It is technically possible to reach Espiguette beach by public transport from Montpellier. If you are unsure about fish, the fish and chips is always a safe bet - fresh fish goujons. Getting in:Smart casual dress; 10 (9) entry. But its here, on the cusp between anonymity and urban coolness, that young professionals and students join locals in impressive numbers. Providing an array of fine products ranging from caviar, local cheeses, Spanish charcuterie, sardines from La Guildive and a selectin of jams as well as an enviable menu of wines that can be enjoyed on an on-site terrace.

At 64 years old, Sharon Stone poses nude on Instagram, Discover an Ami beach bag and bandana with the August issue of Vogue France, Gorgonzola cheese on wooden cutting board viewed from above. The best part has to be Jean-Paul Cudennec, with one Michelin star, which plays on the best of Southern French cuisine, as well as Tigre Yoga spa. The result is that more pressure is applied to the private beach clubs to be temporary structures. In fact they are more than happy to let you sit there whilst you finish off your wine.Then you can head down to the beach to sleep it all off. There are regularly changing exhibitions, concerts, drinks, tapas and a Sunday brunch. We were a party of six and all had great food, efficiently served in the perfect position overlooking the beach.

All the fish is provided by the fishermen from Saintes-Maries, usually accompanied by local Camargue wild rice and vegetables.

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OK, so scrap what I said about not expecting to find fine dining in a beach restaurant. It is located just below the Royal Hotel.

20 for a bottle of Picpoul-de-Pinet is fairly standard in a restaurant. Over the years we have been back to Les Vagues many a time and we used to make a regular pilgrimage on my birthday each year. Contact:00 33 695 177812 / 00 33 491 666137; see Facebook page It is much simpler to access the best parts of L'Espiguette Plage by car. This well-located, old-world-meets-new village property offers an ideal blend of quintessential countryside charm with trendsetting, tasteful design. Address: 124 Chemin du Littoral Prolong, 34300 Agde. It has a view taking in the sea and the pines, a minimalist designer interior decor, and a terrace overlooking the sea. There are a couple of pop-up beach bars along the 18 km stretch of Espiguette beach, but for me the best one is L'Oyat beach bar, which is located close to a large car park at the Lighthouse end of the beach. I don't have a major issue with this and it is quite cool sometimes to have a barefoot meal on the sand. To top it all off, the hotel holds one of the best restaurants in Marseille, directed by Grald Passdat, serving luxurious little seafood platters, dishes of raw fish, crystal caviar, and perfectly roasted vegetables and to top it all off, melon soup and delectable little jellies. It also served as the model for the bar in France's favourite telebvision soap opera, the Marseille-based Plus Belle La Vie, and so is revered by fans, as Brit soap fans might revere the original of the Rover's Return. After a couple of years of eating at Les Vagues fairly regularly, we found that it was getting more and more expensive, so we restricted our visits to special occasions.

Opening times:Mon-Sun, 7am-2am Prices:. It's off-centre, in the Plaine district, with other good options nearby if you fancy a bit of a bar crawl. Here are our top 12 spots to recharge and relax in Marseille. From the centre of Le Grau de Roi, you can take a local bus (C32) which runs past the Town Hall and the Aquarium. Climbing the Roches Blanches has hidden bonuses too the rocks exfoliate the skin, making it soft and refreshed. Contact: 00 33491 42 26 02; latasca.fr Which is all to the good.

You always have a clear sight of them before they inevitably started fighting over who has the spade. Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest on travel, high-end fashion and ultimate luxury straight from LLM - Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. This stretch of the beach has a wide expanse of white sand, with big sand dunes at the back of the beach. It is located on Plage Est in Saintes-Maries, just at the back of the beach.

