Que de parasols sur les plages - Juan-les-Pins

Tourism statistics for the Côte d’Azur suggest that between 60,000 (low season) and 600,000 (high season) visit the area. No statistics seem to exist on the number of beach umbrellas that open and spread with the summer months.

Locals grumble about the inconvenience of the waves of visitors and pets or the increase in traffic and nightlife, but the place scintillates!

The day begins early at the beaches of Juan-les-Pins. City workers clean beaches and wash down boardwalks.

By 9 a.m., beach goers begin to arrive at this public beach near the west end of the boardwalk. By noon, the place is jammed packed with tourists.

The private beaches (owned by the city but rented out) have restaurants, dressing rooms and comfortable lounge chairs. Not to mention brightly colored umbrellas. Here, for 15 euros a day, you can bask in the luxury of having space, access to food, drink and bathrooms and avoid the crowds. This is vacation after all.

The beach restaurants (which also have the lounge chairs), with parasols, enable diners to eat lunch and dinner with feet in the sand.

The umbrellas contribute to the festive atmosphere (as does the sun). In a way, everyone hates to see it come to a close in late August.


My Note:

Probably one of the more spectacular views is from the Plage de la Salis, a public beach that overlooks the old city of Antibes. But best to arrive early. It's difficult to find a space to put your towel.

Summer will be hot, but not just anything goes on the Côte d’Azur

“Summer will be Hot,” Performed by Eric Charden Hey Even if it rains, it will be a hot summer In t-shirts, bathing suits From the Cote d’Azur to Saint Malo "L'été s'ra chaud" Hey Même s'il pleut l'été s'ra chaud, Dans les t-shirts dans les maillots, D'la Côte d'Azur à Saint-Malo Summers on the Côte d’Azur evoke topless beaches, a glass of rosé and a dip in the Mediterranean at the end of the day . . . pebble beaches . . . and the ubiquitous dog! But wait. . . a recent article the Nice Matin pointed out rules and regulations and fines.

For example, indecent exposure (bare chest or bathing suit) in town can lead to a 38-euro fine. And there is a reason for this. Some years ago, seaside business owners complained—scantily clad beachgoers walking around town were driving away business. Most likely, this was not in reference to supermodels. . . . And that glass of wine . . . . No drinking on the beaches in Nice between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. However, right across the boardwalk, you have plenty of restaurants and bars, particularly in the Old City. A late-night dip in the sea. . . .That too carries a fine. In Nice, the beaches are closed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. (1,500-euro fine).

And the pooch—France, which is a dog-friendly country, has set limits (38-euro fine unless dogs are allowed, and 35-euro fine for dog litter). And probably the most surprising rule, you can be fined 38 euros for picking up a souvenir beach pebble. Although readers complained about the lack of restrictions on the towel-to-towel vendors, who tread among bathers, hawking massages or hats, sunglasses and bracelets, some cities now have rules that prohibit these activities.

Yes, it’s one hot summer. And as one reader pointed out, to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer on the beach in the evening and a dip in the sea would cost him 1500 + 38 euros in fines. Most likely, these rules will be nearly impossible to enforce. Still, you might want to keep some euros in change. . . .just in case you pocket that beach pebble without thinking. What do you think about restrictions? Photos: Crowded public beaches v. private beaches at Juan-les-Pins.