March 27, 2025, 5:58 p.m. | Reading time: 6 minutes
When you think of the Côte d’Azur, you probably immediately think of the glamorous cities of Nice, Cannes and Monaco. But apart from the much-visited hotspots, a celebrity like the Côte d'Azur also offers hidden bays, charming villages and untouched nature. Some of them could almost be counted among the best-kept secrets of the French southern coast. Sunnytrips reveals where these places are hidden and gives valuable tips for a holiday on the Côte d’Azur.
The Côte d’Azur does one thing above all very well: glamor and luxury. But if you only limit the south coast of France to that, you're making a mistake, because there are still some unknown places here too. Hidden bays, idyllic mountain villages and relaxing nature lie among the insider tips - without the stressful crowds! Sunnytrips presents the surprisingly untouched side of the Côte d’Azur and reveals valuable insider tips for a holiday on the south coast of France.
1. Porquerolles – the largest island of the Îles d’Hyères
2. Cassis – the fishing village with the steep cliffs
3. Cap Taillat – on the Saint-Tropez peninsula
4. Sainte-Agnès – the mountain village with sea views
5. Calanque de Port-Pin – a bay with a fantastic beach
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1. Porquerolles – the largest island of the Îles d’Hyères
The mainland of the Côte d’Azur is undoubtedly a dream and yet islands always have a very special charm. Porquerolles is located in the French Riviera and belongs to the Hyères archipelago. This is located in front of the coastal town of Toulon. The ferries that regularly visit the small island in summer also leave from here. The journey takes about an hour and tickets are available for around 30 euros. Alternatively, the crossing from Hyères only takes 25 minutes. Although Porquerolles is the main island of the group, it is a rather small island, measuring seven kilometers long and three kilometers wide. However, be careful not to underestimate them because of their size! In addition to numerous coastal hiking trails, it also offers hidden bays with beautiful beaches. There are also vineyards and olive groves inside the island. Our tip: The island is best explored on foot or by bike. Plage Notre Dame is considered one of the most beautiful beaches.
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2. Cassis – the fishing village with the steep cliffs
Located east of Marseille, the fishing village of Cassis is located directly on the coast. It is one of the most beautiful villages of its kind and there are several reasons for this. Nestled between steep cliffs and a charming harbor with colorful fishing boats and elegant yachts, it represents the atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur particularly well. At least the Côte d’Azur as it once was. It is often said that Cassis is reminiscent of St. Tropez in the 1960s and there is nothing more to add to that. The waterfront promenade is lined with cozy cafes, restaurants and small boutiques and above, a majestic medieval fortress watches over the small village. The area around Cassis is also very suitable for hiking, kayaking and, above all, swimming. Our tip: Another special feature are the impressive calanques of Cassis. They describe fjord-like bays in which the most beautiful of all beaches are hidden.
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3. Cap Taillat – on the Saint-Tropez peninsula
The most beautiful beaches on the coast are not directly on it, but in front of it! An insider tip of the Côte d’Azur is hidden on the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Cap Taillat is part of a nature reserve and lies between Cap Lardier and Cap Camarat. The caps are only separated by a sandy isthmus. Due to its location, Cap Taillat offers magnificent views of the islands of Hyères and the other two caps are also beautiful to look at from here. There are also several wonderful beaches here with light, soft sand. Our tip: You should definitely visit the Plage de Cap Taillat, the Plage d'Estagnol and the Plage Notre Dame! We recommend staying for an entire day.
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4. Sainte-Agnès – the mountain village with sea views
The medieval mountain village of Sainte-Agnès is surprisingly well preserved and consists of small stone houses and narrow streets. Located on the hills behind the town of Menton, it is so high above sea level that it is considered the highest coastal village in Europe. The 800 meters altitude also ensures that Sainte-Agnès offers breathtaking views of the sea. The military past, which is due to the strategic location, left the village with the ruins of a castle. You can also marvel at the Fort de Sainte-Agnes here. They describe a fortress built into the rock, part of the Maginot Line, built in the early 1930s. It was once used to repel Italian attacks during World War II. The fortress is also equipped with underground passages and has a cellar for the village with a depth of more than fifty-five meters. Our tip: The fort can be visited for a small entrance fee. The churches and chapels of Sainte-Agnès are also worth seeing.
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5. Calanque de Port-Pin – a bay with a fantastic beach
After a short descent on foot, the hills reveal a bay that is almost too beautiful to be true. The last insider tip on the Côte d’Azur is called Calanque de Port-Pin and describes a beach that you would expect to find in Asia. The water is crystal clear and shimmers in light turquoise, the sand is soft and almost white. There is no kiosk down here and you will also look in vain for sanitary facilities and other luxuries here. And maybe that's a good thing, because the place would run the risk of losing its untouchedness. Our tip: A similar but better visited place is just a few minutes away by car and is called Calanque d'En Vau. The Calanques are in the middle of nowhere and so the address of the nearest refreshment restaurant is La Presqu’île.
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