Casino saint jean cap ferrat

Ah, Cap Ferrat. This peninsula on France’s Cote d’Azur is legendary for its wild beauty, stunning villas, and sleek yachts. From the Belle Epoque to the present day, it’s attracted people from all over the world who want to enjoy the good life. Including me. I’m here now and today I bring you A Lady in London’s guide to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a port town on the northeastern edge of the peninsula. It’s been at the heart of life on Cap Ferrat since the French Rivera’s heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Celebrities, royalty, and the jet set made this place their playground, and writers immortalized it in verse. Noel Coward even included it in his song “I Went to a Marvelous Party”.

With a beach, marina, shops, and restaurants, it’s a great place to start discovering Cap Ferrat.

It’s calmer and less touristy than other places along the Cote d’Azur, too. That makes it ideal if you like getting away from the souvenir shops.

It’s also a fun day trip from Nice. It’s easy to spend a day exploring Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the rest of the peninsula.

It can even be combined with a visit to neighboring Villefranche-sur-Mer or Beaulieu-sur-Mer (or both).

How to Get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

That’s primarily because it’s easy to get here. While there’s no train station in town, it’s situated between the stations in Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, both of which are close to Cap Ferrat and near Nice.

From the train stations you can take a bus or walk the rest of the way. There’s even a coastal path between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat that makes the trip scenic.

Alternatively, there are buses that go straight from Nice to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. You can also drive or sail here, so there’s no excuse to stay away.

Where to Stay in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Once in town, it’s easy to want to extend your stay. If you’re tempted to call this place home for a night (or five), there are some good accommodation options in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

If you want to stay in a hotel, the Boutique Hotel & Spa la Villa Cap Ferrat is a great choice. Located just above the marina and beach, it’s in an ideal location for exploring.

The rooms have modern decor and there’s a terrace and swimming pool for soaking up the Mediterranean sun.

If you prefer an apartment, I recommend Villa Artemys. This place is right by the marina and near the Plage des Fosses beach. It has bright contemporary furnishings and a terrace with a view.

Things to Do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Wherever you stay, there are a lot of great things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. I recommend starting at the marina, which is in the heart of town.

Not only is it fun to take in all the boats, but there are also a lot of restaurants and shops along the waterfront.

On this visit, I escape a rare Rivera downpour by ducking into Leo Lea for an ice cream. It’s a good place to soak up the ambiance and watch the boats go by.

Above the port, the streets are filled with colorful houses and shops. Cafe tables spill out onto the sidewalks and a mural covers a tall wall on Avenue Claude Vignon.

Back on the water, there’s a beach to enjoy. La Plage Cros Dei Pin is right next to the marina and is the first place you’ll see if you walk to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the coastal path from Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Lined with palm trees and offering sweeping views of the coast and cliffs in the distance, it’s a great place to go.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Up the peninsula, one of the biggest draws to the area is Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. This mansion was commissioned by Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild when she inherited her family’s immense fortune in the early 20th century.

Visitors can tour the rooms to see the extensive art, porcelain, and furniture collections, then head into the many gardens. From French to Spanish and Japanese, there are many different styles and varied landscaping to take in here.

Cap Ferrat

Beyond Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, there’s a lot to see on the peninsula. There are walking paths along the perimeter, so it’s easy to go around on foot to take in the area’s coves and inlets, fountains and lighthouses.

Beaches abound here, too. Paloma Beach is just south of the marina on the Anse de la Scaletta, and Passable Beach is a short walk away on the west side of the peninsula. Smaller ones can be found all along the shore, too.

There are also attractions like the lighthouse, Saint Hospice Chapel, and historic villas. The lighthouse is great to take in on a walk along the coast, and the chapel is a historic gem on top of the point at Saint Hospice.

And wherever you go, make sure to keep an eye out for the stunning villas that dot the landscape.

Speaking of stunning, on the southern end of the peninsula, the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat is a Belle Epoque landmark that’s been given new life as a Four Seasons hotel.

Built in 1908, it has hosted everyone from Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise to Bill Clinton.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. There’s a lot to see and do in and around the town, and more to enjoy throughout the peninsula.

Whether you go to soak up the sun, walk the paths, or re-live the glory days, there’s something here to make you fall in love with this part of the French Riviera.

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