The Côte d’Azur is, among other things, a summer playground for the fashionable and glamorous. With so many luxury beach clubs to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to spend your summer days. One club that stands out above the rest is La Réserve à la Plage on the famous Pampelonne Beach.
As soon as we arrived by golf cart from the remote parking lot (this service is offered by several of the Pampelonne beach clubs), we knew we were in for a treat. Designed by Philippe Starke, this elegant beach club features rattan light fixtures, tastefully tiki-inspired architecture, and an open-air bar. This combined with live DJ music created the perfect ambiance for a day of luxurious relaxation à la plage.
We started our visit with a delicious lunch, accompanied by refreshing cocktails and chilled rosé wine. My personal favorite was a kiwi basil gin cocktail, which was a delightful and unexpected, vibrant green twist on a classic drink. As we enjoyed our meal, we watched models strut their stuff between tables, showcasing bathing suits, hats, and chic outfits from Tropezian designs sold at the boutique.
The food was just as impressive as the fashion. We started with the table-side guacamole, which is a must-try. The salmon tiradito with lime and wasabi was so refreshing, especially on a hot summers day. Since we were at the beach, we both had a craving for fresh seafood. I opted for the grilled spincy lobster with golden house-made fries and mayonnaise. Another standout dish was my husband’s crab salad, which was topped with huge pieces of succulent crab leg meat.
After lunch, we headed over to the beach to bask in the sun on the giant double sunbed. The crystal blue waters of Pampelonne Beach were simply stunning. We ordered another round of kiwi cocktails and soaked up the sun while watching the mega yachts and giant sailboats bobbing offshore. Zodiac boats took people between the beach and boats, adding to the allure and excitement of the experience.
All in all, La Réserve à la Plage is the perfect place to spend a day in the south of France if you’re looking for five-star luxury and glam on the beach. From the stunning design to the delicious food and drink to the crystal blue waters, it truly has no comparison. There are other beach clubs along the Pampelonne beach but many of them have more of a party scene, so if you’re looking for a sophisticated and refined beach club experience, this is one not to miss.
Note: La Réserve à la Plage provided support for the reporting of this story.