How to Walk from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

This is probably the gentlest walk on the Riviera: a few hundred meters between villa gardens and crystal-clear water, without the slightest climb. It works for families, with a stroller, or simply as a way to get to lunch at Saint-Jean harbor. Here's how to do it.

The walk at a glance

According to the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Tourist Office:

• Distance: about 1.3 km (some sources say up to 1.5 km depending on where you start);
• Time: around thirty minutes at a relaxed pace;
• Elevation gain: about 5 m, so practically none;
• Surface: paved (asphalt, concrete or boardwalk), waymarked;
• Accessibility: suitable for a city stroller, open in all seasons, free.

It's the shortest of the peninsula's three coastal walks, alongside the Pointe Saint-Hospice path and the loop around Cap Ferrat. It's also one of the oldest pedestrian routes between Beaulieu and the village of Saint-Jean.

Starting point in Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Start at Baie des Fourmis beach, on avenue Fernand Dunan. Beaulieu's TER train station and the "Baie des Fourmis" and "Kerylos" bus stops (lines 15, 84 and 600) are less than 500 meters away. Follow the bay towards Villa Kérylos, the Greek-style house perched on the point: the promenade continues beyond it, towards Saint-Jean .

If you're planning to visit Villa Kérylos, do it before you set off: you'll be right next to it. Our tips are in the article visiting Villa Kérylos.

The route: villas, sea and history

The path follows the eastern shore of the peninsula, facing the Baie des Fourmis and the coastline running towards Èze and Monaco. It's named after Maurice Rouvier, a politician who worked for the independence of the municipality of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, granted in 1904.

In the early 20th century, the cape was still grazing land for goats and sheep; the first grand villas were built along this very path. During World War I, several of them changed purpose: Villa Sicard became an orphanage, the Panorama Palace (Royal-Riviera) a school, and Villa Tribord a training workshop. Today most of the properties are private: you enjoy their gardens from the path without going in.

As you approach Saint-Jean, the view opens up over the harbor, Cros deï Pin beach and the Pointe Saint-Hospice.

Arriving in Saint-Jean and how to keep going

The promenade ends at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat harbor, opposite the town hall. From there, you have several options:

• Have lunch or a drink at the harbor, then head back the same way: about 2.6 km round trip in total.
• Continue to the Pointe Saint-Hospice, a more demanding coastal path shaded by maritime pines, with steps.
• Walk all the way around the cape, a proper coastal hike that takes half a day. It's all covered in our article on walking around Cap Ferrat.

Practical tips

• Best time: the morning. The promenade faces east and catches the rising sun; in summer, set off before 10am to beat the heat.
• Footwear: sneakers are fine, and so are sandals as long as you don't carry on to the Pointe Saint-Hospice.
• Water and shade: bring a water bottle; shade depends on the neighboring gardens and isn't guaranteed .
• Weather: the path runs close to the water; in rough seas, take care. The promenade is listed as open "weather permitting".
• Respect the area: the path is used by locals, with private villas on either side; stay on the route.

Getting back without a car

To avoid walking both ways, take Lignes d'Azur bus 15 from the "Port de Saint-Jean" stop: the line goes back through Beaulieu-sur-Mer (Baie des Fourmis, Kerylos and Gare de Beaulieu stops) before continuing to Nice . At Beaulieu station, you can catch TER trains to Nice, Monaco and Menton.

Kayaking with Azurkay

Once you've walked this coastline, discover it from the water. Our Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour, the closest to the promenade, spends 4 hours exploring the shoreline between Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat, in groups of 16 people maximum, with state-certified instructors. Meeting point and price : all the details are on the Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour page.