ParadouTravel

St Jean Cap Ferrat & Surroundings

St. Jean Cap Ferrat, a small fishing village nestled by the water on this beautiful penninsula called Cap (cape) Ferrat, is a welcome respite from the non-stop trendiness of places like Cannes and St. Tropez. Located between Nice and Monaco, St. Jean offers the only sandy beach on the Cote d'Azur, east of Antibes.

St. Jean is a wonderful place to use as your home base when exploring the sights of the Riviera. Towns such as Antibes, Nice, Monaco, Eze, St Paul de Vence and Grasse are all within an hour's drive. Even the capital of the fabled Italian Riviera, St. Remo is within a 90 minute drive.

For the more adventurous, you can stretch your day trips abit further and be in Aix de Provence within 2 hours and for the truly ambitious, get an early start and drive to Paradou for lunch. A two and a half hour trip, but well rewarded with a spectacular lunch and the beauty of newarby Les Baux and St Remy.

Things to see nearby:

NICE - There is much to see in Nice. From people watching, strolling, and sunning on the Promenade des Anglais to exploring the markets and alleyways of Old Nice. Nice has an incredibly vibrant history, having been a part of Italy until the mid-1800's, it has been a long time favorite for the aristocracy of England and Russia. The influences of all of these cultures can be easily seen throughout the city.

ANTIBES - About an hour away, Antibes was a favorite with artists in the 1920's. Picasso spent much time here. His museum is most definitely worth a visit, as is the town's marketplace and waterfront marina.

MONACO - Well....its Monaco. If the urge strikes you to do a little gambling or to treat yourselves to a wonderful, but very expensive meal at Alain Ducasse's Louis XV, take a short drive to this tiny principality.

EZE - A beautiful medieval hillside village affording some of the most incredible views. A great place to take a stroll and have a picnic. I had the most incredible spit roasted lamb at a restaurant here...unfortunately its name escapes me.

ST PAUL DE VENCE - Truly one of the most beautiful villages in Europe. Sitting atop a hill, St Paul is bathed in beautiful sunlight beneath an azure blue sky that has inspired many artists - from Magritte to Calder to Chagall, who is busied in the town's cemetery. If you get the chance, make a reservation at Le Colombe d'Or. Many of the prominent artists, in their less prominent youth traded works of art for meals. Their paintings now adorn the restaurant.
GRASSE - Known as the Perfume Capital of the World, the air in Grasse is redolent with aromas of flowers. A town that has seen its better days, but is still worth a visit.

THE CORNICHES - The Corniche Inferiure, the Moyenne and the Grande Corniches, are three roads at differing heights hugging the cliffs along the mediterranean from Nice to Menton. Offering incredible vistas over the Mediteranean and numerous beautiful villages along the way, these drives bring out the race car driver in many (guilty of this one) and may not be for the feint of heart...when in the company of the race car inspired.

If you are interested in renting or have any questions, please send an email to info@paradounyc.com.