Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the quintessential Côte d’Azur, in 5 must-visit addresses

1. A hotel: the Royal Riviera

Originally opened in 1904 as the Promenade Palace, the Royal-Riviera was one of the very first grand hotels on the Côte d'Azur, before the Negresco in Nice (1913) or the big names in Cannes (Carlton in 1911, Majestic in 1923, Martinez in 1929). In fact, only Monegasque palaces such as Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (1864) or the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Cap d'Antibes, 1870) can boast of having been around longer than the Royal-Riviera!

Although the latter has had several lives, it reopened under its current name in the early 2000s, after a thorough renovation that modernized the premises without losing its soul. Today, the Royal-Riviera remains one of the preferred addresses for enjoying the atmosphere of a glamorous, fantasized Côte d'Azur, in the style of Alfred Hitchcock's La Main au collet .

Hotel Royal-Riviera
Prices from 400 euros per night
3 Avenue Jean Monnet, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The alternative address: the Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, one of France's 31 palaces, needs no introduction. A seven-hectare private estate facing the sea, sumptuous decor by Pierre-Yves Rochon, an abundance of marble and luxury on every floor, an immense swimming pool overlooking the sea and an extraordinary spa make the Grand-Hôtel, which became part of the Four Seasons family in 2015, one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. Room prices accordingly: don't expect to pay less than €2,000 a night in high season for a sea-view room...

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
In low season, prices from 700 euros per night
71 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

2. A villa: the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

The Cap-Ferrat peninsula and the town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat owe their worldwide renown, at least in part, to their luxurious villas. Les Cèdres, the former residence of Belgian King Leopold II, is a symbol of the folie de grandeur that can be found on this unique stretch of coastline, with ten bedrooms and a 14-hectare botanical park.

If you don't count a billionaire among your friends as the proud owner of one of the 500 villas on the cape, head for the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Built on a summit of the Cap Ferrat peninsula between 1905 and 1912, it is rightly considered one of the most beautiful Renaissance-style palaces (Italian influences are omnipresent) on the Côte d'Azur. Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild had the good sense to bequeath this sumptuous villa, with views on both sides of the Cape, to a foundation bearing her name to open a museum. Visitors can now enjoy the spectacular luxury of one of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat's most beautiful properties and its nine themed gardens ("à la française", Spanish, Japanese, rose garden...), surrounding the villa over more than seven hectares. With an average of 160,000 visits each year, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Côte d'Azur, between Nice and Menton. It's easy to see why.

The alternative address: Villa Kérylos

Although Villa Kérylos is not strictly speaking located in Cap-Ferrat (it is situated in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a neighboring town of Cap-Ferrat), it remains a must-see attraction in the area. Built and furnished between 1902 and 1908 in the style of ancient Greek villas, it was owned by Hellenistic scholar Théodore Reinach before being bequeathed to the Institut de France upon his death in 1928. Beyond the villa’s intrinsic architectural appeal, it is, of course, the views that captivate visitors. Everywhere, the windows offer unparalleled views of the Mediterranean, the Baie des Fourmis, and Cap Ferrat, Èze, and Cap d’Ail.

A swimming pool: the Club Dauphin

For bathing in style, head for the irreplaceable Club Dauphin within the Grand-Hôtel du Cap Ferrat. The jewel in the crown of this club for wealthy swimmers, accessible by a private funicular (the height of luxury), is of course its incredible swimming pool overlooking the seafront cliff. The pool, 33 metres long and 10 metres wide, is surprisingly large. It's a far cry from the traditional hotel pool, which is often tiny in old Europe! The Club Dauphin pool, revolutionary when it was built in 1939, remains a masterpiece of its kind almost 90 years after its inauguration.

It's worth noting that the children of Charlie Chaplin, Jean-Paul Belmondo and Eric Cantona all learned to swim under the expert guidance of Pierre Gruneberg, the club's lifeguard, inventor of the ABC (Aquatic Breathing Control) method and a self-described " living legend of Cap-Ferrat ". Those who prefer to relax can rest assured. While the location is ideal for sporting activities, the many deckchairs and private white cotton cabanas are also perfectly suited to summer idleness!

4. A walk: the Cap-Ferrat footpath

Thanks to the magic of French legislation (the famous "Loi Littoral", which prevents the complete privatization of the seaside), it is possible to walk all around Cap-Ferrat thanks to the eponymous seven-kilometer trail (add three kilometers for the complete tour via Le Tour de la Pointe Saint-Hospice). The Maurice Rouvier trail starts in front of the Casino de Beaulieu. With views of the Villa Kérylos and a passage under the Hotel Royal-Riviera, the walk takes in the pretty Baie des Fourmis, before leading naturally to the Cap-Ferrat trail, a favorite strolling destination for Côte d'Azur residents.

Not to be missed along the way:

• The legendary Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat and Club Dauphin (see above)
• Le Phare du Cap, originally built by the Sardinians in 1827, destroyed during the Second World War before being rebuilt in 1951. There's only one way to visit it: during the Heritage Days.
• Numerous coves and small beaches, offering many opportunities for swimming.
• Passable beach at the western end (private and public).

And of course, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean everywhere!

5. A restaurant : Le Cap

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat may not be a major gastronomic destination in itself (you'd be better off pushing on to Èze - at the Château de la Chèvre d'Or - or Monaco - at Alain Ducasse's Louis XV - for that), but the fact remains that you can eat very well here while enjoying an absolutely idyllic setting. The benchmark restaurant is located on the garden level of the Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. Under the leadership of Yoric Tièche, Le Cap has been Michelin-starred since 2009, making it the only restaurant on the peninsula to enjoy this distinction. As much for the cuisine as for the setting, this restaurant boasts, without false modesty, one of the most beautiful terraces in France and the Mediterranean. An exceptional location!

The alternative: Baia Belle Plage

Just a stone's throw from the Beaulieu-sur-Mer marina, on the Petite Afrique beach, Baia Bella is the place to be, with its seaside restaurant, cocktail bar and bohemian-style private beach. Conceived as a place to live as much as a place to dine, this eco-responsible family-run establishment offers a generous menu of Mediterranean flavours: charcoal grills, ceviches, homemade pizzas, fresh salads and linguine with lobster make up a menu that gives pride of place to seasonal produce and sharing. Unpretentious yet stylish, this "feet in the water" address embodies a certain Côte d'Azur art de vivre, between dolce vita and modernity. Bonus? A large shaded terrace, a tender boat service for yachtsmen, and an almost year-round opening.

More info: baiabella.com