Cavalière Beach
Golden sand, turquoise water, Blue Flag Provence coast
About
Plage de Cavalière stretches roughly 450 metres along the Var coast near Le Lavandou, backed by the forested ridgelines of the Massif des Maures. The golden sand is soft underfoot, and the water runs a clear turquoise that makes swimming an easy pleasure. It holds Blue Flag status, so water quality is monitored and facilities are maintained to a reliable standard. The vibe is relaxed rather than showy — families and couples share the shore without the circus atmosphere of bigger Riviera names. It's open around the clock, every day of the year.
How to get there
From the CD 559 heading towards Saint-Tropez, the beach is a five-minute drive and signposted clearly. You can also arrive by ferry — TLV operates a service — or, remarkably, by seaplane. Parking comes in two flavours: street parking and a public underground car park, both paid in peak season with some free options available. Note that the underground car park hosts a flea market on Sundays, and on Mondays between June and September market activity means parking there is unavailable — plan accordingly.
Who it's for
For couples
The relaxed pace and 24/7 access mean you can slip down for a late-evening walk on the golden sand when the beach is nearly empty — a genuinely quiet moment on a coast that rarely offers them.
For families
Safe swimming, easy access, Blue Flag water quality, and on-site dining at Les Canetons make this a low-stress family day out; the underground car park (when the flea market isn't running) keeps the logistics simple.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Cavalière doesn't try to compete with the glitzier names further east along the Côte d'Azur, and that's exactly its appeal. The golden sand is genuine, the turquoise water is clean enough to hold a Blue Flag, and the Massif des Maures gives the whole place a wilder, less manicured backdrop than you'd expect this close to Saint-Tropez. The 24/7 access is an underrated asset — arrive at dawn or linger past sunset and the beach is a different place entirely. Skip August if you can; the beach handles moderate visitor numbers well but peak summer tips it into something less enjoyable. The seaplane and ferry access options are a nice reminder that the French Riviera still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Come for the calm water, stay for the cycling tunnel and the islands offshore.
What to do
The Massif des Maures rises directly behind the beach, offering natural forests and hiking trails you can reach on foot. The Ancien Tunnel Ferroviaire de Cavalière, an old railway tunnel converted into a cycling path with sea views, is right on the doorstep and worth an hour of your time. Further afield, the Îles d'Or — three islands about 25 kilometres out — reward a boat trip with hiking, cycling, and underwater trails. Le Lavandou village is effectively at the beach's edge, so wandering into town for the evening is effortless.
The view from the waterline back towards the Massif des Maures — golden sand in the foreground, dark forested peaks behind — is the defining shot.
The Ancien Tunnel Ferroviaire de Cavalière cycling path frames the sea through old stone archways and rewards anyone willing to walk five minutes from the shore. Early morning turquoise water with no swimmers yet is the cleanest, most shareable version of this beach.
Where to eat
Les Canetons sits right on the beach at 0 km, making it the easiest lunch stop after a swim. Plage Restaurant Le Cannier is 100 metres away and La Voile de Cavalière a short 200-metre stroll — both give you sea-facing options without committing to a long walk. For something more resort-style, Hôtel Le Club de Cavalière & Spa is 500 metres back from the shore.
Where to stay
Hôtel Lily of the Valley is the standout option in the area, rated 4.6 out of 5 across 810 reviews and located 14 kilometres from the beach. It's a solid base if you want a polished stay while day-tripping to Cavalière and the surrounding Var coast.
Photography
Shoot from the waterline at golden hour looking back towards the Massif des Maures — the forested ridgeline above the golden sand makes a frame you won't get on most Riviera beaches. Early morning, before the beach fills, gives you clean turquoise water and uncluttered foreground with the softest light of the day.
Good to know
Swimming is safe here, but stay aware of ferry and boat traffic near the access lanes, especially if you're swimming with children. The beach is open 24/7, which makes early-morning swims before the daytrippers arrive genuinely special — golden sand, turquoise water, and almost no one else. August is peak season and the beach gets noticeably packed; if you have flexibility, June, July, or September give you the same beauty with far fewer visitors. True digital-detox spot — bring offline books, the cell signal fades and there's nowhere to plug in a laptop.
Map
Nearby places
La Voile de Cavalière
Les Canetons
Le Surplage Grill
Hôtel Le Club de Cavalière & Spa
Plage Restaurant Le Cannier
Hôtel Lily of the Valley
Hôtel Lily of the Valley
Things to see around Le Lavandou
Îles d'Or
Three islands with hiking, cycling, underwater trails, accessible by boat.
Massif des Maures
Mountain range with natural forests and hiking trails.
Ancien Tunnel Ferroviaire de Cavalière
Old railway tunnel converted to cycling path with sea views.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
Other relaxed beaches in France
More beaches in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Albert Labrède · source · Public Domain
- Photo 2 — Albert Labrède · source · Public Domain
- Photo 3 — Paul-Edouard Pinot · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 4 — 4net · source · CC BY 3.0