Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Background

Nicknamed ‘the pearl of the Riviera’ Cap Ferrat is a peninsula located between Nice and Monaco where the charming port of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat sits neatly on the eastern coast and, along with the neighbouring towns of Villefranche sur Mer and Beaulieu sur Mer, forms so-called ‘golden triangle’ of the Cote d’Azur.

Much of area’s prestige is down to King Leopold II of Belgium who, impressed by the cape’s outstanding natural beauty, began buying property and land there in 1899. He built a sprawling estate of mansions and exotic gardens which attracted other royals and aristocrats from around Europe, including the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild, whose eye-catching villa is one of the most legendary properties on the Cote d’Azur.

The town of Saint Jean has maintained much of its village atmosphere which belies the extravagance of most the properties surrounding it. Thanks to beautiful gardens, private beaches and high perimeter walls, residents of Cap Ferrat enjoy a high level of peace and privacy which continues to attract buyers looking for a more discreetly tranquil Riviera retreat than offered in the larger towns along the coast.