Cannes offers a distinct mix of both free public beaches and expensive private beach clubs. Along the famous La Croisette promenade, the majority of the sand is occupied by private "plages" owned by luxury hotels like the Carlton or Martinez, where renting a sunbed and umbrella can cost between €40 and €100 per day. However, there are several excellent free options for budget-conscious travelers. The most prominent are Plage Macé and Plage du Casino, located at either end of the Croisette, which offer free access to the same Mediterranean water as the high-end hotels. Further west, Plage du Midi and Plage de la Bocca provide much larger stretches of free, sandy coastline that are popular with local families and offer public showers and restrooms. In 2026, the city also maintains "municipal" beaches like Zamenhof, where you can rent equipment at a significantly regulated, lower "public" rate compared to the private clubs. While you won't get the "feet-in-the-sand" waiter service at the free spots, they are well-maintained, clean, and provide an authentic French Riviera experience without the hefty price tag associated with the glamor of the film festival city.