2021 Blue Flag Beaches for the Côte d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur is used to proudly flying numerous Blue Flags, the symbol of clean, top beaches. But this year we have a few less...

The blue flag flies at Saint-Clair beach in Le Lavandou in the Var. Photo: Aila Stoeckmann

Wherever the Blue Flag flies, bathers can expect clean water. The environmental label of the organisation FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) was created in 1987 and every year distinguishes not only beaches but also harbours where a sustainable tourism policy is pursued. Today, the Blue Flag is present in 49 countries on all continents and has become a reference in the fields of tourism, environment and sustainable development.

Across France, there are more environmental blue flags this year than in 2020, but in the Alpes-Maritimes, seven fewer flags are flying than before. Instead of 26 beaches, only 19 are rewarded for their cleanliness. The neighbouring county of Var, on the other hand, shines with 58 exemplary beaches.

This flag flies on the awarded beaches

A Blue Flag guarantees that the sea and the beach are clean, that there are containers for waste and that bathers are safe. The guidelines of the label must be observed throughout the bathing season. Conversely, a beach without an eco-flag is not automatically less clean. Some municipalities cannot afford or do not want to meet the strict requirements of the FEE. Considering the massive hit to tourism revenue, it could be a leading factor in this year's drop.

The following beaches in the Alpes-Maritimes lost their Blue Flag for 2021:

Cannes: Gare Marchandises, Midi, Moure Rouge, Gazagnaire

Antibes: Antibes les Pins Est

Vallauris: Midi

Mandelieu: Les sables d'or.

How does France fare overall?

In 2021, 4,040 beaches were awarded the Blue Flag in 49 countries worldwide. In France, 410 stretches of beach in 196 municipalities and 115 harbours were awarded. Across Europe, the Hexagon is in fourth place.

Here are the 2021 Blue Flag beaches:

Alpes-Maritimes

• Antibes: Antibes-les-Pins Ouest, Fontonne Est, Fontonne Ouest, Fort Carré, Les Groules, Marineland

• Cannes: Chantiers navals, Trou (Roubine), Font de Veyre, Ile Sainte Marguerite Est, Ile Sainte Marguerite Ouest, Riou (plage de la Nadine), Rochers de la Bocca, Saint-Georges, Sud Aviation

• Nice: Castel, Saint Hélène, Magnan, Galion

Var

• Bandol: Plage du Grand Vallat, Plage du Casino, Plage Centrale et Plage Renécros

• Hyères: Ayguade, Almanarre Nord, La Bergerie, Les Salins

• La Croix-Valmer: Gigaro, La Douane

• La Londe-les Maures: L'Argentière, Miramar, Tamaris

• La Seyne-sur-Mer: Sablettes Centre, Sablettes Est

• Le Lavandou: Anglade, Lavandou ville, Saint Clair, Cavalière, la Fossette, Aiguebelle, Pramousquier

• Le Pradet: Les Bonnettes, La Garonne, Le Monaco, Les Oursinières

• Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer: Plage Canadel, Plage Pramousquier, Plage Rayol

• Roquebrune-sur-Argens: San Peire, Gaillarde

• Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer: La Coudoulière, Plage de La Vieille, Touring Club, Le Canon

• Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer: Les Lecques Saint Come Ouest, La Madrague

• Saint-Raphaël: Péguière, Veillat, Boulouris, Dramont, Camp Long, Agay, Pourrousset, Baumette, Anthéor

• Sainte-Maxime: Plage Garonnette, Plage La Croisette, Plage La Nartelle, Plage du Centre-ville

• Six-Fours-les-Plages: Bonnegrace Kennedy, Bonnegrace Centre, Plage du Cros, La Coudoulière, Les Roches Brunes

• Toulon: Anse Mistral, Lido, Source Ouest

-AS/SL