Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a coastal town between Nice and Monaco. It was a modest fishing village that became a high-value area as people noticed its appeal. It ranked among France's most expensive towns in 2024.
Our first encounter with Cap-Ferrat was during our visit to Mont Boron on our first French Riviera tour. We've been fascinated with it ever since.
Cap-Ferrat is called 'the Peninsula of Billionaires' because it has many high-profile residents. These include celebrities and tech billionaires. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen once owned an 18-bedroom villa on the peninsula valued at over €100 million.
Mark Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Jean Cocteau are some of the famous artists who have spent time on the peninsula. Cocteau was the guest of Francine Weisweiller at Villa Santo Sospir. He painted the villa's walls with what he called tattoos and made a short movie about it.
Visitors to Mont Boron in Nice or Eze Village will notice Cap Ferrat across the bay. Its beauty highlights the famous French Riviera views that have made this part of France popular. Its sandy beaches, scenic hiking trails, and sublime views of the Villefranche-sur-Mer bay make it a must-visit place. It's why many tourists visiting Nice and Monaco often take a day trip to the peninsula.
Tourists who want to spend more time in Cap Ferrat have many options for places to stay. The peninsula has many villas for rent and various hotels, including two luxury options, one of which is on the list of best hotels on the French Riviera (more on that below).
Fun Fact: Cap Ferrat is known to many as the location of Villa Les Cèdres (Villa Les Oiseaux). Les Cèdres is a 19th-century villa that was at one time the most pricey home in the world. King Leopold II of Belgium once owned the villa, which dates back to 1830. The Campari Group sold the 14-bedroom house to Billionaire Rinat Akhmetov in 2019.
Things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is the best-known place on the peninsula. It was the home of Béatrice de Rothschild. Unlike the other villas, the building is open for tours. It is a museum and event venue that's popular for hosting grand weddings. Some planners have claimed it is one of the best venues on the French Riviera.
It is home to a large art collection and nine themed gardens. The beauty of the gardens, along with the view of the bay they offer, draw visitors more than the building. It is a haven for history and art lovers.
Stroll through Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
The port of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat has many eateries and galleries. However, the views around the port are the best reason to visit it. It's not as alluring as Port Hercules in Monaco, but it has its own charm. Notable places at the port include Muséum du Coquillage (the Seashell Museum), so anyone who likes seashells should visit the museum.
While you're at the port, look out for the blue sculpture La Venus Bleue by Alexandre Joseph Sosnowsky. Make the visit fun by timing how long it takes to find it.
Visit the beaches.
The peninsula has many beaches with great views of the sea. Paddleboarding and windsurfing are popular here. Plage Cros deï Pin is the largest beach on the peninsula. It's a good option for families, as it has a play area for kids.
Another popular beach is Plage des Fossettes. It is close to Fontaine Coexist ('Coexist Fountain'). The fountain is part of the COEXIST Foundation's peace promoting project. The noble peace project is backed by many famous people. These include U2 lead singer Bono and Cherie Blair (wife of Tony Blair). Snorkeling is popular here as the waters are rich in marine life.
Plage de la Fosses is in the southern part of the peninsula. It is famous for the views of villas on the peninsula and the old Cap Ferrat quarry.
Plage de Passable is on the west side of the peninsula. It has great views of the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It's popular for its waterfront restaurant, where you can enjoy good French cuisine.
Walk along Chemin des Douaniers
If you're up for a challenge, walk along Chemin des Douaniers (customs officers' path). Starting from the east end of the path, it takes you around the perimeter of the peninsula's south side. It winds through beaches and ends on the west side.
There's no shortage of places of interest along the path. The best is below Phare du Cap Ferrat (Cap Ferrat lighthouse). It offers a chance to get a close-up view of the 18th-century lighthouse, which isn't accessible to the public. It's also a good place to relax as it has another 'Coexist Fountain'.
Once you arrive on the west side of the peninsula, you're rewarded with a great view of the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Explore the nearby towns and villages
Anyone visiting Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat should explore the nearby towns and villages, which include:
1. Villefranche-sur-Mer - A resort town that's popular among movie producers. Movies with scenes shot in the town include Killers, starring Ashton Kutcher, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, starring Michael Caine.
2. Èze - A hilltop village with cobbled streets overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
3. Beaulieu-sur-Mer - A seaside village that's home to Villa Kerylos, an Ancient Greek Revival-styled villa built by French archaeologist Theodore Reinach. Reinach was Béatrice Ephrussi's cousin and her visit to his house inspired her to build Villa Ephrussi.
Where to Stay
Staying on Cap-Ferrat ensures the very best with no compromises. You can choose from one of two 5-star hotels on the peninsula:
Hotel Royal Riviera
Hotel Royal Riviera is a well-known 5-star hotel and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. It is close to the starting point of the peninsula. It has great views of the Provençal Gardens and the Mediterranean Sea.
The hotel offers well-appointed rooms that ensure comfort. Select the one-bedroom suite within Villa l'Orangerie if you want to spoil yourself. It offers more privacy and a 188 square meter living area. If that isn't enough, you can expand the suite to include two additional bedrooms.
Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat
Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat is a Four Seasons hotel with 6 hectares of gardens. In 2011, the hotel obtained the "Palace de France" distinction, a mark of excellence in service and a clear sign that the hotel is a place you must try out.
You can choose from many rooms and suites in the hotel. These include the Grand Hotel and Penthouse suites. You can also select one of three villas at the hotel. These have as much as 550 square meters of living space, four bedrooms, and two staff rooms. There can't be a better way to enjoy the peninsula.
Fine Dining on the Peninsula
When it's time for good cuisine, you'll find options for French, and international dishes on the peninsula.
La Table du Royal
La Table Du Royal is within Hotel Royal Riviera. It focuses on French cuisine under the care of Chef Geoffroy Szamburski. This is also the perfect spot for dessert lovers, thanks to Pastry Chef Lucas Simoncini. Sommeliers are also present to ensure each meal is paired with the finest wines.
Le Cap
Michelin-starred Le Cap is in Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat. With Chef Yoric Tièche in charge, guests can enjoy a wide range of Provençal and Mediterranean dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from the hotel's gardens.
Le Quai 28
Le Quai 28 is at Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a perfect place for fine dining by the waterfront. The seafood restaurant boasts a friendly atmosphere and a great menu with many dishes made from fresh seafood from local fishermen. It also has a curated wine list to go with the food.
Jasmin Grill and Lounge
Hotel Royal Riviera's Jasmin Grill and Lounge is one of the best restaurants on the peninsula. Specializing in French cuisine, the poolside restaurant overlooks Baie des Fourmis in Beaulieu Sur Mer. It offers sublime views from its main dining area and the outdoor kitchen has a tandoori oven for the delivery of Indian cuisine.
Is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat worth visiting?
While it's not a high-profile French Riviera town, the peninsula's natural beauty and peaceful nature make it worth visiting. You won't find large crowds of tourists here, so if you want a quiet moment, this is a good option.
Add to that the charm of Villa Ephrussi, great places to dine, and quiet beaches, you have a perfect candidate for a day trip from Monaco or Nice. The Chemin des Douaniers trail also makes the peninsula walkable. With the Coexist Fountains along the way, you won't need a water bottle.
How to get to the peninsula
If you're visiting from Nice or Monaco, you have a few options. For a little adventure, you can take the TER train from Nice to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and then take the bus to the peninsula. You can also take a bus from either Nice or Monaco, but neither option is ideal as it will be hard to visit all the landmarks.
You're better off renting a car. This also offers the added benefit of enjoying the sublime views along the way at your own pace.
