European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 29, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                On the be Ach. Cote d Azur. Beach hop with Rich and famous from Saint Lopez to Monaco by Mark Kinkade staff writer there is one thing to remember before booking that we Klong vac in on the Cote d Azur contrary to popular belief it is not one Long stretch of. Sond filled with thong bikinis Sun tanned pectorals and cold drinks with umbrellas in them. But it is close. From Saint Tropez to Monaco the beaches of Southern France have earned a reputation As a Sun worshipper s Paradise. Media images of the Sandy beaches warm weather and Beautiful people overwhelm travellers on their Way to the sunny spots. And True to their images there is a lot of Sand warm weather and Beautiful people. Along the 70-mile coastline of the Cote d Azur Are roughly 25 Miles of beaches. More than 65 percentage free and Moscare clean and Safe. At least 145 beaches in the is photos by Michael Abrams vacationers enjoy the Beach at Cannes in May before the season gets under Way. Area Are designated private beaches. That Means there is a fee to get in but More provisions Are Given. For example changing Cabins loungers Beach umbrellas and sports facilities Are common in the charged areas. There also Are Rock beaches cold Bay water and not so Beautiful people to contend with. The beaches vary from place to place and As Vith anything on the French coast the fun is in shopping around for the Best spot. Saint Tropez May have the Best beaches in the area. Don t expect to find beaches in the town itself. Instead travel less than three Miles to the East. That s where seven Miles of Golden Sand wait to be trumped Volle balled and sunbathe on. Some of the beaches Are world famous for countless swimsuit Layouts and dramatic motion picture backdrops the Sand is rougher than that at most . Beaches but it s still wonderfully luxuriant and appealing. West along the coast Road More Public beaches Are at port Grimaud Sainte Maxime and other Small coastal towns. True next Well known Beach is in  sets a Beach Standard. This is the Beach synonymous with sunbathing for show. Starlets and families mingle on the Long strip of Sand along the Boulevard de la Croisette while partners personalities and politicians walk the seawall above the Sand. Continuing West Sun seekers find Antibes and More Public beaches. On into Nice the beaches get harder and less inviting but no less crowded. The beaches at Nice Are made of Large round rocks. Children amuse themselves by throwing rocks instead of building Sand. Castles while Jet aircraft Roar. Overhead from the nearby Nice Airport. Despite its Rocky terrain the Beach can get crowded. As Early As May students and locals find their Way to the water s Edge take off their clothes and soak up rays. In Monaco still farther West 06 beaches Are like much of the Small country built for the elite. The government of Monaco reclaimed much of its Small Beach from the sea and managed to create a comfortable if somewhat Small Sand area. If watching people is the goal the Best time to visit the beaches is obviously in the summer. However that also Means a lot of people to contend with. The population at most beaches triples during the summer months. Before the summer months the water can be cold and somewhat dirty from the Runoff of rain in the Hills. Along the beaches near Saint Tropez piles of debris Wood grass and leaves from the Hills above the coast line the Ocean front until huge trucks haul it off for the summer season. After the High season the crowds thin but the water is still warm and the beaches Are More accessible. Families will find the Best time to visit is immediately after school lets out for the summer or in Early october when the water is just starting to Cool and the beaches Are empty. Whenever the time and wherever the Beach finding a place in the Sun on the a the d Azur is one of life s Little pleasures. The South of France was seemingly built for Sun lovers and it caters to the crowd that smells of Coconut Sun lotion and wears floppy hats. The Beach at Antibes with the town in the background of Peru acc above where Large round rocks make or a hard ground. 8 stripes Magazine juty29,1993