Plage naturiste des Pissarelles

A sheltered corner of the bay

Pissarelles beach nestles at the foot of steep cliffs, in the bay of Saint-Laurent, between Eze and Nice. You reach it from the housing development of the same name, on the Basse Corniche, just after the Eze-bord-de-mer tunnels.

No sand here: the ground is made of large pebbles and flat rocks, typical of this stretch of the Azure coastline. The water, on the other hand, is renowned for its clarity, and swimming is happily practiced here for a good part of the year.

The access has to be earned

Expect a few hundred meters of walking from the road to reach the cove. The path descends steeply, and quite a few visitors find it more grueling on the way back than on the way there, especially with gear for the day to carry.

Recent works have stabilized the main access, which had suffered from erosion in places. The trail remains steep nonetheless, better to bring proper shoes rather than flip flops.

An everyday atmosphere

What strikes you at Pissarelles is the mix of generations. Couples, families with children and older naturists cross paths without any fuss, in an atmosphere described as calm and welcoming rather than lively.

Nudity has been the norm here for a long time, which explains a rather regular and respectful clientele. People come here for the peace and the setting, not for entertainment.

On site

The beach has a freshwater source on the right, handy for rinsing off after swimming in salt water. Toilets have been installed recently, a real plus on such an isolated beach.

In summer, a drinks service completes the site's minimal facilities. No full food service though: those staying for the day would do well to bring their own picnic.

• Pebble and rock surface, no sand
• Freshwater source on the right side
• Recent toilets
• Drinks available in summer season
• Steep access path from the Basse Corniche

What the regulars say

Reviews from naturists who have been coming here for years mostly emphasize the setting: the cliffs plunging into the sea, the light, the feeling of being cut off from the world despite the road being so close. It's this spectacular backdrop that comes up most often in the comments.

The most cited downside remains the climb back up, considered tiring by many, especially during the hot hours. But overall, the place is still associated with a very positive experience for anyone looking for a naturist beach without frills on the Cote d'Azur.