PICTURES. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the treasure of the coast
A small town on the Côte d’Azur, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is renowned for its many second homes, its maritime paths, its beaches and its impressive panoramas. Monaco Tribune takes you there.
Our visit begins at the entrance to the Maurice Rouvier promenade. Starting from the Baie des Ants de Beaulieu, this is one of the access routes to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The 1.3km of the trail can be covered in about twenty minutes.
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Welcome to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat itself. The end of the path takes us to the port of the town. The history of the latter was built around activities related to fishing. Today, the port is home to Quai Virgile Allari, where there are shops and restaurants along the water. In summer, many nautical activities are offered there.
Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat is sparsely populated and for good reason. The territory of the commune is mainly occupied by hundreds of villas, almost 500, most of them very luxurious. These properties make it one of the main residential sites on the Côte d’Azur.
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We leave the “city center”, towards Pointe Saint-Hospice. Our first stop is at the Jardin de la Paix, time to refuel. Located at the water’s edge, the garden offers a superb view of Cap-Ferrat and access to the Fossettes beach.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has three hiking trails. The Maurice Rouvier promenade, the tour of Cap-Ferrat and this one, Pointe Saint-Hospice. On the program, 1.8 km and 40 minutes of walking to the sound of the waves.
After a slight detour from our path, here we are at the gates of the Saint-Hospice chapel. A Historic Monument since 1929, the chapel was completely renovated in 2022. Beside it sits the bronze Virgin, 11m40 high, built in 1903. Below the chapel is the town cemetery. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and offers very pretty panoramas, in almost total peace of mind.
Back on the trail. The view is… quite pretty.
And here is the treasure of the beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. La Paloma beach is very popular. Its discreet location, its green setting and its view of the cliffs of Beaulieu and Eze have made it a success. It marks the end of the Pointe Saint-Hospice trail.
There is also Paloma Beach, a private beach built in 1948. Matisse, Elton John, Tom Cruise, Churchill, they all imagined it. Count 50 euros for a day of lounging on a beach bed.
Tired of the walk? Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat offers, free of charge, the curious to visit the Museum of Shells. 7,000 shells are exhibited there, including more than 400 world records. It is the largest Mediterranean collection visible to date. Meet at Quai Lindbergh. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The city center is the starting point of the last trail in the town, the tour of Cap-Ferrat (see photo). Larger, it runs along the entire coast of the peninsula. On Pointe Mallongue stands the mythical lighthouse of the town.
Our afternoon ends here. Our return will be via Beaulieu, where the closest station to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is located.