The most beautiful river bathing sites on the Côte d’Azur

Summer is here and the sun is weighing heavily on the Côte d’Azur. To keep cool while avoiding the hustle and bustle of the Mediterranean beaches, the locals have their own solution. Like them, opt for the thirty or so streams, lakes and rivers that await you in the heart of nature! Multiply your freshwater escapades with our selection of the 5 most beautiful natural swimming spots on the Côte d’Azur.

1. Vésubie valley, the Marmites de la Bollène

photo credit Paulumusic

Dive headlong into this superb emerald pool. It takes its name from the “big pot” shape carved out of the rock. As well as refreshing you, a visit to this site will restore your childhood spirit. The waterfall is transformed into a giant 15-metre slide. Let yourself slide, 1 time, 2 times, 15 times… It’s up to you.

2. Vallée de la Vésubie, l’Aune de l’éléphant

photo credit Le Journal des petits coins de paradis en France

This idyllic spot combines abundant nature with crystal-clear water. Once there, you’ll notice how the shape of the rock draws an elephant whose trunk plunges into the natural pool. It has to be said, the setting is charming. You can relax for a long time in this intimate setting where romance hangs in the air.

3. The Planfae oasis

photo credit L’internaute

If you love canyoning and wilderness, this is the natural site for you. Here, you’ll find a bucolic setting enhanced by a beautiful pebble beach. The atmosphere here will give you the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. Watch the clear waters of the stream of the same name flow by and relax to the full.

4. Vallée du Loup, Les Rives du loup

photo credit Département des Alpes-Maritimes

Fall in love with this magnificent bathing spot set in a 55-hectare nature park. Here you’ll find a small coastal river with frequent torrents. The river rises in the Grasse foothills. Just outside the village of Bar-sur-Loup, you’ll find a pebbled bank with gently flowing water.

5. The Roudoule gorges

photo credit Destination Côte d’Azur France

This is the ideal place to relax on the Côte d’Azur. Head to the outskirts of Puget-Théniers to discover a multitude of lakes. The area is lined with smooth slabs bathed in sunlight. Their purpose is to slow the descent of the waters from the Roudoule gorges. It’s the perfect place for an invigorating dip in the sweltering Côte d’Azur heat.