Woodsy and exclusive, the indented peninsula of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is studded with idyllic coves that look like private playgrounds for its celebrated inhabitants but are mostly public. If you can get to them! There is little public transport in Cap Ferrat and none to the beaches. Parking is also difficult, especially in summer. But enough negativity.
Take a coastal walk around Cap-Ferrat, dipping into the sea for refreshment. The sandy beaches are quiet, relatively non-commercial and offer calm, sheltered waters. Off-season the beaches are left au naturel which means that the water's edge is carpeted with beds of drying seaweeds.
Food and Drink
There are beach-restaurants on Paloma Beach and Plage de Passable but there are no other restaurants, food stalls or drink stands. It's best to buy lunch in town before arriving.
Access
The only bus that serves Cap-Ferrat is Line 15 which runs from the Nice Port to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and on to Cap-Ferrat. The beaches are within walking distance of the bus stops.
Paloma Beach
Cap-Ferrat's best beach is a spectacular stretch of sand and gravel on the southeast side of the peninsula that opens onto the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. As the beach faces east it's a great for morning sunbathing. More.
Plage de Passable
This small beach is on the northwest side of the peninsula and faces Villefranche-sur-Mer. As the beach faces west, the sun is strongest in the afternoon. More.
Plage Fosses and Plage Fossettes
These two public beaches are practically adjacent to each other and across the small finger of land that contains Paloma Beach on the other side. Plage Fosses is somewhat longer but both beaches are a pleasing mixture of sand and gravel and are fringed with pines for some shade. Although there are beach showers, there are no lifeguards. Parking is along the residential streets near the beaches and can be extremely difficult to find in the summer. Arrive early. Bus 15 stops at "Port de Saint Jean" which is the stop closest to the beach.
Plage les Fossettes
Plage Fosses
Plage Cros Dei Pin
This public beach is right next to the port and looks out at the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. There's a small nautical center here and a slide for kids. Parking is available at the southern tip.
Plage de Grasseuil - Espalmador
Stay in St Jean Cap Ferrat
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This narrow beach is just a stone's throw from the Villa Euphrussi de Rothschild and provides some shade as it's lined with vegetation. There's a parking lot nearby from which a path leads to the beach.
Map
View Cap Ferrat Beaches in a larger map