In complete contrast to last week’s beach which was wild, fairly empty and reasonably isolated today I’m taking you to a city beach, la Réserve – it’s actually in the port area of Nice – which is always crowded and absolutely tiny! The only similarity is that it’s also very rocky. So what’s the charm?
People and port watching are two of the reasons I like this minuscule beach. And the view of the grandiose villas on Mt Boron isn’t bad either. There’s just something about la Réserve beach in Nice that appeals, not for every day but occasionally it hits the mark. You make a camp in a crack in the rocks and watch the Corsica ferries come and go; it’s different.
La Réserve beach is not the place for big groups of people, there just isn’t room. For a couple or a small family, however, it’s good for snorkelling and watching a slice of niçois life. Pretty much everyone here is local, you won’t hear English or other foreign languages on this weeny stretch of the coast. Local kids jump off the high walls but I’ve never been to this beach with my teen so I’ve never had to watch my own progeny do these crazy stunts, thankfully! And up until very recently you could also watch even crazier guys jumping/diving off the old plongeoir (diving board).
I say until very recently because just a few weeks ago this old ruined diving board was renovated and reopened as a luxury restaurant, somewhat changing the atmosphere of the area! I’m sure it’s a fabulous place to dine, I’ve yet to try it, but it was an iconic place to watch the daring youth of Nice strut their stuff. I’ve included a couple of photos of how it looked last year, just because it really was amazing and when I next go and see the finished result of the new restaurant I’ll add a picture too.
La Réserve is situated on Boulevard Franck Pilatte just after the port. Surprisingly, owing to its location, the water is always beautifully clean and clear. As with all beaches in Nice, it’s pebbly so bring your swimming shoes (get more tips on how to enjoy pebble beaches here) and be aware that as it is in the port area there can be sudden big wash from the ferries. Parking is a bit haphazard, you just have to be lucky or do as we do, go early or late but not in the middle of the day.
Have you been to la Réserve beach in Nice? What do you think of city beaches like this?
For more beach recommendations in the area check out my top 12 favourite beaches on the Côte d’Azur
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What a gorgeous place – the rocks give it such a dramatic backdrop – and my boys would love the platforms!
Those diving platforms look scary but lots of fun. I have to admit a rocky beach isn’t my idea of a good beach, but everyone seems to be enjoying it
oh wow i would lve to be there right now
When we next visit Lou Messugo we’ll try to get there – but only for swimming. No jumping off crazy rocks.
The heat is almost emanating from the screen, no wonder everybody is at the beach, trying to cool off 🙂
What an interesting place, I love all the people watching, especially with the dare-devil divers! Great looking beach.
I think that this looks amazing! I haven’t been there myself, but will certainly pop it on my list of places to see after this post!
How atmospheric watching them dive off the board and the rocks. I feel like its vintage-like with ladies in 50’s swimming costumes, that sort of elegant place to go and bathe. Beautiful.
Wow this beach is absolutely beautiful! What a lovely area to visit x
What a beautiful area to visit – we love Nice and can’t wait to visit again x
Oh I can not wait to see what they have done with the diving board, but I am not sure I could watch my kids jump!
I love it!!! It reminds me so much of a hidden cove we used to frequent on Lanzarote, in the days when no one had heard of the Canaries and it felt like our own!
The water looks fabulous, but you wouldn’t get me jumping into it from those heights wow x
I certainly didn’t know about this one phoebe. Great fun I’m sure