Every year, tourists flock to the South of France’s hidden gems. Families choose villas for rent in Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer houses or hotels to visit all the nearby cities by car. Continue reading to learn more about the most well-known locations:
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is one of the most opulent destinations in the South of France, having hosted royalty, heads of state, stars, and celebrities since the early nineteenth century. It has retained its unique, unspoiled charms throughout history. The city and its port exude sophistication, style, and a high standard of living. The world-famous peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, located just a few kilometers from Nice, Cannes, Cap d’Antibes, and Monaco, entices visitors with the allure of a unique and preserved environment. A green oasis in the heart of the Côte d’Azur. This magnificent natural corniche shines with beaches, restaurants, magnificent gardens, and sumptuous villas. Among the royalty and celebrities who have passed through the gates have been Edith Piaf, Charlie Chaplin, Elisabeth Taylor, Romy Schneider, David Niven, Jen-Paul Belmondo, The Rolling Stones, and, more recently, Tina Turner, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Johnny Depp, and Vanessa Paradis. Politicians, artists, including Henri Matisse and Jean Cocteau, have all lived here. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a world-renowned, exclusive, and fashionable seaside resort, but it is much more than that.
We recommend visiting the estates and historic museums before having lunch or dinner at the Grand Hotel.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer, also known as simply Villefranche, is a 6,000-person resort town on the French Riviera, 6 kilometers east of Nice and 10 kilometers southwest of Monaco. The bay of Villefranche is one of the deepest harbors in the Mediterranean. It reaches a depth of 95m between Cape Nice and Cap Ferrat and extends south for 500m, forming the Villefranche Canyon about 1 nautical mile from the coast. Due to the bay’s depth, large Mediterranean cruise ships regularly dock here, where thousands of passengers disembark for excursions to the nearby town of Eze.
The old town of Villefranche can be seen in half a day if you walk along the steep streets. The perpendicular streets between the roughly parallel streets running along the coast are all made up of stairs, as shown on the map below.
Beauleu-sur-Mer
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is French for “beautiful place.” This city has been around since the dawn of time. Because of the beauty of the setting, the inhabitants were subjected to numerous wars until Napoleon Bonaparte annexed the city to France, retaining its name. He only translated it as “Belloloco” from Italian to French. This is an excellent place to unwind, with a mild Mediterranean climate, sunny weather, picturesque landscapes, and azure sea waters. The beauty of these locations has attracted a wide range of celebrities, including members of royal families, business titans, and artists. You will remember the azure sea bathed in the sun’s rays, romantic rocks, golden beaches, and tropical gardens with graceful palm trees after visiting Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
We recommend visiting the Rotunda and the casino. Try the food at African Queen, a well-known restaurant in France that has been in operation for over 20 years, confirming its impeccable reputation year after year.