⚠️ What to know before you set off
Rules change every year. Before you travel, remember to contact the town hall or tourist office of the commune concerned to confirm. This guide is up to date for summer 2026.
🌊 West — Villeneuve-Loubet to Saint-Laurent-du-Var
The dog-friendly stretch of the Alpes-Maritimes coast starts at Villeneuve-Loubet.
Plage de Vaugrenier — Villeneuve-Loubet
✅ AllowedOne of the most popular beaches in the 06 for dog owners. Ideal for a swim before or after a walk. Private area near the port in summer.
Plage du Port / Maona — Saint-Laurent-du-Var
✅ AllowedA special feature: swimming is forbidden for humans (close to the port) but allowed for dogs. Handy if you are in the Cap 3000 area.
Plage de l'Hippodrome — Cagnes-sur-Mer
✅ AllowedDog area on groyne no. 1, the westernmost. Town hall contact: 04 93 22 19 00.
🌊 Centre — Nice and surroundings
Plage de Lenval (Site de la Lanterne) — Nice
✅ AllowedClose to the Promenade des Anglais, an area marked out by two statues. One of the only two beaches in Nice that are genuinely open to dogs.
Plage de l'Ange Gardien — Villefranche-sur-Mer
✅ AllowedA small, intimate cove in an unspoilt setting, not very busy. One of the nicest in the area for a calm outing.
Plage Pointe des Douaniers Est — Cap-d'Ail
✅ AllowedA discreet spot reached by steps. Ideal for avoiding the crowds. Contact: 04 92 10 59 59.
🌊 East — Roquebrune to Menton
Plage du Golfe Bleu — Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
✅ AllowedOne of the nicest in the département. Dog area at the western end. Contact: 04 92 10 48 48.
Plage pour les Chiens & Plage du Casino — Menton
✅ AllowedMenton sets an example, with a beach officially dedicated to dogs. Lovely view of the hills and Italy. Access by steps from the port.
🏝️ The Îles de Lérins — Off the coast of Cannes
Île Sainte-Marguerite & Île Saint-Honorat
✅ All coves allowedA true dog-friendly paradise: all the beaches and coves on both islands are open to dogs on the lead. More than 28 spots listed. Boat shuttle from Cannes.
🏞️ Alternatives: rivers and lake
When the beaches are too busy, the rivers of the 06 are an excellent alternative for cooling your dog off away from the bustle.
The Esteron — Le Broc / Gilette
✅ OpenSentier de la Brague — Valbonne / Biot
✅ OpenLa Mourachonne — Mouans-Sartoux
✅ OpenChemin de l'Écluse — Pégomas
✅ OpenLac de Saint-Cassien — Tanneron (06/83 border)
✅ AllowedA reservoir lake with turquoise water. Dogs are allowed on the lead and swimming is permitted. 30-40 min from Antibes / Cannes.
🐾 Behaviour tips
📋 Full summary
| Place | Type | Summer status | How busy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plage de Vaugrenier (Villeneuve-Loubet) | Pebbles | ✅ Allowed | ●●● |
| Plage Maona (St-Laurent-du-Var) | Pebbles | ✅ Allowed | ●●○ |
| Plage de l'Hippodrome (Cagnes-sur-Mer) | Pebbles | ✅ Allowed | ●●○ |
| Plage de Lenval (Nice) | Pebbles | ✅ Allowed | ●●● |
| Plage de l'Ange Gardien (Villefranche) | Cove | ✅ Allowed | ●○○ |
| Plage Pointe des Douaniers (Cap-d'Ail) | Rocks | ✅ Allowed | ●○○ |
| Plage du Golfe Bleu (Roquebrune) | Pebbles | ✅ Allowed | ●●○ |
| Plage pour les Chiens (Menton) | Pebbles | ✅ Allowed | ●●○ |
| Îles de Lérins (Cannes) | Coves | ✅ Allowed | ●●● |
| Lac de Saint-Cassien | Lake | ✅ Allowed | ●●● |
| Antibes, Cannes, Juan-les-Pins | — | ❌ Not allowed | — |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Which beaches allow dogs in the Alpes-Maritimes in summer?
In the 06, the beaches where dogs are allowed in summer are: the Plage de Vaugrenier in Villeneuve-Loubet, the Plage du Port/Maona in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, the Plage de l'Hippodrome in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Plage de Lenval in Nice, the Plage de l'Ange Gardien in Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Plage Pointe des Douaniers in Cap-d'Ail, the Plage du Golfe Bleu in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, and the beaches of Menton. The Îles de Lérins (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) also welcome dogs in all their coves.
Are dogs allowed on the beaches of Antibes and Cannes in summer?
No. In Antibes, Cannes, Juan-les-Pins, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Mandelieu-la-Napoule and Théoule-sur-Mer, dogs are strictly forbidden on the beaches in summer, even on the lead. The fine can range from €11 to €38.
Can you swim with your dog in the Lac de Saint-Cassien?
Yes. The Lac de Saint-Cassien, on the border between the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var (near Tanneron), is open to dogs on the lead, and swimming is allowed. Allow 30 to 40 minutes by car from Antibes or Cannes.
Which rivers can you visit with your dog in the 06?
Several waterways are open to dogs in the Alpes-Maritimes: the Esteron at Le Broc/Gilette, the Sentier de la Brague between Valbonne and Biot, the Mourachonne at Mouans-Sartoux, and the Chemin de l'Écluse at Pégomas along the Siagne.
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