West of central Antibes, Ponteil beach is a long curve of silky, white sand that stretches about a kilometre from Royal Beach Restaurant in the east to the Antibes Yacht Club where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards or learn to sail. The next beach west is Plage de la Salis.

The bay is calm and sheltered from harsh winds by Old Antibes on one end and Cap d'Antibes several kilometres to the west. The water is shallow for quite a distance, making it a pleasant and safe beach for kids.

Along the beach runs a pedestrian promenade with tree-shaded benches. It's one of Antibes' most beautiful beaches and is entirely free. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to mid-September and the beach is handicapped accessible.

The only caveat is the cleanliness of the water. After several difficult years, Ponteil beach has been posting good results in 2019. (source: baignades.sante.gouv.fr/)

Hotel Pick

Hotel Josse ***

Access

Plage de Ponteil is an easy beach to access. A long parking lot stretches along the beach, discreetly hidden behind trees. Parking is free from September 16 to June 14. Thereafter, it costs €3 for a slot from 8am to 2pm or from 2 to 7pm or €5 for the entire day.

Book a train to Antibes with thetrainline. From the train station, take the #2 bus to Eden Roc and get off at the Ilette stop. The bus runs hourly from Monday to Saturday and is a 15-minute ride. Check the schedules at Envibus.

Dining

There is the classy beach-restaurant, Royal Beach, for fine dining on the water or, at the other end, a kiosk, Poseidon, that serves up decent sandwiches, salads and hot dishes. Nearby is a pizzeria, tea salon, brasserie and more.

Facilities

There are beach showers stretches along the water line. Public toilets are in the Antibes Yacht Club.