Saint Jean Cap Ferrat: The Riviera’s most glamorous coastal destination

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a peninsula on the French Riviera. It is known for being the world’s most expensive place to live and it is packed with magnificent Belle Époque mansions surrounded by pine forests. However, you don’t need to be a billionaire to visit and it has some of the most gorgeous beaches of the Côte d’Azur. It’s one of my favorite spots for a beach day. If you want to experience old-money glamour, stunning coastal hikes, beaches and world-class art, you should pay it a visit!

What to do in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

This Pink villa is an iconic sight in the Cap Ferrat. Béatrice de Rothschild, born in 1864, was the daughter of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. He was Regent of the Banque de France and a great art collector. Beatrice married Maurice Ephrussi in 1883 and became Madame Ephrussi de Rothschild. After she divorced, she continued her interest in art and started to build up her private collection, which was of inestimable value. In 1905 she discovered Cap Ferrat and built a monumental villa there. This became a home for all the works of art she had collected over the years.

The famous pink villa was was inspired by the Italian Renaissance.  Today at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, you can visit the ceremonial rooms, Béatrice’s flats and discover the magnificent porcelain collection. Outside you can visit the incredible garden with a fountain that displays a water show every 20 minutes.

Promenade Maurice Rouvier – Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (village)

This magnificent walk allows you to reach Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat from Beaulieu-sur-Mer in about 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re planning a visit to the peninsula and don’t want to look for parking, y0u can take the train to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and start with this beautiful walk. The path is entirely asphalted. Therefore, it is an easy walking path and also managable for people with reduced mobility. The trail begins with a magnificent view of the beach at Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Pretty soon you will reach an iconic waterfront villa called ‘Villa La Fleur du Cap’ or Place de David Niven. This pink Belle Époque villa is has been owned and visited by many celebrities. Past notable owners and residents include: David Niven (actor, who owned it for many years), Charlie Chaplin (frequent summer resident), King Leopold III of Belgium.

Continue and you’ll reach ‘pointe Rompa Talon’. From here, you can see a lot of the coastline. You should be able see the hilltop villages of La Turbie and Eze while, below, the town of Cap d’Ail extends along the coastline. On a clear day you can even see as far as Italy. Then you just continue until you reach the  Cros deï Pin beach and from there you can walk into the village.

You can continue your walk to some of Cap-Ferrat most beautiful beaches or even do the whole hike around the peninsula.

Starting point: Near plage de Fourmis 

Parking: place du centenaire or Cros deï Pin beach (harbour beach)

Difficulty: very easy

Duration: 20 min, 1.3 km (one way)

Cap-Ferrat coastal walk/Sentier du littoral

The walk around the peninsula is a highlight! It’s a beautiful rugged trail, that’s mostly easy to moderate, though some sections have uneven, rocky terrain, stone steps, and exposed cliffside paths.

Although currently, Tour du Cap path is closed between the lighthouse and Passable beach for safety works for an undetermined period of time (last updated November 2026).

You can start the hike from the Chemin de la Carrière path and follow the that runs parallel to the coastline. The path passes below the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a 5-stars Four Seasons Hotel, before reaching the lighthouse. 
On a clear day, you should be able to see Nice and the Estérel mountains from the foot of the lighthouse. You’ve now reached the west side of the peninsula. On this trail you’ll find several coves and swimming spots.  At some point you will reach the steps marking the end of the trail. Here you turn left and follow the path, along the road until you reach “Le Lido” residence. There you will cross the car park to reach Passable beach.

Add the little peninsula with famous beaches

Alternatively, you can hike it the other way around and add the peninsula with Paloma Beach and Fossettes Beach. This way you can start your hike in the early morning and then relax at the beautiful beaches in the afternoon. I didn’t really plan my day properly during my visit and during the day it was just way too hot to do the coastal walk.

Swiming spots we like around the Cap-Ferrat coastal walk

Some are beaches, some ladders or rustic stone step access into the sea. Beware of the weather, as the ocean here can get rough and the access to several of the swimming spots is rocky and sometimes slippery. I’ve marked each of the spots with a google map link, so you can find them easily. Or just bookmark this post to come back to it.

• Plage Paloma (most popular beach)
• Plage de Passable (you can start or finish here)
• Plage des Fossettes (small beach near Plage Paloma)
• Plage de la Fosse (beach close to the mariana)
• Point d‘eau (small sea pool)
• Scaletta per bagno cap ferrat (sea ladder)
• Crique sur sentier littoral (tiny stone beach half way along the main walk)
• Plage de la Gavinette (rustic concrete & rock bathing platform, a bit tricky to get in and out)

Chapel of Saint-Hospice

If you’re hiking around the entire peninsula, this can be a nice little stop as well, although I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it. The chapel was built in the 11th century and restored in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is named after Saint Hospice, a hermit who is said to have lived in the area during the 6th century. One of the most recognisable landmarks here is the enormous bronze statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, which stands beside the chapel. Erected in 1903, the statue is approximately 11 metres tall and can be seen from the sea.

The surroundings are just as beautiful as the chapel itself. The headland is covered with Mediterranean vegetation, and the walking paths offer wonderful views towards Monaco, Cap Martin and, on clear days, even Italy. Nearby, you’ll also find a Belgian military cemetery and a small seaside cemetery. I recommend combining a visit to the chapel with the Pointe Saint-Hospice coastal walk. You can follow the path through the pine trees, stop at the chapel and continue towards Paloma Beach.

Relax on the best beaches in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

One of the reasons Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is such a lovely summer destination is its collection of small beaches and secluded coves. Unlike some of the larger resort towns along the French Riviera, the beaches here are relatively intimate, with beautiful natural surroundings and incredibly clear water. There are five main public beaches on the peninsula, although some also have private beach-club sections. Most have fine pebbles rather than sand. I found the beaches here to be among the prettiest on the French Riviera.

