The beaches are entirely different from what youll find along La Croisette (think shaded, secluded coves).

A sailboat is the best way to get here and the best place to sleep, too.

The entrance to Cap-dAils cove is as dramatic as the surrounding cliffs encasing the pebble beach.

People on a beach in France

Plage Paloma in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.Credit:James/Adobe Stock

to celebrate the empire’s victory over local tribes, La Turbie sits near the Italian border above Monaco.

beautiful peaceful Lerins Abbey Cistercian monastery on the island of Saint-Honorat on the French Riviera monastic community near Cannes France

Lerins Abbey Cistercian Monastery on Lerins Island.Eric/Adobe Stock

Various hotel buildings along the coast by the exclusive Paloma Beach in the bay of ‘Anse de la Scalette’ in the south of France.

Plage Paloma in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.Thomas Faull/Getty Images

France, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Theoule-sur-Mer, beach and holiday homes

Theoule-sur-Mer in France.Westend61/Getty Images

Porquerolles island, coast and beach « Notre Dame », Mediterranean sea, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France.

Porquerolles in Hyères, France.Vincent Pommeyrol/Getty Images

France, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Cap-d’Ail, Plage Mala

Plage Mala in Cap d’Ail.Westend61/Getty Images

The Mattise Chapel Facade, Vence, Cot D’Azur, France.

Mattise Chapel in Vence, France.Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Aerial view of expensive houses behind Olivette Port on the Cap d’Antibes in the French Riviera - Leisure boats in the Mediterranean Sea in the South of France

Olivette Port in Cap d’Antibes.Alexandre ROSA/Adobe Stock

Street in La Turbie

La Turbie, France.TravelWorld/Adobe Stock