Not just because they are cooked really well, but because they also come with interesting sauces and accompaniments. The old town of Villefranche-sur-mer is really lovely and the restaurants around the bay are a great spot to grab some lunch. LLM - Luxury Lifestyle Magazine is operated and run by Luxury Lifestyle Media Group Limited. A favourite Marseille beer bar that mixes seriousness of purpose 400 craft beers and special tasting glasses for each category with cool conviviality. There is a section of sun beds next to the cocktail bar and the sea is just 30m away across the golden sand. To find this group of three picturesque beaches located along the Cte Bleue, wander to the 16th arrondissement.

The Caf Julien (39 Cours Julien) is as rock'n'roll as a little music caf gets, while Le Makeda also puts on some groovy shows (103 Rue Ferrari). Go into the Hotel Belle Vue and up the grand staircase to this small, first-floor jazz and tapas bar. Les Pieds dans L'O is a cheap, but excellent beach restaurant in Marseillan Plage in the Languedoc. Some of the beach bars have found creative ways of creating a cool and stylish restaurant experience. Prices: , Explore hotels that have been tried, tested and rated by our experts. A 10 minute walk along the seafront at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, you will find a really cool beach bar called La Playa. VisitChiringuito beach bar Vias Plagefor more information. This small coastal town has been home to fishermen for centuries and they still bring in their daily catches from the Golfe du Lion. There are solid hardwood floors. Just two miles south of the city centre, Plage Escales Borely is one of the most popular beaches near Marseille amongst water sports enthusiasts, particularly wind-reliant sports such as windsurfing and sailing. Opening times: Tue-Sat, 7pm-2am; Sun, 11am-12am My wife and I shared a baked Camembert. Anyway, if you are in the area, please give it a go, you wont be disappointed.

Arrive early if youre planning on driving, as parking can be an issue later on in the day during the summer months.

It never disappoints and this year was even an improvement on last, which is saying something. Entry is free but the chaps on the door are quite exacting. With a selection of snack bars and cafs, and sun loungers available to rent for those looking to soak up some rays, its a vibrant beach that has something for everyone. From Montpellier city centre, either head North towards Lunel and then follow the signs to Aigues-Mortes and Le Grau de Roi, or alternatively follow the D66 out of Montpellier towards Montpellier airport and Arena. It isnt the easiest beach to access, but its worth the effort if youre up for the challenge, and makes for a quiet and peaceful spot to relax and enjoy. The specialty at Les Voiles is fish - although you can also find steaks, duck, burgers and vegetarian dishes on the menu.

You are in a restaurant, which happens to be on the beach. Look out for fish, vegetable and meat specialities, together with proper aperitif platters of charcuterie and/or cheese, which might even constitute your full meal. For reservations call +33 04 96 18 00 00 or consult the websiteLa Villa Madie. This lengthy, sandy expanse of beach is a sociable spot that is home to a number of stylish bars and restaurants that offer the perfect environment for a relaxing seaside lunch or dinner, or some early evening sundowners. The best beach near Montpellier is Espiguette beach.

We went back to Tahiti Plage in September and it remains one of my favourite beach bars. You will find La Villa Madie at Avenue de Revestel-anse de Corton, 13260 Cassis, France. If youre planning on visiting in 2022, then youll be spoilt for choice, with a huge number of sheltered coves, hidden beauty spots and long stretches of sand to choose from. I still have the dribbles of oil and cheese all the way down my white linen shirt. Prices:. And so began my love affair with Les Vagues. The huge ceiling fans hanging from the large beamed roof, provide a gentle cooling breeze.

Prices:.

If electro-techno is your thing, this is the place if you can get in.

The service is very relaxed and friendly and you can have a laugh and joke with the waiters and waitresses. You can take a local train from Montpellier to Le Grau de Roi or alternatively, the 106 bus does stop off in Le Grau de Roi after visiting Aigues-Mortes (see Montpellier Transport Herault). Les Voiles beach bar Portiragnes South France. Dont judge a book by its cover: behind this slightly run-down looking storefront is the best pizza in Marseille. The building itself was designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti in collaboration with his peer, Roland Carta. It was baked with lots of olive oil and the base of the dish was lined with baguette, pesto and tomatoes. 2022 Cond Nast. It has retained atmospheric pre-war elements it was already a jazz bar in the 1930s and boasts a tiny terrace affording cracking views over the Vieux Port. The restaurant menu is always really interesting, with a South Asian twist on some classic French dishes like St Jacques, Duck breasts and Monkfish skewers. 04 91 73 68 87. Nice service, good food, friendly atmosphere, good music, decent price. Sometimes the simple things in life give the most pleasure.

