Castel Plage

Castel Plage occupies the far eastern end of the Baie des Anges in Nice, at 8 Quai des Etats-Unis, right under the wooded hill of the Colline du Chateau. That position matters: it is the quietest corner of the city seafront, sheltered from the wind that runs along the Promenade des Anglais, and it is a short walk from the old town rather than a taxi ride. Like every beach in Nice this is smooth grey shingle rather than sand, so the loungers earn their keep. Sunbeds come with a parasol, with separate half-day and full-day rates and towels for hire. The restaurant is the other half of the operation and takes its seafood seriously, keeping a live tank of Breton blue lobster and royal red langoustines that are chosen and cooked to order. It serves lunch on the beach and reopens for dinner in the evening, when the view along the curve of the bay towards the airport is at its best. The beach is supervised, there are showers and toilets, wifi and step-free access, and valet parking solves the hardest part of driving into central Nice. It is a calm, well-run place rather than a party beach.