Here are the beaches I’d recommend:

Plage Paloma

Perhaps the most famous beach on the peninsula, but in my opinion also the most photogenic! It’s been shown in the show Emily in Paris for good reason. Paloma Beach is located on the eastern side of Cap-Ferrat, near Pointe Saint-Hospice. The beach is surrounded by pine trees and has a beautiful view across the Mediterranean towards Èze and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. There is also a public beach area, so you don’t have to book a sunbed to enjoy the setting. It’s a lovely place to stop after walking around Pointe Saint-Hospice.

Plage des Fossette

Plage des Fossette is another beautiful spot on the little peninsula on the south eastern side of the Cap Ferrat. Surrounded by impressive villas and rocky coastal scenery, it has a more secluded feel than the beach near the harbor. This is a smaller beach, but generally less crowded than the other ones. There’s a little snack stand at the top, near the entrance.

Plage de Passable

Located on the western side of the peninsula, Plage de Passable is one of the most picturesque beaches in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It faces the beautiful bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, offering wonderful views across the water towards the colourful old town. Part of the beach is public, while another section is operated as a private beach club with sun loungers, umbrellas and a restaurant.

Where to stay in Cap Ferrat

Since the Cap-Ferrat peninsula is relatively small, accommodation fills up quickly during the high season. The peninsula is home to two five-star resorts, the Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat, and the Royal Riviera. Even if you are not looking for such unbridled luxury, you should know that the hotel scene in Cap-Ferrat offers mainly high-end hotels: the price of accommodation is truly remarkable, even for a B&B or a rented flat. For those wishing to visit Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat at a lower cost, I recommend staying in the towns of Nice or Antibes, whose urban centres are less than 15 kilometres away. Another solution is to discover the hinterland during a stay in a Provençal B&B in the countryside. My favorite stays nearby are: 

Èze | La Petite Bergerie

One of the most charming guesthouses in the riviera is Èze, La Petite Bergerie. This guesthouse used to be an old stone sheepfold and is now fully converted into a beautiful stay. It is located on the hillside above the village, close to the Parc de la Revère. Rather than a large hotel, it’s an intimate place with just one guest room. La Petite Bergerie – From €120 per night

Eze| Hôtel Eze Hermitage This hotel in Eze is beautifully renovated and is very close to Eze. It’s also only 12k from Nice and it’s a 25 minute drive from Cap Ferrat.  Hôtel Eze Hermitage From €103 to €350/night

How to get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is easy to reach from several destinations along the French Riviera. You can travel by car, bus or train, and it’s particularly convenient as a day trip from Nice.

By bus: Bus 15 connects Nice with Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It runs from the Nice city centre towards Port de Saint-Jean, making it a convenient option if you’re staying in Nice. You can also travel from Monaco by taking the regional bus towards Beaulieu-sur-Mer and changing to bus 15.

By train: There isn’t a train station in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat itself, but the nearest station is in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. From Nice-Ville station, take a TER train towards Monaco or Menton and get off at Beaulieu-sur-Mer. From there, you can either take bus 15 or enjoy the scenic walk along Promenade Maurice Rouvier to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. I particularly recommend the walk if you have time.

By car: Driving is another option, especially if you’re planning to explore more of the French Riviera. From Nice, follow the coastal road through Villefranche-sur-Mer towards Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Parking is available at several locations around the peninsula, including Place du Centenaire and Cros deï Pin. However, parking can be limited during the summer months, so arriving early is a good idea.

To find the cheapest Car Rental, have a look at discover cars! I’ve used them all over the world.

Places to visit near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

One of the best things about Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is its location. Several of the most beautiful destinations along the French Riviera are just a short journey away.

Here are a few places I’d combine with your visit:

• Villefranche-sur-Mer: A picturesque coastal town with colourful houses, a beautiful harbour and a lovely old town. It’s particularly worth visiting for its waterfront and the famous Plage des Marinières.

• Èze: A beautiful medieval village perched high above the Mediterranean. Wander through its narrow streets and visit the exotic garden for spectacular views.

• Nice: A wonderful city to explore, with its historic old town, colourful markets, Promenade des Anglais and beautiful Mediterranean coastline.

Practical tips for visiting Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

A few things worth knowing before your visit:

• Wear comfortable shoes: Even if you aren’t planning a long hike, some of the coastal paths are rocky and uneven.

• Bring water: There isn’t always somewhere to buy refreshments along the coastal trails, particularly around Pointe Saint-Hospice.

• Pack swimwear: There are plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim along the way.

• Check trail closures: Coastal paths can close during bad weather or for maintenance. Check with the local tourist office before setting out.

• Book restaurants in advance: This is particularly important during July and August.

• Don’t expect sandy beaches: Most beaches here have fine pebbles, so water shoes can make swimming more comfortable.

• Consider visiting without a car: The peninsula is relatively easy to explore on foot, and parking can be difficult during the summer.

Best time to visit Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to do.

Spring (April–June) is one of my favourite times to explore the French Riviera. Temperatures are pleasant, the gardens are in bloom and the coastal paths are ideal for walking. It’s also generally quieter than the peak summer months.

Summer (July–August) is the best time for swimming, beach days and enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle. However, this is also the busiest and most expensive period. Beaches and restaurants can get crowded, and accommodation prices are considerably higher.

Autumn (September–October) is another excellent time to visit. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, the weather is often pleasant and there are fewer tourists. September is particularly appealing if you want to enjoy the beaches without the crowds of August.

Winter (November–March) is much quieter. While you probably won’t be spending much time on the beach, it’s still a lovely time for coastal walks and exploring the surrounding towns. Just keep in mind that some beach clubs and restaurants close seasonally.