Plage du Pont du Lys Beach, Juan les Pins
Last beach of Juan les Pins as the coast curves around towards Golfe Juan
This relatively narrow sand beach is a beach of two halves. The town end is mostly taken up with beach clubs offering a pricey, decadent day lolling about on a deckchair or a pontoon.
Yet as the beach runs towards Golfe Juan, past the little sailing boats and kayaks pulled up on the shore, it becomes a public beach, with the main road and the train line running right alongside.
Like many Riviera beaches, dogs are ostensibly forbidden between mid April and the end of September because of the crowds. I have seen dogs being walked on the public end though, but keep your eye out for inspectors and be aware that you could cop a fine.
In summary there's good sand, a great view, decent facilities, watersports equipment for hire and it’s less crowded than further along.
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Setting & Location
This beach has the same stunning view across the bay towards the Esterels as the other JLP beaches do, but with perhaps a little less of their atmosphere. The main road runs snug along the back of the beach, with the train line just behind, where the trains rattle and clatter along quite regularly in summertime.
However, the closeness of the train tracks and the lack of parking along the main road does mean that the far end of Plage du Pont du Lys is often a lot less crowded than the other beaches.
As mentioned, at the town end it’s mostly private, except for one small patch of sand. The public beach is at the other end.
Water Safety & Clarity
Juan les Pins beaches often have clearer waters in midsummer than their Antibes counterparts, but will still sometimes get that miasma of sunscreen and boat run-off that plagues the Riviera beaches as millions of tourists descend on the coast. If crystal clear water is really what you’re after, pack a picnic and jump on the ferry across to the stunning Cannes Islands.
There isn’t a public lifeguard along this beach, but several of the beach clubs have lifeguards.
Stingers do sometimes visit Riviera beaches, but luckily some lovely soul maintains a jellyfish alert website, updating recent sightings of jellyfish along the Cote d’Azur. Check it out here, it’s in French, but it’s pretty easy to understand: it has big red jellyfish marked on the map, or green flags where it’s good to swim.
Beach Quality
Plage du Pont du Lys shares the same lovely soft sand as the other JLP beaches and you might even get a little more if it to yourself in summer than at the others. It’s not very wide though, and can suffer from erosion after storms, particularly at the public end.
Watersports Nearby
There is a little sailing club here, where you’ll find small sailing boats, kayaks and windsurfers for rent. For towed watersports, go to one of the pontoons further back towards town.
Directions
This beach has no road parking, but it does have a carpark on the other side of the road, which is reached by a concrete subway that runs under the road.
Villas nearby
Villas in Antibes
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Hsud0042 Villa, Villeneuve-Loubet
7 km from Antibes, in the village of Villeuneuve-Loubet, in the residential area, beautiful modern villa situated on the plot of 800m².
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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
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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.
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Hsud0017 Villa, Vallauris
Located in Vallauris, 10 km from Cannes, in a leafy residential area with sea view, luxurious villa set in 2500 m² of wooded, fenced grounds.
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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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Hsud0080 Villa, Roquefort-les-Pins
At 6km from Valbonne, in the commune of roquefort-les-pins, in a quiet area, charming villa situated on a plot of land of about 2100 m².
Hotels nearby
Hotels in Antibes
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Villa Miraé
Villa Miraé offers a serene retreat in Cap d’Antibes, featuring luxurious rooms and Mediterranean-inspired dining by Chef Mauro Colagreco. Experience elegant interiors, breathtaking gardens, and unforgettable cuisine in a prime location on the French Riviera.
Price: €6,102
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La Villa Hotel, Juan les Pins
La Villa Cap d'Antibes, a four-star hotel, offers an intimate boutique experience, blending discreet elegance with a serene atmosphere.
Price: €2,606
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Le Mas de Pierre Hotel, Saint-Paul de Vence
This five-star Relais & Châteaux resort offers elegant rooms, exceptional facilities and a peaceful setting near Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Price: €3,407
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Hotel de Mougins
Set in a historic 18th-century bastide, the four-star Hôtel de Mougins offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of Provence. Surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and filled with Provençal charm, it’s the perfect base for unwinding and exploring the Côte d’Azur.
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Le Saint Paul Hotel, Saint-Paul de Vence
Tucked inside the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, Hotel Le Saint Paul offers timeless charm, artistic flair, and refined hospitality in a Relais & Châteaux setting.
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Toile Blanche Hotel, St Paul de Vence
Toile Blanche is a stylish retreat where contemporary design, Provençal elegance and immersive art come together across serene gardens and valley views.
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Antibes
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Motorbike hire
Based in Cannes, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
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Luxury Tayarrah Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Road bike hire
This company is based in Cannes and offers a wide range of road bikes, with delivery available to 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 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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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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Le Saint-Paul Restaurant, Saint Paul de Vence
Laurent Paccini is the chef at this Relais & Châteaux hotel and brings the food of different cultures to his excellent Mediterranean restaurant in Saint-Paul de Vence.
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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.
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Eden-Roc Restaurant
Savour signature cocktails and exclusive wines while enjoying panoramic Mediterranean views at Eden-Roc Lounge. Open to resident and restaurant guests, subject to availability.
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La Bastide Saint Antoine Restaurant, Grasse
Michelin-starred La Bastide Saint-Antoine offers a refined retreat near Cannes, where chef Jacques Chibois creates inspired Provençal cuisine. Set in a stunning country house with lush gardens and panoramic sea views, it’s the perfect blend of gastronomy, elegance, and tranquillity.
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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Bar a Vin le 61 Restaurant
Opposite the Old Port, this wine bar has a great selection of wines that you can enjoy whilst looking out over the water, yachts and marina.
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Le New Orleans Bar, Juan les Pins
Wine and cocktail bar in the heart of Juan les Pins, opposite the Pinede Park that serves up live music as well.
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Le Zinc Wine Bar & Restaurant
The owners are on hand to assist you with your wine choice and to give you a warm welcome to this small bar.
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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.
Sights nearby
Sights in Antibes
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Exflora Park, Juan les Pins
A magnificent example of Mediterranean gardens with a large olive grove, fountains and of course the wonderful Antibes roses!
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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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Musee de la Carte Postale
From all period and all countries, this museum has a wonderful collection that showcases the history of the postcard.
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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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Chapelle Saint Bernardin
This Gothic church was built in Antibes in the 16th century to house the Brotherhood of the White Penitents of St. Bernardin.
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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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Golf Course de Villeneuve-Loubet, Villeneuve Loubet
A great course for beginners to experienced players, slightly hilly, the greens are linked in a calm and exotic atmosphere in the heart of the Riviera.
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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.
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Opio Valbonne Golf Course, Opio
Set between Cannes, Nice and Grasse, the Golf Club of Opio Valbonne is one of the jewels in the crown of the Riviera.
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Valescure Golf Course, Saint Raphael
The course was designed by the renowned architect Harry Colt.
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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.
Towns nearby
Towns & Villages in Antibes
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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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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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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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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 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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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.
Beach Bars & Beachclubs in Antibes
There are several beach clubs with restaurants along here, with the party atmosphere of Moorea Beach being the most well-known.
It can actually get a bit rowdy at times here on summer weekends, particularly when the superyacht crews come to town splashing their tip money and champagne around. For something a bit quieter and refined, head to Bijou Plage. If you’re watching your budget then head to a supermarket and pick up a picnic.