Beaches
The three beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat:
Paloma beach southeast of the port, on the north side small peninsula (St Hospice). Being on a northeast-facing shore and at the base of some tall cliffs, this beach is the most protected from winds, and has less sun in the afternoons. The location is about a 5-10 minutes walk from the port. From the Port, walk south and up the road past La Voile d’Or; straight, past the hotel Brise Marine, to the junction of Ave Claude Vignon; left, towards “Chapelle St. Hospice”, for about 300 m.
Passable beach is on the northwest side of the main peninsula, past the Office de Tourisme and past the zoo (parc zoologique). It’s west-facing, with a view across the Rade de Villefranche.
Cro de Peï Pin is the biggest beach, located just north of the port at the Anse Lilong (the bay between the main peninsula and the smaller Ste Hospice peninsula), facing eastward into the Baie des Fourmis and the Tete de Chene. There’s a public parking lot alongside the beach.
Museum and Gardens
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (or Villa Ile de France) is a mansion of the Baronness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. It’s a museum in itself (the building and furnishings) and has an enormous art collection. The villa grounds have an extensive set of 7 gardens designed in different styles: French Traditional, Florentine, Spanish, Exotic, Lapidary, Japanese, Provencal. The villa is located at the northern end (entrance) of the peninsula.
Opening times:
| From 1st January to 7 January | From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| From 8 January to 9 February | Weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.Weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| From 10 February to 11 November | from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.(7 p.m. in July and August) |
| From 12 November to 31 December | Weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.Weekend and school holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Zoo
The Parc Zoological is located in the northwestern part of the peninsula, just past the Office de Tourisme. Directional signs are promenent when you arrive. Open every day of the year.
Office de Tourisme
Tel: 0493 76 08 90; Fax: 04 93 76 16 67
Transportation
Train
Bus
Bus Times for Nice / Saint-Jean The Port.
Nearby Towns
Chapelle St Hospice
A short walk uphill (south-east) from the port of St Jean brings you to the Chapelle St Hospice, and a Disney-esque towering statue of the virgin Mary.
The hermit Saint Hospitius c. 580 lived at Cap-Saint-Hospice, between Villefranche and Beaulieu. According to Catholic history he girded himself with an iron chain, lived only on bread and dates, and was blessed with the gifts of prophecy and miracles. A painting within the chapelle shows St Hospice fallen to his knees and about to be beheaded by a sword-wielding figure standing behind. A chilling reference to the savagery still among us fifteen hundred years later.
In the chapel, visitors and locals enter requests and aspirations in a book.
Other Attractions
The Port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Cap Ferrat lighthouse.