The Michelin guide describes the restaurant as follows: The cooking at La Villa Madie restaurant in Cassis is high-end French and Mediterranean cuisine. The bar serves some excellent Mojitos and there is a simple but very good bar menu. You can easily have a good meal here with a bottle of wine, couple of drinks beforehand and hire sunbeds for the afternoon (whilst you sleep it off) - and you will still have change from 100 for 2 people. La Villa Madie restaurant is one of only 6 restaurants in the South of France with 2 or more Michelin stars. Other highlights include a sprawling rooftop bar that gives directly onto the sea, a pleasingly bonkers bar in a design-conscious hotel, and a fab spot for craft beer drinkers with more than 400 varieties on offer. There is also a great beach bar at Vias Plage calledChiringuitothat is really popular with our French friends. I am not going to say you will have the best meal of your life here, but it will give you great memories.

Written by Iain Laverock. Great value for a super meal, thank you. Opening times: Mon-Sat, 8.30am-10.30pm We took my brother-in-law and his wife here last summer and I have to say that it was excellent. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.

Opening times: Tue-Sat, 7pm-1am Contact: 00 33 645 848258; facebook.com/VouteVirgo Address:Route de Tahiti, 83350 Ramatuelle, France. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

So we all popped in for a hot chocolate while gazing out over the sea. But I think if you are paying 35 a head for a meal, you don't want to feel that you are on a picnic with your chin resting on the table and your chair sinking ever-deeper into the sand. Opening times:9am-12am Discover the best beaches in Marseille, as well as some hidden gems within a short drive of the city. It's widely reckoned that this is Frances best-sited rooftop bar and club. From the long bay windows of the restaurant, you can enjoy the sea view all year round. Well, that was amazing. The fish and seafood is fantastic, but they do other options well too! The only issue we had was finding a parking spot. You are never going to go to a beach restaurant for fine dining and I think some of worst beach bars tend to have an over-elaborate menu. Overlooking the Mediterranean sea in the beautiful coastal resort of Cassis, South France, you will find La Villa Madie, a 2 Michelin star restaurant with fabulous views. As one of the closest major ports to Africa, Marseille, with its Mediterranean charm, certainly exhibits influences from the continent, and it is precisely this that sets it apart from the many other coastal hot spots along Frances picturesque Cote DAzur. La Mayassa beach restaurant has a superb seaside location in Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera and it is noted for its seafood cooked in Mediterranean style. Prices: .

This dashing boutique hotel is a blissful bolthole in the inner city. Contact: 00 33491 66 87 57; facebook.com/lecafedelabbaye They have created a special cocktail called aTrumpch, and dedicated to the US president. This is a list of our 10 favourite beach bars & restaurants all across South France to visit in 2021. Above and beyond all that, however, it's a super-friendly spot on whose terrace locals and tourists all meet up. Contact: 00 33491 917939;airdemarseille.com My son had fresh Seiche (Cuttlefish) cooked on the plancha grill with a pesto sauce and he was very impressed with it. The French really do love the British dont let its officialdom fool you, 10 places that deliver the ultimate holiday combination sun, sea and summits, The best things to do on a weekend in Nice.

Cap Croisette, 13008 Marseille, Tel. The menus range from a 4 course menu at 75 and an 8 course signature menu at 215. Evening reservations are taken from 19.00 to 21.15. Whilst it used to be that 70% of the beach had to be available for free public access, this has now increased to 80%. After the Arena, continue on the road towards Palavas and Carnon, before taking the D62 towards La Grande Motte. As I drew closer, not only did it turn out to be a bar-restaurant right on the beach, but amazingly it was also open. Contact:00 33 491 915649; see Facebook page We always try and tie it in with a trip to Beziers airport (either to pick up family and friends or to end their stay with a great last meal).

