At the end of the nineteenth century, the peninsula began to attract wealthy English, Russian, and Belgian families who would go on to make it a popular vacation destination. Summer tourism increased in the 1950s, and Saint-Jean became a chic seaside destination that drew politicians and celebrities from all over the world. Some notable painters, most notably Matisse, stayed there. This rich heritage is brought to life through the construction of villas, more opulent homes separated from one another, interspersed among beautiful Alpes-Maritimes greenery.
Fair Range
Passage Beach faces west and offers views of Cap de Nice and Villefranche sur Mer Bay. This guarantees that you will have sunlight during the day. A portion of the property is taken up by a private beach where stand-up paddleboards can be rented. Passable Beach is extremely raucous because so many families with children vacation there, and the kids spend their time leaping into the water from the pontoon (yes, it smells of experience). If you’re looking for peace and quiet, this is not the place to be (or during the week outside school holidays).
Maurice Rouvier walk to Beaulieu sur Mer
A nice, flat walk leading from the little town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is appropriate for strollers and people with limited mobility. This is where Beaulieu sur Mer is. The starting location is on Av. Denis Semeria, at the level of the Town Hall (locate the white sign “coastal path”). The path traverses Port Beach before continuing north along the peninsula’s east coast to Beaulieu sur Mer, a beach resort. Following the beach, there are other beautiful swimming coves. In the winter, we came across sea urchin fishermen. Beaulieu’s Fourmis beach may be reached in 25 minutes.
Visit Beaulieu-Sur-Mer
Beaulieu sur Mer is a small seaside hamlet on the outskirts of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. You can also get there by walking along the Maurice Rouvier promenade (see above). The beach at Baie des Fourmis, the casino, the Belle Époque-style retonde, and the villa Kérylos are just a few of the things to see and do in Beaulieu sur Mer, which is not a popular Côte d’Azur travel destination.
Villa Kerylos
The main tourist attraction in Beaulieu sur Mer is the Villa Kérylos, a mansion modeled after ancient Greece and built between 1902 and 1908. The interior has been lavishly designed to evoke the opulence of a Greek villa. This is one of the things to do in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. Villa Kérylos is a 50-minute walk from the Maurice Rouvier promenade. You can also drive there and try to find parking near the Beaulieu casino. See the website for more information on events at Villa Kérylos and other villas in the area.
Sunset Cruise
A 1.5-hour sunset cruise departing from Nice is an alternative for a one-of-a-kind experience and a new perspective on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The boat will cruise all the way around the cape to Beaulieu sur Mer before heading to the peninsula. Swim directly off the boat, try snorkeling (bring your own gear), or simply enjoy the scenery.
