Hsud0020 Villa
12 km from Cannes, modern villa situated in a residential estate calm on a garden of 1500 m².
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Hsud0043 Villa, Roquefort-les-Pins
6km from Valbonne in the town of Roquefort-les-Pins, beautiful Provencal farmhouse renovated in 2021, located on a plot of approximately 3,000 m².
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Hsud0054 Villa, Vallauris
In the town of Vallauris, we present the villa "Luma" located in height, without direct vis-à-vis, with a very beautiful sea view, on a plot of 800 m².
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Lunetta Villa, Opio
Villa Lunetta features four bedrooms (2 master suites and 2 guest rooms) and four en-suite bathrooms and shower rooms spread over two spacious floors.
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Arte Villa, Biot
In your own artistic villa with contemporary interiors, a stunning pool and unobstructed views of the forest of Valmasque in a region of the French Riviera that so inspired Picasso, Matisse and Miró, you will stay just 18 km from the lively city of Cannes
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Antibes
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Luxury SMILE Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Luxury Rehab Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Luxury A4A Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Cannes Islands Boat Trip
A trip on a luxury motor boat with the professional crew to guide you on a fabulous day out on the ocean from Antibes to Cannes.
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Luxury To Escape Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Luxury Lizard Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Antibes
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Le Nacional Restaurant
Le Nacional is a THE Beef and Wine restaurant in the heart of historical Antibes. A restaurant that will excite the taste buds of gourmet meat aficionados. The choicest pieces of beef provided by the highest quality butchers.
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La Passagère Restaurant
La Passagère at Hôtel Belles Rives offers a refined culinary journey shaped by the creative talents of Chef Aurélien Véquaud and Pastry Chef Steve Moracchini. Set against a stunning Riviera backdrop, this restaurant pairs inspired cuisine with a spectacular setting.
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Les Pecheurs Gourmet Restaurant, Juan Les Pins
Enjoy a culinary experience at this fine dining restaurant, Les Pêcheurs. It offers a creative cuisine that deftly blends flavours and fragrances from throughout the French Riviera.
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Royal Beach Beach Club
This private beach club is situated opposite the hotel.
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Grill Restaurant, Cap d'Antibes
Sip something chilled at The Grill Bar and soak up the glamour of the French Riviera, where iconic moments and timeless beauty come together. Open to hotel guests only, subject to availability.
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La Plage Belles Rives Beach Club, Juan les Pins
Soft white sand, a private pontoon, a lounge bar and a restaurant at the water's edge make this beach club a very special place to be.
Nightlife nearby
Bars & Clubs in Antibes
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Royal Lounge Bar
Enjoy sea views and delicious cocktails at this jazz lounge in central Antibes.
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Fitzgerald Piano Bar, Juan les Pins
Moleskine armchairs, panoramic view, masterpieces, cracked oak floors, all complemented by a breathtaking view from the terrace where the sunset is magical.
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Pam Pam, Juan les Pins
Pam Pam and her team invite you to discover or rediscover a wide selection of cocktails, alcoholic or not.
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Le Village
The club is known for hosting some of Europe’s most popular DJs, as well as its creative theme nights. Imagine a village square at night - cobbled streets, fountains and a lively atmosphere.
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Absinthe Bar
You can be sure you'll have a good time in this authentic, lively bar.
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Eden Casino, Juan les Pins
If you fancy a gamble head to the Eden casino in Juan les Pins. There are 180 different slot machines plus tables with roulette, black jack and poker.
Sights nearby
Sights in Antibes
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Villa Eilen Roc and Gardens
This exceptional residence symbolises the luxury and voluptuousness of the Belle Époque. It was built in 1867 following plans by Charles Garnier, the architect of both the Paris and Monte Carlo opera houses.
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Le Phare de la Garoupe
A charming little place, lost amid maritime pines, sheltering an old chapel and the lighthouse.
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Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret, Cap d'Antibes
When Gustave Thuret arrived in Cap d'Antibes, he fell in love with the wild nature of the place and bought five hectares on which to build his stunning villa and cultivate a beautiful park and gardens.
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Espace Mer et Littoral (Graillon Tower), Cap d'Antibes
This museum is located in the Graillon Tower on the tip of the Cap d'Antibes. It boasts panoramic views from its large terrace.
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Musee d'Histoire et d'Archeologie (History & Archaeology Museum)
Take a look into the ancient past of Antibes which includes some artefacts from the Greek occupation when the town was known as Antipolis.
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Absinthe Museum
Absinthe has been made in Antibes for a long time. It is possible to visit the Absinthe Museum to see how this incredibly potent green spirit is made.
Golf-clubs nearby
Golf Courses in Antibes
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Royal Mougins Golf Course
Founded in 1993, the Royal Mougins Golf Club is a course of exceptional quality. Designed by world-famous American architect, the late Robert von Hagge, the par 71, 18-hole course extends for 6,004 m through a lush, wooded vale.
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Claux Amic Golf Course, Grasse
This golf course is located on a charming old private hunting estate dating back to the 17th century.
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Saint Donat Golf Course, Grasse
This beautifully situated golf club has two courses, one 18 hole and one 9 hole, plus a practice range and practice bunker.
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Old Course Golf Course, Cannes-Mandelieu
The Cannes-Mandelieu Old Race golf course was drawn and traced by Harry Colt in 1891 at the request of Grand Duke Michel of Russia.
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Valescure Golf Course, Saint Raphael
The course was designed by the renowned architect Harry Colt.
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Golf Course de la Grande Bastide, Opio
Situated between Nice and Cannes, the Grande Bastide golf course is in one of the beautiful parts of the Côte d’Azur.
Towns nearby
Towns & Villages in Antibes
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Cap d'Antibes
A short walk from both Antibes and Juan-les-Pins is the Cap d'Antibes. This gorgeous headland is gently undulating and is filled with smart and very private villas. The Cap is best known for the uber-luxurious (and expensive) Hotel du Cap Eden Roc.
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Juan Les Pins
Located just west of the old town of Antibes, Juan Les Pins is a seaside resort with beautiful sandy beaches, independent boutiques and a good selection of lively restaurants, bars and hotels.
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Vallauris Golfe-Juan
The commune is known as Vallauris Golfe-Juan, combining the traditional charm of the pottery capital of the Riviera, Vallauris, which sits inland, with the seaside resort and sandy beaches of Golfe-Juan.
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Ile Sainte Marguerite
The gorgeous island of Saint Marguerite is the largest of the islands off the coast of Cannes. Regular ferries run from Cannes and only take around 15 minutes, yet this small island made up of a quiet pine forest and pretty coves feels far separated from the glitzy boutiques and hotels of Cannes.
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Biot
Biot is a lovely picturesque old town located up in the hills of Antibes. This medieval town is full of culture, history and art.
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Ile de Saint Honorat, Lerins Islands
The island of Saint Honorat is the smaller of the two inhabited Lerins islands. Its main attraction is the monastery, a wonderful stone building well worth a visit.
