ST. JEAN-CAP-FERRAT/ BEAULIEU-SUR-MER
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
A calm and cute little village of appr. 4000 inhabitants, situated in between Nice and Monaco.
It’s a seaside tourist resort, rather quiet in wintertime. It has charming architecture from Belle Epoque, two beaches and two harbors.
St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This is a small village of only 1500 regular inhabitants situated at the east side of the peninsula Cap Ferrat. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat became very popular following the visits of various members of the Belgian aristocracy. Many great Estates were built in the beginning of the 20th century. Still today, many famous and rich people own a villa at Cap Ferrat and it’s one of the most expensive Real Estate places in the world.
Both locations are easily accessible by car, 30 min from Nice by beautiful windling routes with a stunning view. The train to Ventimiglia also stops at Beaulieu station. Bus no 100 goes from Port Lympia and stops in both villages, no 81 from Promenade des arts to Port St. Jean, or no 15 to Beaulieu.
Easy hike in Beaulieu
This hike in Beaulieu-sur-mer is nice and easy and very beautiful.
From the train station we walked through the small city and along the graveyard to continue on a path in an oak forest.
Thereafter we walked for a while on a small road before taking some stairs back down to the village and the port. It took about 1,5 hour.
In the forest it was very quiet and peaceful and from the road we had an amazing view over St. Jean, Beaulieu and the sea.
We went to the beach “Petite Afrique “for a lunch sandwich.
A nice day with friends!
Coastal walk at Cap Ferrat
A nice walk around Cap Ferrat. The view is adorable. You pass by some fantastic villas hanging on the cliff and the garden on Grand hotel de Cap-Ferrat.
At the extreme point of the cape you see the phare. We continue on the ouest side with a fantastic view of Villefranche bay. This part is a little more tricky and less prepared.
Arriving to Plage de Passable we took the streets crossing the cape back to St. Jean. The tour took 2 hours and we finished with a nice lunch at a terrasse.
A lovely walk!
Nice walk from Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat to Beaulieu-sur-Mer
There is a path along the sea that takes about 30 minutes.
On the way you pass by some nice hotels and impressive villas such as “the David Niven house”. The view over the bay of Beaulieu is splendid and you very well see the Villa Kerylos from the seaside.
Nice to visit
Villa Kerylos
rue Gustave Eiffel, Beaulieu-sur-Mer
This spectacular villa in Beaulieu, nicely situated by the sea, looks a little awkward in this environment. It’s a house based on ancient Greek noble houses. It was built in early 1900 by Theodore Reinach, a German archaeologist, living in Paris, who spent his winter holidays here with his family. Together with the architect Emmanuel Pontremoli they created this Greek house and also reproduced its furniture, tableware, fabrics and decoration. Visiting the house, you can admire beautiful frescos and mosaic floors. In the basement is an Antique Gallery presenting Greco-Roman statues.
The house stayed in the family until 1966 when it became listed as a historical monument.
It’s open to the public every day.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
1 Av. Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The Villa is a beautiful house surrounded by an amazing garden in the village of St. Jean Cap Ferrat. It has a lovely view over the sea both east and west.
It was built by Beatrice Ephrussi de Rotschild who was a fascinating woman for her time.
You can download the “App Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild” and easily do the tour yourself.
The house is filled with beautiful furniture, carpets, paintings, tapestry and other objects as a collection of Eighteenth-Century Silk Garments, Chinese silk and porcelain. The magnificent garden is actually 9 different gardens in different styles as the Spanish garden, the Japanese garden, the Exotic garden etc.
It only takes 20 mins by car from Nice centre and it is easy to park off-season, but it’s is also possible to take the bus or the train.
Saint-Hospice chapel and the Belgian military cemetery
St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint-Hospice chapel was built in the 11th century. Many miraculous acts of healing have been attributed the Benedictine monk Hospitius who lived here.
The chapel was fully restored in the 17th century.
Inside are paintings that recount the life and miracles of Saint Hospice.
The Chapel has been listed as a National Heritage Site since 1929.
The graveyard was created in 1905 and is located at the foot of the chapel. Many Belgian victims of the First World War lost their lives at the Villa Les Cèdres. Previously owned by King Leopold II of Belgium, the property was transformed into a military hospital.
Statue of the Virgin
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The bronze statue of the Virgin (11.4 metres high) that stands next to the chapel was commissioned in 1904 by a rich trader from Nice after one of his prayers was answered.
It was sculpted by Tranquillo Galbusieri.
Lighthouse and semaphore
Cap-Ferrat
Built in 1732, the lighthouse was designed to replace an ancient 16th century fire tower. Destroyed in 1944, it was rebuilt in its current form after the war.
The lighthouse is currently closed to the public.
The semaphore was in 1862. Belonging to the French National Navy, its current missions include managing maritime traffic as well as spotting any forest fires that break out on the coast. It is 143 metres high.
The lighthouse is listed National Heritage Site since 2012
The old harbour and marina
St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Fishing was playing a key role in Saint Jean’s birth and its development around the harbour. The new marina was inaugurated in 1972. It can now accommodate 560 boats.
There are several restaurants, shops and galleries along the quaysides, as well as the municipal ‘Neptune’ hall that regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts and other events.
Le Bar du Port
7 Av. Jean Mermoz, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This little restaurant is situated in the centre of the village and is serving french food and fish. At lunch they offer a daily special.
On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays it becomes a music bar with different live groups.
They also have a large choice of vins and cocktails.
Le Cadillac
2 Av. Jean Mermoz, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Very good situation at the main square in St. Jean.
They serve simple but good food such as pizza, salads, mussels or spaghetti vongole.
The price is affordable. The staff was nice, but complained a little too much.
Nice Restaurants
Ambrosia
Port de Plaisance, Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Ambrosia is a nice Italian restaurant (same group as Le Galet in Nice) in the port of Beaulieu-sur-mer. We were well taken care of and had some good food.
I like – The nice atmosphere in the port
Le Saint Jean
7 Pl. Georges Clémenceau, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Situated at the middle of the main square in St. Jean with a nice view over the marina. The staff is nice, the homemade food is good and the environment is nice. It’s open all day every day in the week.
I like – Today’s special
Le Bar du Port
7 Av. Jean Mermoz, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This little restaurant is situated in the centre of the village and is serving french food and fish. At lunch they offer a daily special.
On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays it becomes a music bar with different live groups.
I like – the cosy atmosphere
Le Cadillac
2 Av. Jean Mermoz, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Very good situation at the main square in St. Jean.
They serve simple but good food such as pizza, salads, mussels or spaghetti vongole.
The price is affordable. The staff was nice, but complained a little too much.
I like – the location