Castel Plage

Much of Nice's shoreline is studded with grey pebbles, and though it's stunning in the sunlight, it's an unpleasant place to relax atop a towel. For only €18 a day, Castel Plage rents chairs and umbrellas to beach-goers, who also have access to a full bar, restaurant, and shower-equipped restrooms. Castel Plage is perhaps the most affordable way to experience the glamour for which the Riviera is known. Though not included in the price above, food and drinks are prepared on-demand and quickly served to seaside loungers. At Castel, people turn a shade of gold only found in France. They eat mussels and frites with abandon and wonder if they'll ever be so lucky again. A carefree sensuality pervades here; the beauty of the ocean, the patio, and the staff is almost overwhelming. Everything down to the ice in the beverages is ethereal, and it's impossible to overstate how luxurious the atmosphere feels. Castel Plage is the perfect place to indulge in the Cote d'Azur's warmth.

It’s hard to find a really nice beachside venue in Nice, but Castel Plage is one of them. On our days off (only two a month, so we thought carefully about what to do for them) we would come here to rent a beach chair and have cocktails delivered to us as we sunbathed. Castel Plage makes mere mortals feel like royals, and having the star treatment on the French Riviera is certainly an experience any tourist should actively seek out. Staying here for the DJ and the nightlife is even better, because the elegant regulars here are a bit less messy than their inland counterparts.