Best Beaches in Juan-les-Pins: Public, Private & Hidden Coves
Juan-les-Pins is lined with gently shelving, fine-sand beaches: free public stretches at Square Gould, La Gallice, Le Dulys and along Boulevard du Littoral toward Golfe-Juan, plus nearly twenty private beach clubs. For a wilder feel, head to the small beaches of Le Croûton, Les Ondes and La Garoupe on the Cap d'Antibes side.
Fine sand is a luxury on the French Riviera, where pebbles rule. Juan-les-Pins has made it its calling card since the 1920s. The only question is where to lay your towel, so here are the beaches of the bay, from the town center toward Golfe-Juan, then around on the Cap.
Public vs. private beaches: how it works
Around the bay, the town distinguishes between two types of beach:
- Public beaches: free, and you bring your own towel and umbrella. Several have a lifeguard station in season, and some have showers and restrooms.
- Concession beaches, known as "private" beaches: beach clubs that rent out sunbeds and umbrellas and serve lunch. They take up a large share of central Juan.
According to data published by the town of Antibes, lifeguard stations on the public beaches operate during the day (usually 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) through the summer season, from June to mid-September depending on the beach . Outside those periods, swimming is unsupervised.
Public beaches in central Juan
Plage du Square Gould
At the foot of the Pinède Gould pine grove on Boulevard Édouard-Baudoin, this is the most central beach: steps from the cafés, ice-cream parlors and the shade of the pines. It has a lifeguard station in season. Ideal if you're staying in town or arriving by train.
Plage de la Gallice
Further south, next to Port Gallice, this public beach sits a little away from the bustle of the center. It has a lifeguard station in summer and a snack bar. Handy if you're driving: the paid Port Gallice parking lot (around 500 spaces) is close by.
Plages du Dulys and Épi Hollywood
Heading toward Golfe-Juan along Boulevard Charles-Guillaumont, the long public Plage du Dulys (split into several sections) is what many people call Juan's "main beach." Families get a lifeguard station in season and plenty of room. Épi Hollywood, on Boulevard Édouard-Baudoin, is a small public section squeezed between the private clubs.
Toward Golfe-Juan: the Lutetia stretch
Beyond the center, Boulevard du Littoral runs past a string of public beaches all the way to the Golfe-Juan boundary (the Lutetia section). This is often where you'll still find space in the middle of August. The town lists a lifeguard station, restrooms and a snack bar here.
Tip: parking along the boulevard fills up fast. Walk from Juan-les-Pins train station or take an Envibus bus, and aim for early morning.
Private beaches in Juan-les-Pins
For an afternoon of sunbeds, shade and table service, Juan-les-Pins has nearly twenty concession beaches, mostly on Boulevard Édouard-Baudoin, Promenade du Soleil, Boulevard Charles-Guillaumont and Boulevard du Littoral. Among them are the beach of the Hôtel Belles Rives, Plage des Pirates et de la Pinède, La Jetée, Le Ruban Bleu, Juanita and Esterel Plage.
Sunbed rental prices vary widely depending on the spot (front row or not) and the time of year . In July and August, book the day before, or several days ahead for a weekend.
On the Cap d'Antibes side: Croûton, Les Ondes and La Garoupe
Plage du Crouton and Plage des Ondes
Follow Boulevard du Maréchal-Juin south and the coastline changes: little fishing harbors, rocks, pine woods. The public beaches of Le Crouton and Les Ondes are small and quieter than those in the center. According to town data, they have no lifeguard station. The Pointe du Croûton parking lot (47 spaces) is paid in July and August.
Plage du Crouton is also the starting point for kayak trips along the Cap's rocky shoreline.
Plage de la Garoupe
On the other side of the Cap, La Garoupe is an east-facing sandy cove that gets very busy in summer. It is the focus of a redevelopment project for the "natural beaches of La Garoupe"; the tourist office says works resumed in September 2026 and are due to finish at the end of 2026, but the public beach remains open and swimming is allowed . Free parking is advertised on Boulevard André-Sella.
To link these beaches on foot, check out our article on the Cap d'Antibes coastal path.
Our partners in Juan-les-Pins
Frequently asked questions
Are the beaches in Juan-les-Pins sandy?
Yes. The bay of Juan-les-Pins is one of the few places on the French Riviera with fine sand and a gently sloping entry into the water, which families love.
Are there free beaches in Juan-les-Pins?
Yes: Plage du Square Gould, Plage de la Gallice, the Dulys beaches and the Boulevard du Littoral stretch toward Golfe-Juan, plus the Crouton and Les Ondes beaches on the Cap side.
Which beach is best with kids?
A public beach with a lifeguard station, such as Square Gould or Le Dulys. On the Antibes side, the Ponteil and La Salis beaches are also shallow and have a Handiplage accessible-beach point.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches?
Rules vary by beach and by season .
Go kayaking with Azurkay
The most beautiful coves on Cap d'Antibes can only be reached from the sea. Our 4-hour guided tour sets off from Plage du Crouton and follows the rocky coast to Billionaires' Bay, with snorkeling and supervised jumps from the rocks (up to 15 m / 50 ft, optional). Small groups of 16 max, led by state-certified instructors, for €75. To round off your beach day in a different way, head to the Kayaking at Cap d'Antibes page. And to pick your activity in the bay, see our guide to water activities in Juan-les-Pins.
