A Day Trip to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat including Paloma Beach Club from Nice, France – French Riviera

July 2024

A Day Trip to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat including Paloma Beach Club from Nice, France – French Riviera

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a must visit destination in the French Riviera. Located between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest of the Riviera. There is a cap that extends in the ocean and is home to a pine forest as well as many luxury villas. Cap Ferrat provides a relaxing bay that boats and yachts love to enjoy. The uniqueness Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has put it high on the list of most expensive places to live as well. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is located on a peninsula next to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer and extends out to Cap Ferrat.

After a visit to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild earlier in the trip, our journey today took us back to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat but further south into the peninsula to one of the most popular beach clubs along the French Riviera is located – Paloma Beach Club. This was the only one I found in my research to accept a reservation in advance so I knew that meant it was essential. I called at the end of May for our trip in early July and had no problem securing our spot. Getting here from Nice was easy – it involved taking the bus #15 from its start all the way to the last stop nearby the beach. I am glad we ended up doing Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Paloma Beach Club on separate days since the villa can consume several hours and we really wanted to dedicate a full day to the beach club, plus the two are not close to each other despite both being on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat which is quite large.

The buses here are so easy to navigate so the journey was relaxing and scenic as the road hugs the coastline – the views are just so spectacular here so make sure to grab a window seat if you can. It was also fun to recount all the places we visited throughout the week as we passed by from above. 

We arrived to downtown Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat which while is small it has such a great vibe. The town hugs the coastline but since it is in the bay, the water is extremely calm and clear. The boat and yacht culture here was particularly strong but with more modest and reasonably sized vessels. Along the marina is a statue Winston Churchill painting as this was a favorite destination of his and his paintings.

Since our first beach club day had a line prior to opening, we wanted to time our arrival to Paloma Beach Club for before the 9AM opening even though we had a reservation. So we were shocked to arrive and there was not a soul around. You have to descend quite a staircase to reach the beach so just a note on the accessibility piece. But the view is spectacular all around – the water is calm and clear, the beach is quiet and clean, and the mood is very relaxed.

Read our full review of Paloma Beach Club here!

The walk back to downtown Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat was relaxed and so scenic – the landscape here is so unique to the rest of the French Riviera and we really enjoy it.

After a long and relaxing beach day, we were not in the mood for a drawn out meal. I made reservations at Diva Restaurant due to their amazing reviews and we kept it simple by ordering the dish they are known for – spaghetti con vongole or spaghetti and clams. The dish was full for large clams and doused in a super garlicky sauce that we thoroughly enjoyed. 

The bus ride back to Nice was as easy as the way here. We made sure to sit on the side of the bus to enjoy the views of the coast for the last time as our trip was coming to a close.

Our time in downtown Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat was short but spending the entire day on the beach was so wonderful. There is so much to explore and can certainly see this as a place you can stay and enjoy for several days. There is a hiking trail along the entire Cap Ferrat that has amazing views and for a fine dining experience head to Le Quai 28. Make sure you visit Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and even consider staying here or nearby Beaulieu-sur-Mer which seems to be a secret destination to stay along the French Riviera as it is less expensive. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Continue reading about our trip in Nice here!

Read all blog posts for French Riviera here!

See our complete itinerary here!

Planning your own trip? Read the Perfect Itinerary for French Riviera here!

Review our complete carry-on packing here!