Exploring France's gay beaches, from Saint-Tropez to Nice
France’s Mediterranean coastline is home to some of the world’s most exclusive gay-friendly beach destinations. The French Riviera remains Europe’s premier luxury beach destination, where you’ll find world-class amenities, Michelin-starred restaurants, and beautiful people emerging from yachts. We have yachts of fun every year in the Côte d’Azur.
Despite its long stretches of sunny coast, France doesn’t have a gay beach scene to rival Spain’s. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the gay beach in France that can be accessed from the biggest tourist hotspots.
Nice
Castel Plage is Nice’s best-known gay beach, located at the eastern end of Promenade des Anglais, near the Chateau on the hill. Castel Plage (on the right side of the private club facing sea) tends to be very gay on Saturday afternoon. Was wall-to-wall with guys, locals and tourists.
There are beach clubs but you don’t come here for the food: you come here because there are gay guys everywhere, a great view, not so many children, and the location itself is the main draw. The location is particularly convenient as it’s just a stone’s throw from the old town, allowing you to easily explore Nice’s historic centre before or after your beach day.
Beyond the beaches, Nice is a great destination for luxury travellers. Hotel Le Negresco exemplifies is a historic hotel and an IGTLA member property. This 5-star palace hotel features luxurious if borderline camp decor, private Neptune Beach access, and an art collection worth over €6 million. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric, Old World hotel. Nice has a gay district called Le Petit Marais Niçois, an homage to Paris’ gay district, Le Marais. Nice offers over 35 gay bars, cafes, saunas, beaches, and more to explore.
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Monaco
Saint-Laurent d’Èze Beach is considered to be the crown jewel of French gay beaches. It sits dramatically between Nice and Monaco, requiring a scenic 15-minute forest walk. This 100% gay naturist beach has been a fixture in gay travel guides since the 1980s and maintains an international reputation as one of Europe’s premier gay beach destinations.
Located 13km from Nice, access requires taking Bus #100 toward Monaco, alighting at “Parking St Laurent d’Èze,” then following a signposted trail through pine forest to reach the rocky cove beneath railway tracks. The beach operates entirely clothing-optional with crystal-clear Mediterranean waters and stunning coastal views, though visitors should bring their own supplies as no commercial facilities exist.
Monaco is one of the world’s finest luxury destinations. In between shopping, yachting and lunching, you can take a day trip to Saint-Laurent d’Èze Beach.
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Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez and the famous Pampelonne Beach represent the pinnacle of luxury gay beach culture in France. This legendary destination combines A-list exclusivity with a gay-friendly atmosphere. It’s long been the crown jewel of Mediterranean luxury travel. This is where you’ll find people like Joan Collins sailing on a yacht – her friends and courtiers (mostly gay men) may be found looking for relief on the beaches. There’s no official gay beach here but you’ll always see LGBTQ+ travellers and it’s very gay-friendly.
The beach club scene at Pampelonne is unrivalled. Nikki Beach Saint-Tropez, completely renovated in 2024, serves as the European flagship with luxury pool areas, private cabanas, and celebrity clientele. Verde Beach Club attracts the international jetset with its Moroccan shisha lounge and boho atmosphere perfect for sophisticated networking. La Réserve Ramatuelle caters to A-listers seeking pristine private beach access with Mediterranean restaurant service, while the legendary Club 55 maintains its exclusive guest list and original 1955 charm.
Luxury accommodations in Saint-Tropez cater specifically to discerning gay travellers. Villa Las Brisas offers seven bedrooms within walking distance of Pampelonne, complete with full staff service, panoramic sea views, and private gym facilities. Villa Vertigo provides contemporary luxury with cinema, spa, hammam, and heated infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Pampelonne.
Transportation options match the exclusivity: private helicopter transfers deliver guests directly to Pampelonne Beach, while yacht access with private tenders ensures seamless beach club arrivals. Luxury car services provide valet parking, eliminating the stress of Saint-Tropez’s notorious traffic.
Montpellier
Plage de Maguelone near Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone represents one of the coast’s most preserved beaches, maintaining naturist traditions since the 1960s with strong gay majority presence often marked by rainbow flags. The beach sits 800m from parking near the historic Maguelone Cathedral.
Plage du Grand Travers between Carnon and La Grande-Motte offers a wild alternative to developed resort beaches. The 3km sandy beach attracts year-round weekend crowds from Montpellier, with dunes behind providing additional privacy. This is known to be a beach where varied activities take place.
Bordeaux
Le Porge (Jenny) Beach near Bordeaux serves as “Tata Beach” – the premiere gay beach destination for southwest France’s largest city. Located 45km from Bordeaux, the beach can be accessed either via cycle paths or walking 1.2km north from main parking areas to reach dedicated gay sections.
The beach operates adjacent to La Jenny naturist centre within thick pine forest backing, providing a discreet setting for those who don’t like tan lines. Heavy weekend presence from Bordeaux makes this a major regional gathering place May through October.
This beach is an hour’s drive from Bordeaux. It’s remote, undeveloped, and intentionally wild. That’s part of what makes it a cult-favourite gay/naturist beach. You don’t stumble across it – you make a plan and go.