The best beach bars in France are located on the South France coast. Alternatively, you can just stretch out for free on the wide beach or go paddling with the kids in the shallow sea and then pop back to the shaded beach bar for a beer or cocktail. They don't have a pole up their arse like some places around here. Les Voiles beach restaurant in Portiragnes Plage, Languedoc, is our favourite beach restaurant to visit when we have guests over in the area.

Although its not technically a beach, the Vallon Des Auffes deserves a mention because of its interesting history and welcoming atmosphere, with some excellent dining spots dotted along the harbour offering local favourites like bouillabaisse a must try while in Marseille. Working directly with the property owners helps us to cut out unnecessary agency fees and booking costs. I think that one of the things which makes the difference with the atmosphere of the Les Vagues, is that the beach restaurant is actually a permanent structure. 4 Rue des Rcolettes, 13001 Marseille, Tel.04 91 54 02 29. You also get some big rollers coming in off the Mediterranean (which is really unusual because normally the sea is pretty calm in the summer). Le Petit Nice is one of Marseilles most charming seaside hotels, complete with six bedrooms, each with a coastal view. Cocktails from 8/7 a throw or maybe a glass of Provenal ros wine wont hurt at all. If undecided, try one of the two better Marseille brews: Minotte or Bires de la Plaine. There is a full la carte menu at Les Vagues and a 3 course menu with wine will probably set you back about 40-50 per head. The main restaurant kitchens are constructed from reclaimed shipping containers. Getting to the place requires a decent walk from the centre, so consider taking the 83 bus or T2 or T3 trams. Irrespective of who you are, the bar staff treat you the same and it is not really that expensive considering the location.

A favourite amongst sports enthusiasts, beach volleyball is the order of the day at Plage des Catalans, which hosts a number of tournaments and international competitions throughout the year. Contact:00 33 491 903644;lacaravelle-marseille.com

The exception to this is Les Voiles beach bar, near to Beziers in South France.

The aim was to free up more beaches for public access. Its a lovely rustic restaurant on the beach with great views of the sea. But matters continue into the night as the lights go down. Opening times: Wed-Fri, 5pm-2am; Sat and Sun, 10am-6pm A pretty, pebbly horseshoe-shaped beach located just a stones throw from luxury hotel Le Petit Nice, the Plage de Maldorme is one of the busiest beaches during the summer owing to its easy accessibility and protection from the wind.

In short, you feel that you are somewhere special. Bookings for lunch are taken for between 12.00 to 13.15.

The premises are shinily new and pretty big they can take some 1,500 people, who come here for the music (everything from rock to house), aperitifs (go for ros wine with chick-pea flour panisse sticks) and a certain well-dressed serenity. It is located on theCamargue coast, in Southern France and the area is famous for its pink flamingos, white horses and black bulls. All Rights Reserved. It was biting cold. We stumbled across Les Vagues beach restaurant in Grau d'Agde on the Languedoc coast one windy Sunday morning in March. Many of the best of the rest cluster around the Vieux Port, though these days, the hippest of all, gather in the streets around Rue Sainte et Rue dEndoume, up above the Vieux Port in a previously little-visited district. At the end of this road you will arrive at a large car park at the back of the beach. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights.

It is also quite casual at Anao Plage - yes there are the obligatory English guys dressed with belted chino shorts and deck shoes (we call it the March of the Chinos - becausethey migrate en-masse to the South of France in the summer) - but most people are fairly chilled out.

Tags: French restaurants, Beaches South France, Cote d'Azur, Languedoc South France. Set near a quaint old fishing harbour lined with colourful wooden boats and cosy, family-run restaurants, head over to the Plage du Vallon Des Auffes to take a dip in the sea and soak up the atmosphere, but be sure to bring a towel, because the only place to sunbathe here is on the rocks.