The French Riviera is famous for its unrivaled glamour and allure, attracting the aristocratic, super-wealthy and famous to its golden coastline.

Blessed with the warm Mediterranean waters, the Côte d’Azur is a lively seaside destination for travellers and jet setters. Flying by helicopter significantly reduces your travel time, with some trips taking as little as 7 minutes. Enjoy the seaside; don’t crawl along the roads.

To give your holiday a certain je ne sais quoi, you can reach some of the most attractive waterfronts the South of France has to offer by air. We’ve handpicked the best beaches to visit by helicopter on the French Riviera:

5. Cap d’Ail, Plage Mala

Plage Mala sits nestled in a rocky valley, isolated and reasonably inaccessible. A bonus in disguise, this prevents the chic beach bars from overcrowding and ensures a reward for reaching the beach. From Monaco’s heliport, Cap d’Ail is just a short drive. Swim in the stunningly clear waters of Plage Mala, before relaxing with a cocktail.

4. St Tropez, La Ponche Beach

A more secluded alternative the popular Pampelonne (that attracts no less than 30,000 visitors a day), La Ponche fronts the oldest area of St Tropez. Offering a good site for swimming, La Ponche is a relaxing and intimate beach that boasts tranquility and a certain rustic charm, owing to the surrounding architecture. Helicopter transfer to St Tropez means not only can you gain spectacular views of the region and a pulse-raising experience in one, but you can also taste the high life firsthand.

3. Antibes, Plage de la Gravette

Tucked away behind Antibes’ ramparts, Plage de la Gravette is a beautiful beach with luminous, turquoise waters and fine sand. As the sea is shallow in this area, it is ideal for a dip and for those who are bringing family along with them. The nearby town offers markets, cafes and restaurants, so there is little need to venture far.

2. Cannes, Île Sainte Marguerite Beach

Île Sainte Marguerite Beach offers visitors both sandy beaches and rocky coves to explore. The picturesque scene is peppered with fishing boats and yachts, and is cradled by fragrant forests. With iced treats available close by, you can cool down by dipping in the sea or indulging in an ice cream.

1. Monaco, Larvotto Beach

The ultimate hang-out for the rich and famous, Larvotto Beach (pictured in lead image) might not be as picturesque as some of the other destinations mentioned in this list, but it is certainly worth a visit, if not for the scenery but the scene. Ensure to get there early to bag a good pitch – you can either lay down a towel or rent a sun bed for the day. Then after you can revel in a bit of blackjack in the casinos of Monte-Carlo. Heli Securite operates helicopter transfer from Nice to Monaco, which takes only seven minutes and costs just €140.

Lead image © RIVIERA BUZZ; all other images courtesy Relevance Web