10 Beach Must Haves We Regretted Not Bringing to the South of France
Nice, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and many Côte d’Azur beaches are rocky or made of smooth pebbles. Because of this, there's some things you should definitely bring if you're planning for time at the beach.
This list is ranked by how much each item would have improved our beach days or how much money we would have saved just by bringing it from home. It focuses on practical beach gear above all else. These are our forgotten essentials for South of France beach trips that we would pack first next time.
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1. Water Shoes
Water shoes are number one for a reason. Mos beaches in Nice and nearby towns are not soft sand beaches. They are covered rounded stones that look pretty in photos but feel brutal under bare feet.
We went into one souvenir shop, saw them and immediately wished we'd brought our own. We definitely weren't going to spend the exorbitant €120 that that store was charging for them.
I just wore my sandals everywhere, even when I went swimming, but pebbles shift. Rocks get slippery. Sea urchins can appear around rocky areas. Water shoes would make the walk in and out easier and safer.
Look for:
Firm rubber soles
Drainage holes
A snug fit
A heel that will not slip off
Quick-dry fabric
Here are some options to compare
2. Thick Compact Blanket or Towel
A thin travel towel is useful for backpacking. It is not great on a pebble beach.
Pebbles press through thin fabric. Though they're uniform and round, sitting too long can get uncomfortable. A thicker compact towel gives more padding without taking over the whole suitcase.
The best towel for the South of France beach is not a giant towel. It is a thicker Turkish towel, beach blanket, or compact yoga mat that dries reasonably fast and folds small enough for a day bag.
Some options to compare:
3. A Beach Bag Beats a Random Tote
We found a Monaco emblazoned beach bag when we were outside the Monte Carlo casino that someone had just lef in handy for us, but there are better bags for this purpose and I had wished I'd been more prepared.
A good beach bag needs structure. It should stand open, handle weight, and survive damp gear. Mesh is useful because pebbles and sand can fall out. A zippered pocket helps with keys and room cards.
Look for:
Wide strap
Strong seams
A zipper or inner pocket
Water-resistant fabric or mesh
Large enough for towels, etc.
Some options to compare:
Practical tip: Choose a bag that fits under a restaurant chair. Beach days in Nice often turn into long lunches after swimming.
4. Dry Bags
A dry bag sounds extra until a beach day includes kayaking, boat shuttles, paddleboarding, or swimming from a rocky cove. Then it becomes one of the most useful items in the bag. We actually used ziploc bags multiple times, and there's a better way to achieve that result.
Use dry bags for clothes, wallets, passports, paper maps, or anything that should stay dry during a splashy ride. They also help separate wet swimsuits from dry clothes as you walk around.
A 5 L to 10 L bag works for basics. A 20 L bag works better for two people or bulky towels.
Some options to compare:
5. Sweat Towels
It was so sweaty the day we went to Eze and Monaco that Dean had to buy some overpriced sweat towels from a Monaco gift shop. Summer on the Côte d’Azur can mean hot walks, crowded trains, stair climbs, and beach paths without shade. A small sweat towel keeps things more comfortable without taking up much space.
A sweat towel stays in a side pocket and handles the unglamorous parts of the day: faces, hands, necks, and train-station waits.
Good choices include cooling towels, small gym towels, and thin cotton hand towels. Quick-dry fabric is useful if it will be rinsed at the hotel sink.
Some options to compare:
Practical tip: Pack two small towels. One can dry while the other goes back into the beach bag.
6. Sanitizing Wipes and Cooling Wipes
You can get face cleaning wipes and sanitizing wipes from the dollar store. We had to buy some cooling wipes and they were much pricier though still reasonable. They really came in handy.
Sanitizing wipes handle hands before eating and surfaces that need a quick clean.Cooling wipes are useful after a hot walk back from the beach or before sitting down for lunch. They are not a replacement for water or shade, but they make heat feel less irritating.
Pack both types if space allows. Some options to compare:
Practical tip: These products weren't expensive on our trip. We needed some and found ones that worked well, but if you can find a product you like before you go on your trip, you'll feel comfort with how your skin reacts and won't be surprised by formulas you buy on the go.
7. A Corkscrew
Buying wine in France is easy. It's everywhere but most bottles aren't twist tops. Opening it on a beach picnic is not easy without a corkscrew.
A simple corkscrew can save an evening picnic in Villefranche, Antibes, or along the Promenade des Anglais. It also avoids the awkward hunt for a shopkeeper, hotel bar, or stranger with an opener.
Pack it in checked luggage if flying. Corkscrews with blades can be restricted in carry-on bags.
Options to compare:
Practical tip: Choose a small waiter’s corkscrew. Even if it's a little harder to use, they fit in a picnic pouch.
8. Medications
We needed Tylenol and Gravol on the go and didn't bring them with us in the first place. This was an oversight, but pharmacy trips can add up quickly and you can't be sure you're getting what you really need. Here's a checklist of over the counter meds you should always consider bringing on a trip:
Tylenol or Ibuprofen
Gravol or Dramamine
Laxatives
Immodium
Reactin
Electrolyte packets
Blister care
The right list depends on personal health needs.
9. Wet Bags
A wet bag is different from a dry bag. A dry bag keeps water out. A wet bag keeps wet items contained.
Use them for swimsuits, damp towels, water shoes, or clothes that picked up salt and sweat. It is also useful on travel days when checkout comes before one last swim.
A zippered wet bag is easier to pack than a plastic grocery bag and more reliable after repeated use.
Some options to compare:
10. Swim Goggles
The water in many South of France beach towns is clear enough to make swimming more interesting. Swim goggles make it easier to enjoy rocky coves, watch footing near stones, and avoid irritated eyes after repeated swims.
We saw these in a local shop and again, they were exorbitantly priced. They take up little space, so you might as well bring your own.
Some options to compare:
Seriously, You'll Want Water Shoes
My sandals are rubber, but they weren't great. I felt so unstable walking on those beaches. Especially in the water. The best single item is still water shoes. They change the beach experience right away on rocky shores. After that, pack for comfort, wet gear, and simple picnics. The South of France is easy to enjoy when the basics are working.
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