# Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, near Nice > Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a green peninsula on the Riviera between Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Billionaires' and aristocrats' villas hide among the pines, and a coastal path circles the cape past coves, rocks and turquoise water. The former fishing village of Saint-Jean has a cosy port with restaurants, Paloma beach is close by, and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens stand on the isthmus. The peninsula and its paths are free. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/nice/saint-jean-cap-ferrat - City: [Nice](https://yesgo.io/france/nice), France - YesGo score: 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 3 h - Opening hours: Paths and beaches by day - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Paths: By day; sections close in storms - Beach: Paloma by the port, partly paid - From Nice: Bus ≈ 30 min, train to Beaulieu or Villefranche - Duration: ≈ 3–4 hours with a walk - Location: Peninsula between Villefranche and Beaulieu - Coordinates: 43.68778, 7.33417 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **2012** — the world's second priciest homes (source: English Wikipedia) - **1904** — Saint-Jean became its own commune (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 9 °C** — average January temperature (source: English Wikipedia) - **1912** — the Villa Ephrussi was completed (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a resort commune on a peninsula that juts into the sea between [Villefranche-sur-Mer](https://yesgo.io/france/nice/villefranche-sur-mer) and Beaulieu-sur-Mer and ends at Cap Ferrat. In **2012** it was named the world's second most expensive place to live after Monaco, earning it the nickname 'billionaires' peninsula'. It was once the fishing village of Saint-Jean. After Nice joined France in 1860 the peninsula drew kings and the wealthy, and in **1904** it became a commune in its own right. King Leopold II of Belgium built the Villa des Cèdres here and Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild a pink villa on the isthmus, and later Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin, Jean Cocteau and other celebrities lived or holidayed here. ## What to see - **The coastal path** — a seaside trail round the cape past rocks and coves. - **Saint-Jean port** — the former fishing village with restaurants. - **Paloma beach** — a clear-water cove by Pointe Saint-Hospice. - **Pointe Saint-Hospice** — a chapel and a path above the sea. - **The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild** — a pink palace and nine gardens. - **Views of Villefranche and Beaulieu** — on either side of the peninsula. ## The coastal paths The great pleasure of Cap Ferrat is its **coastal paths**. They wind round the peninsula right by the water, rocky trails past cliffs, little coves and pines, with views of the sea, Villefranche, Beaulieu and the distant mountains. You can walk the loop round Cap Ferrat and its lighthouse or the short path round Pointe Saint-Hospice by the port. The paths are free and open by day. They're narrow and rocky in places, with steps, so wear comfortable shoes. In storms and high winds some sections close for safety; check the signs at the trailheads. > **Planning your walk** Come in the morning, when the paths and coves are quiet and the light is soft. Bring water, a hat and swimwear, as there are many spots to climb down to the water. The short loop round Pointe Saint-Hospice takes about an hour, the full loop round Cap Ferrat two to three hours. There are no shops on the paths; eat at Saint-Jean port. ## Saint-Jean port and Paloma beach The heart of the peninsula is the former fishing village of **Saint-Jean**, with a small port of boats and yachts and fish restaurants and cafés along the quay, a good place for lunch after a walk. Five to ten minutes' walk from the port, at the foot of Pointe Saint-Hospice, lies **Paloma beach**, a sheltered cove beneath tall cliffs with clear water and mountain views. Part of it is free and part is taken by a beach restaurant with loungers. The water round Cap Ferrat is among the cleanest on the coast and great for snorkelling. ## Villas and gardens Most Cap Ferrat villas hide behind high walls and trees, but one is open to visitors: the **Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild** on the isthmus, a pink Italianate palace with nine themed gardens and musical fountains, built in 1905–1912. It has its own page. King Leopold II's former Villa des Cèdres now belongs to the family of the founder of Grand Marnier, and part of its grounds is the Les Cèdres botanical garden. A mild climate, around 9 °C in winter and 23 °C in summer, and lush greenery make the peninsula pleasant for walking almost all year. ## How to get there 1. By bus from Nice along the Basse Corniche, changing for the peninsula, ≈ 30–40 minutes. 2. By train from Nice to Beaulieu-sur-Mer or Villefranche-sur-Mer, ≈ 10–15 minutes, then a 20–30-minute walk. 3. On foot from Beaulieu along the Promenade Maurice-Rouvier, about 30 minutes by the sea. 4. By car along the Basse Corniche, with parking by the port and the Villa Ephrussi. ## Tips for your trip Cap Ferrat pairs well with the [Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild](https://yesgo.io/france/nice/villa-ephrussi-de-rothschild) and a stroll in Villefranche or Beaulieu, all on one short stretch of coast. Allow half a day for the peninsula with the villa gardens and a walk on the path. The port restaurants are pricey, like everything here, so bring water and a snack to save money. In summer Paloma beach fills up, so arrive early. Buses on the peninsula are infrequent, so check the return timetable. Bikes and e-scooters are handy for getting between the port, the villa and the paths. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Pack comfortable shoes and water - [ ] Walk the path round the cape - [ ] Swim at Paloma beach - [ ] Have lunch at Saint-Jean port - [ ] Visit the Villa Ephrussi ## Places in Nice: compare and choose Places in Nice rated by YesGo. - [Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat](https://yesgo.io/france/nice/saint-jean-cap-ferrat) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free ## Don't mix it up Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is the peninsula near Nice; Cap d'Antibes is another cape with villas and a coastal path near Antibes, closer to Cannes. ## Tips - The path in the morning. - Comfortable shoes. - Bring swimwear. - Check the bus times. ## Questions ### How do I get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat from Nice? By bus with a change in 30–40 minutes, or by train to Beaulieu and on foot. ### What is there to see on Cap Ferrat? The coastal paths, Saint-Jean port, Paloma beach and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. ### How long is the coastal walk? About an hour round Pointe Saint-Hospice, two to three hours round all of Cap Ferrat. ### Are there beaches on Cap Ferrat? Yes, best known is Paloma by the port, plus small coves along the path. ### Is there a fee to walk there? No, the paths and peninsula are free; the Villa Ephrussi is ticketed. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Path access, beach rules and bus times weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat tourist office, saintjeancapferrat-tourisme.fr --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.