Sun, Sails & Secret Savings on the Côte d’Azur

The Côte d’Azur may be best known for yachts and celebrities, but for families in the know, it’s a surprisingly affordable place to enjoy summer fun. Nearly every town along this coast has a Centre Nautique Municipal, offering well-organized, low-cost weekly camps and daily rentals for activities like sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Our kids did a weeklong sailing camp with Cannes Jeunesse – Base Nautique du Mourre Rouge, right on the Bay of Cannes, for just €190. Safe, bilingual, and brilliantly run, it was the highlight of our summer.

Sail School at the Municipal Nautical Center: The kids learning the ropes on the water.

Learning to sail from the sand up: Kids’ camps at Cannes Jeunesse are well-run and bilingual.

While the kids were mastering their jibes and knots, we explored the quieter side of the Riviera. Mandelieu-la-Napoule was our home base—an easy, charming town west of Cannes with public beaches, beach shacks, and relaxed hillside rentals. We watched July 4th fireworks over the harbor, picnicked with grocery store pastries that looked like art, and snuck away for a couple of nights at Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes for some well-earned luxury. We also scoped out Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa and Hôtel Belle Plage, both with that perfect blend of boutique character and Riviera flair.

Historic Château de la Napoule right on the beach—perfect for a lazy paddle over or picnic nearby.

Postcard-perfect water and public beaches with soft sand and safe breakwaters for kids.

Cannes itself is touristy but fun—great for an afternoon or fancy dinner—but the real magic lies just outside of it. You’ll find authentic flavors, easygoing beaches, and plenty of space for kids to roam (and parents to relax). This is the kind of trip where you build sandcastles in the morning, have sushi on your terrace for lunch, and toast the sunset with local rosé and a full heart.

Street strolls in Cannes: A lively evening walking through bustling restaurant alleys

Decisions, decisions. The hardest part of vacation? Picking a gelato flavor.

Aperitif in style: Aperol spritz and charcuterie with a view (and enough dessert for a small army)

• Booking nautical activities: Look up “Centre Nautique Municipal” + town name. We booked directly through Cannes Jeunesse. They offer weekly sailing courses and daily rentals in the summer.

• Language and safety: Most instructors speak English. Programs follow a standardized French curriculum with top safety standards.

• Pricing: Weekly sailing camp from €190. Paddleboards from €15, windsurf boards from €25, and catamarans from €40.

• Transport: Trains run along the coast, but a car is helpful for families.

• Dining: Some of our best meals came from grocery stores and local food stands. Don’t overthink it—everything’s good.

• Accommodations: Fora clients can enjoy perks at several hotels in the region.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our French Riviera page.