Plage de la Darse Beach, Villefranche-sur-Mer

A family friendly pebble beach with good snorkelling

featured in Beaches Updated 12 June 2023

Plage de la Darse is a secret beach, hidden from view and discretely signposted. It never gets very busy because so few people know that it’s there - so keep it on the down-low if you plan to head here.

It’s only a short walk from the main beach of Plage des Mariniers, hidden away behind the wall at Port de la Darse. There is a snack bar and a couple of restaurants just a few minutes walk away at the port.

Setting & Location

Situated in the area of Port de la Darse, just a short walk from Villefranche.

Water Safety & Clarity

The beach itself is small and sheltered with calm water; the sea is so clear here that you can see small silver fish swimming around your legs. The entry into the water is gradual and shallow with fine gravelly stones underfoot, good paddling for children and great visibility for snorkelling.

There is one beach shower here but no toilets or lifeguards.

Beach Quality

The pebbles on the beach can be big and hard on the feet, so bring the rubber shoes with you and maybe a mat to put under your beach towel.

Directions

To find it you need to follow the road round the port, past the restaurant “Le Cockpit” and look out on your left for a footpath called “Promenade des Professeurs”. The path leads to the lighthouse but about halfway along is a staircase leading to the beach.

There is no parking here, so either leave your car in Villefranche or take bus no.80 and get off at Darse-Capitainerie.