Sea views, long lunches, and Riviera living at Castel Plage
@ Castel Plage
At the far end of the Promenade des Anglais, where the city gradually gives way to the coastline and Castle Hill rises above the sea, Castel Plage offers a different side of Nice.
Removed from the faster pace of the centre yet only moments away from it, the beach club has become one of those places where an entire day can disappear without much effort at all.
There is a reason beach clubs remain such a part of Riviera culture. They are not about rushing from one thing to the next. The best ones create a rhythm of their own, arriving late morning, lingering over lunch and losing track of time somewhere between the sea and the sun.
The perfect start to the day
By late morning, the beach has already settled into its flow. Sunbeds begin filling, coffees are arriving at tables and the soundtrack is a mix of conversation and waves rolling onto the shore.
An iced coffee quickly becomes the ideal start to the day. There is something about sitting by the Mediterranean with nowhere particular to be that immediately changes the pace. Emails and schedules suddenly feel less urgent and attention naturally shifts towards the water stretching out in front of you.
That is one of the luxuries of spending a day somewhere like Castel Plage, not extravagance, but time itself.
More than a beach club
Part of Castel Plage’s appeal goes beyond the beach itself. Over the years, it has become woven into the landscape of Nice, earning its place as one of the city’s recognisable waterfront addresses. Sitting beneath Castle Hill and between the Old Town and the Bay of Angels, the setting feels connected to the character of the city itself.
Its identity also extends into art and design, with Art Deco influences and references to local artists and sculptors helping shape its personality. More than simply a place to spend an afternoon by the sea, Castel Plage reflects the wider Riviera culture where art, architecture and coastal living naturally exist side by side.
Lunch above the water
When lunchtime arrives, there are options depending on the mood of the day. Guests can remain comfortably settled at the beach and continue enjoying the atmosphere from their sunbeds, or head next door to Les Bains du Castel.
Built directly into the rocks overlooking the sea, the restaurant feels almost suspended above the Mediterranean. With uninterrupted views across the water, it offers a slightly different experience while still feeling connected to the relaxed spirit of the beach below.
Coastal flavours and sea views
On the Riviera, lunch has always been more than a quick stop in the middle of the day. It is part of the experience itself.
A Gambas dish proved to be a highlight, fresh, full of flavour and exactly the kind of meal suited to a long lunch beside the sea. Combined with the setting, it felt like the sort of afternoon that reminds you why people continue returning to the South of France year after year.
Ending the day where it started
After lunch, the day naturally drifts back towards the beach. Returning to the sunbeds, the afternoon unfolds without much structure, and that is entirely the point.
Castel Plage does not rely on trying too hard. It works because it understands something the Riviera has always done well: creating space to slow down. Sometimes the best days are simply good coffee, a long lunch, sea views and a little more time than expected spent under the sun.
For bookings visit: Castel Plage