BEAULIEU-SUR-MER

With its old-world charm, luxury shops and restaurants, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is one of our favourite villages of the French Riviera.

Ideally located between Nice and Monaco, it boasts beautiful beaches and a stunning architectural heritage. We particularly appreciate the mildness of its climate all-year round, its beauty and tranquility.

Next door to the charming villages of Eze, Villefranche-Sur-Mer or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer will not fail to allure you.

Sightseeing

Villa Kerylos, inspired by Ancient Greece and built between 1902 and 1908.

The Rotunda of Residence Bristol, an architectural masterpiece of the Belle Epoque and an historic listed monument.

Facing the Rotunda, the picturesque Bay des Fourmis with its charming little harbour and sandy, sheltered beach.

Starting from Bay des Fourmis’ beach, Promenade Maurice Rouvier is a coastal promenade (1.2 km) that leads to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat harbour. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild can be reached from there, taking the second road on the right (via Avenue Honoré Sauvan). A villa sprang up along the seafront that connects Beaulieu-sur-Mer to the peninsula is known as ‘Fleur du Cap’ (former ‘Lo Scoglietto’) and was once owned by Charlie Chaplin and David Niven.

Down Boulevard Maréchal Leclerc towards the marina, Beaulieu-sur-Mer harbour enjoys an excellent worldwide reputation and boosts many iconic restaurants (African Queen, Café Del Mare) and shops.

A little further, Little Africa sandy beach is ideal for a swim.

Do not forget to have a look at the façade of the Eiffel Residence, also located on Boulevard Maréchal Leclerc, a house that used to be rented in wintertime by Gustave Eiffel himself.

The Olivaie Garden is an oasis of calm and serenity. A magnificent gate adorns its entrance (rue Jean Bracco).

SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is truly one of the gems of the French Riviera. Once a former fishing village, the peninsula is
a paradise of tranquility where the greatest fortunes of the world, including crowned heads, have found refuge. We
love it for its warm and relaxing atmosphere and for the incomparable beauty of its land, a luxuriant and diverse
vegetation planted in 1876.

Going around The Cap by land or sea is a highly rewarding experience in terms of scenic beauty and diversity of
landscape, and we cannot imagine a better place to celebrate our love with our dearest and closest.

Sightseeing

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat features several scenic trails. The first and most spectacular is the Tour of the Cap Ferrat, achievable in 2 hours. From the Place du Centenaire, go up the shopping street then turn left after the bank onto Avenue Claude Vignon. The La Carrière path begins 50 metres after the bowls pitch.

You will get to admire several peaks (the Gavinette, Coisse, Crau Neo Malalongue) and pass below the Four Seasons Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat before reaching the lighthouse that belongs to the French Navy. It is a listed historical monument since 2012 and is only open to visitors in September as part of the European Heritage Days Initiative.

On a clear day, there is a fabulous view across to the Nice headland and l'Estérel from the foot of the lighthouse. On the west slope of the peninsula, there are numerous coves between you and Passable beach, where the trails ends. After climbing a few steps, turn left to reach Passable beach, go up the steps to reach the Passable path which leads to Avenue Denis Séméria. Turn right, go in front of the Tourist Office and continue along Avenue Denis Séméria
which leads to the village.

The Tour of the Pointe Saint-Hospice, departing from Paloma Beach, is shorter but also very rewarding. It snakes around the coastline through rocky landscapes by the last and spray and includes vistas over Beaulieu, Eze Bord-de-Mer and Cap d’Ail. Eze Village and La Turbie can also be seen on the hillside.

If you take a right onto the Edmund David path, leading to the St Hospice path, you will get to a 11th century chapel and a Belgian cemetery dating from WWI. Retrace your steps to rejoin the Edmund Davis path that leads to the seaside, turn right and go past the Pointe du Colombier, cross the pine forest and rejoin Avenue Claude Vignon. Turn left onto Avenue Claude Vignon that runs alongside Les Fossettes bay followed by Les Fosses, where you will see the former communal washhouse, before arriving back at the village centre via the Passage des Fosses.

A day at Club Dauphin, the Four Season’s Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat’s peaceful and relaxing pool club is not to be missed. It lies in magnificent grounds and is accessible via a funicular railway. It features an Olympic-size seawater pool and seaside cabins with room services.

The Four Season’s itself is certainly one of the most beautiful luxury hotels of the Côte d’Azur. The iconic white building lays in a park of 7 hectares with a view over the Mediterranean Sea. It features several luxury suites with views from Nice to Monaco and a private villa. Its award-winning spa as well as its 3 restaurants and bar keep this landmark hotel at the forefront of the Riviera life.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is dotted with magnificent residences hidden behind sumptuous parks, an evidence of the grandiose Belle Epoque: several were built by King Leopold II of Belgium who bought over 50 hectares of land on the west peninsula. A famous industrialist from Lyon named Emile Crozet-Fourneyron built a circular villa on the site of a former grain mill. Overlooking the village, this magnificent abode enjoys views stretching from the Cap d'Antibes to the Italian coast. The neighbour villa is just as spectacular with its magnificent cloistered patio topped with a terrace supported by red marble columns.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most prestigious residences of the French Riviera. It was inspired by great Renaissance buildings of Venice and Florence. Listed historical monument since 1996, it features a range of styles from various eras, with strong Lombard, Venetian and Spanish influences. The estate was built between 1905 and 1912. Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild fell in love with this magical setting, and her fanciful imagination led her to transform these 10 hectares of unspoilt land into a haven that would house her collection of artworks (18th century furniture, china from the Sèvres and Vincennes Royal Manufacturers, and many more). The villa is surrounded by nine themed gardens and overlooks the bays of Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

NICE

The deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur are the dramatic backdrop for elegant Nice.

Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air as you stroll the famous Promenade des Anglais, be charmed by the quaint streets of Old Town, or get a panoramic view of the whole city from atop Castle Hill.

Indulge in classic Provençal dishes and wines in one of the city’s intimate cafes or bustling brasseries.

And don’t pass up the chance to experience the French Riviera’s glitz and glamour by taking day trips to Saint Tropez and Monaco.

Sightseeing

Also known as Vieux Ville, Nice’s Old Town stretches from the foot of Castle Hill to the Place Masséna, the city’s main square. A maze of narrow streets punctuated with broad promenades, the medieval quarter evokes the time in history when Nice was allied with independent Italian states. Streets are lined with structures adorned with Italianate façades, faded gold paint and red-tile roofs. While many of the buildings now house shops and eateries that cater to tourists, Vieux Nice remains home to locals too. It’s one of the best areas to sample the region’s pastries and Niçois-style pizzas.

Promenade des Anglais. The seaside boardwalk that runs along the Baie des Anges owes its existence to the British tourists who first popularized Nice as a holiday destination in the early 18th century. When hard economic times brought an influx of people to Nice searching for work, some of the wealthy Englishmen proposed paying them to create a walkway along the rocky beach. Today, it’s one of the most famous seaside promenades on the Mediterranean, lined with palm trees, beach cabanas, chic cafés and luxury hotels. The most well known attraction in Nice, strolling along the Promenade des Anglais is a quintessential Riviera experience not to be missed.

Little remains of the medieval fortress that once guarded Nice’s Vieux Ville from high atop a rocky hill, but the place where the Colline du Château stood still attracts visitors. Now a scenic park, Castle Hill offers spectacular views of the Old Town and shoreline below. Travelers can climb the 213 steps to the hill’s summit or can shorten the trek by taking the elevator located near the Hotel Suisse. In addition to crumbling castle walls, there’s a waterfall, several cafés, a children’s play area and a cemetery worth exploring.

A broad promenade situated in Nice’s Old Town, the Cours Saleya is the site of the city’s famous open-air markets. Once a park for Nice’s upper classes, it’s shaded by trees and surrounded with 18th-century mansions, many of which are now home to pubs and restaurants serving Niçois cuisine. Sellers hawk fresh flowers and produce here every morning, Tuesday through Sunday. Antiques and collectibles are sold at the east end of Cours Saleya on Monday mornings. Nearby is the yellow stone building where Matisse lived and painted from 1921 to 1938.

MONTE CARLO

Aside from the Vatican in Rome, Monaco is the smallest independent state in world.

Bordered by France on three sides, Monaco occupies a prime stretch of real estate on the French Riviera but has a character that is entirely its own. Encompassing less than a square mile of land, the nation is almost entirely urban yet has the feel of an elegant resort town.

Other attractions include the Casino, Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium as well as the changing of the guard at Monaco-Ville, a palace that was originally a medieval fortress.

Sightseeing

The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is the official home of the country’s rulers, the Grimaldi family, which is currently headed by Prince Albert II, the son of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. The fairy tale palace began as a fortress in the 12th century, but over the centuries fell into a shambles; Prince Rainier is credited with restoring the palace to its former grandeur. The palace is open to the public annually from June to October. Once inside they‘ll find a courtyard made from 3 million pebbles that form a geometric pattern, and historic Genovese frescoes. Everyday at 11:55 AM, in front of the Palace’s main entrance visitors can watch the changing of the guard ceremony performed by the “Carabiniers”.

Monaco-Ville, also known as Le Rocher or The Rock, offers visitors a chance to stroll through the country’s oldest neighborhood. This old town, which is built on rocky land that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea, may date back to the 6th century BC when the ancient Greek established a colony here. In the 13th century, Monaco’s founders, the Grimaldis, made an ancient fortress their headquarters. Monaco-Ville is made up almost entirely of pedestrian streets and passageways and retains its medieval character. There are a number of hotels, restaurant and souvenir shops, as well as several of the city’s famous landmarks, including the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and St. Martin’s Gardens.

Monte Carlo Harbor is another place where the rich and famous dock their expensive yachts. Located in La Condamine, Monaco’s second oldest neighborhood, visitors will find the royal vessel belonging to the Prince of Monaco; it is docked at Port Hercules, among the yachts and ships. The port here can accommodate up to 500 vessels in a very scenic setting. Travelers may want to relax at a waterfront café where they can enjoy the beautiful luxurious yachts and scenery in a glamorous setting.

Monte Carlo Casino was established in the 19th century to save the Grimaldi family from bankruptcy. At that time, Monaco was poor with little infrastructure to support tourism. The plan worked. The Monte Carlo Casino today lures gamblers to Monaco, with games of chance, including roulette, Baccarat, craps and slot machines; even James Bond tried his luck here. The casino has a dress code and charges admission; foreign visitors need to show passports or other ID as Monaco residents are not allowed inside.