Plage de la Garoupe is the most celebrated beach on Cap d'Antibes and one of the most storied stretches of sand on the French Riviera. Nestled in a sheltered cove on the eastern side of the peninsula, its fine golden sand and crystal-clear turquoise water have drawn the world's elite since the 1920s, when Gerald and Sara Murphy convinced the Hotel du Cap to keep its doors open during summer and effectively invented the Riviera beach holiday.
The beach is divided into private and public sections. The private beach clubs — including the legendary Plage Keller and the more recent Plage Joseph — offer sun loungers, parasols, and full restaurant service directly on the sand. The public section, free to access, maintains the same gorgeous setting. The shallow, calm water is ideal for families, and the views from the shore take in the old town of Antibes, the Alps behind Nice, and on clear days, the distant outline of Corsica.
Parking is limited and the single-lane Chemin de la Garoupe can become congested in summer, so arriving early or by foot from the Sentier du Littoral is recommended. The beach is also the starting point for the celebrated coastal path that winds around the southern tip of the Cap.