On a very last-minute trip to the French Riviera in June, we had the chance to stay on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, an exclusive peninsula just outside of Nice, known for its ritzy villas, exotic gardens, and scenic Mediterranean views. Also known as the “Peninsula of Billionaires,” it’s been a quiet retreat for politicians, artists, bankers, and business owners for decades –– and is home to some of the Riviera’s most iconic villas, like Villa Santo Sospir, famously decorated by Jean Cocteau.
After a few visits to Nice, we were craving more of a summer escape than a city stay, and Cap Ferrat ended up being the perfect place. Our hotel was just a three-minute walk from one of the prettiest beaches in the Riviera and only a short drive from some of the region’s top sights like Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the colorful town of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
We’re not luxury travelers by any means, but our two nights on Cap Ferrat were some of our favorites from our Riviera trip. Here are the best things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
A Guide to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Quick List
Stay: Hotel Brise Marine; Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
Do: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild; Sentier du Littoral; Plage Paloma Beach; Villa Kerylos
Eat: Le Cap; La Veranda; Le Quai 28
Top Tours: Half-day Catamaran Cruise & Brunch; Private Boat Tour
Things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
One of the most beautiful villas along the French Riviera, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild was born out of the creative vision of Béatrice de Rothschild, the daughter of a wealthy banking family. She inherited her father’s fortune and built this as her winter home, while spending most of the year at her other residence on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
An avid art collector, Béatrice designed this villa as her dream home – filled with fine porcelain, 18th-century furnishings, tapestries, and antiques. The tour takes you through two floors of opulent rooms and then out into the gardens, which span five hectares and are classified as a Jardin Remarquable.
There are nine themed gardens to wander through, from the rose garden and Provençal garden to the Japanese garden. The views of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the Riviera coastline from the gardens are unmatched.
This villa was high on my French Riviera bucket list, and well, now I’m just waiting to inherit a fortune so I can build my “dream home” like this, too.
Practical Info:
- Parking: There’s a small free parking lot near the entrance, but it fills up quickly. We couldn’t find a spot, so we parked a few hundred meters down the road at this paid lot.
- By Bus: You can also take bus #15 get off at the stop just across from the entrance called Passable / Rothschild.
- Tickets & Hours: Check the official website for opening hours and ticket info.
Walk Along the Sentier du Littoral
One of the best things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is to walk the coastal path that winds nearly all the way around the peninsula. The trail technically starts in Beaulieu-sur-Mer and ends at Plage de Passable, covering about 6 kilometers in total. If you don’t stop too many times, it takes a little over two hours to walk.
We started near our hotel at Plage Paloma and followed the trail around the tip of the peninsula one morning, and it was the best way to start the day. In June, we headed out around 8:00 AM and it was already getting hot, so if you’re planning to do this walk in summer, bring water, wear sunscreen, and throw on your swimsuit. There are plenty of spots along the way to hop in the sea and cool off.
Read more: Guide to Villefranche-sur-Mer
Enjoy the Beaches
Plage Paloma
One of the most spectacular beaches in the Riviera and honestly the reason we chose to stay on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Framed by trees and a yellow villa at the far end, with yachts gently bobbing in the distance, it is the idyllic Mediterranean scene. The water is crystal clear and ideal for a swim, although, beware there can be jellyfish.
Just a heads up – it gets really busy during the day. We went early in the morning and again a couple of hours before sunset, and both times we practically had the place to ourselves.
Plage de la Fosse
A short walk from Paloma Beach, Fosse Beach is a long, crescent-shaped stretch tucked into a quiet cove. The beach is pebbly, so I recommend bringing water shoes. I like this beach because it feels a bit more secluded than Paloma.
Plage des Fossettes
A small, pebbly beach next to Plage de la Fosse. It’s not nearly as busy as the others. There is a small coffee shop, called La Pointe du Cap Ferrat, right above the beach with tables and chairs, and an amazing view.
Plage de Passable
Plage de Passable is a popular beach on the western side of the peninsula, with views looking out toward Villefranche-sur-Mer. There are a couple of beach clubs here where you can rent loungers, though they’re on the pricey side at around €50 per chair. If you’re not up for splurging, there’s a small public area where you can lay out your own towel.
Walk Around the Marina
The marina is the main commercial area of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Along the quai, you’ll find a string of restaurants and shops by the water – we ate dinner here during our stay.
Just above the marina is the Saint-Jean Baptiste church, which you can visit, along with a convenience store, bakery, and a few boutiques.
It’s a quick walk from both Plage de la Fosse and Plage Paloma, so if you want to get lunch at a restaurant or get picnic items from the grocery store, it’s easy to get here.
Read more: One Day in Aix-en-Provence
Villa Kerylos
Technically located in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, just next to Cap Ferrat, Villa Kérylos is a stunning recreation of an ancient Greek villa. Built in the early 1900s, it was inspired by homes from the island of Delos and designed as a tribute to classical Greek architecture.
Inside the villa, you’ll find walls covered in intricate frescoes, ceilings with richly carved woodwork, and floors laid with detailed mosaics that tell stories of ancient Mediterranean life.
I didn’t have time to visit on this trip, but it’s high on my list for next time.
For opening hours and ticket info, visit the official website.
Where to Stay
Hotel Brise Marine: We stayed at this family-owned, 19th-century villa for two nights and loved it. The rooms look out to the sea or the garden-covered hills, and breakfast is served out front on the terrace with exceptional views of the coast. The rooms are a bit dated, our blue-carpeted room could have used an update, but everything was very clean. I would definitely stay here again.
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel: A luxury hotel through and through. This 5-star Four Seasons property is as glamorous as it gets on the Riviera, with manicured gardens, elegant rooms, and a stunning swimming pool overlooking the sea. If I had the budget, I’d stay here in a heartbeat.
Where to Eat
Le Cap: Dine in the gardens of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat at this Michelin-star restaurant. Choose from one of their set menus, featuring a Mediterranean influenced menu highlighting French cuisine. Make sure to reserve a table well in advance.
La Veranda: Another restaurant at The Four Seasons Hotel with a French bistro-style menu. You can reserve a table for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Le Quai 28: A seafood focused restaurant located right on the water at the marina.
La Musa: Mexican and South American inspired dishes. We got the nachos and tacos, nothing compared to what we get in the western US, but that was to be expected. We wanted different flavors, something other than pasta and seafood, and we were satisfied!
Cap-Ferrat Boat Tours
- Half-day Catamaran Cruise & Brunch: Spend 6 hours cruising around the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer and swimming in Cap-Ferrat in a catamaran.
- Private Boat Tour from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Choose your own route on this private boat tour.
How to Get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
By Car: Depending on traffic, it’s about a 30-minute drive from Nice airport to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Driving is a bit stressful through the city, but once you make it out of Nice, it’s a breeze. There is paid parking along the main roads in Cap-Ferrat. If you want a parking spot near the beach, get there early.
By Train/Bus: From Nice, take the regional train from Nice-Ville station to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, about a 10-minute ride. From here, take the #15 bus to your destination in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Bike: A lot of people were getting around by Lime e-bike. There is a charging station near Plage Paloma, and I’m assuming they were picking them up in Villefranche-sur-Mer and riding them over.
When to Visit
We visited Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat at the end of June, hoping for the full summer experience – and we got exactly that. The weather was hot, ideal for long beach days and dips in the sea. It was a little too warm for town hopping, but otherwise, early summer is a great time to go.
The only downside was that it was busy. If you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, think about visiting in May or September when the weather is still lovely but the pace is a bit quieter.