Shoreline trail, superb villas and exotic gardens, charming ports and villages, the Azure Coast holds many treasures and combines natural beauty with heritage. From the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula and its villas to the hilltop village of Eze and its panoramic garden, from the charming port of Villefranche-sur-Mer to the exotic garden of Monaco, heading towards the jewels of the Azure Coast.
Villefranche-sur-Mer Beach © Angelique Saget
On the Cap-Ferrat shoreline trail
Nestled in a verdant setting, the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula extends into the Mediterranean like the great prow of a ship. Known for its sumptuous villas, it enjoys a preserved natural environment and is discovered along the shoreline trail. From beaches to coves, you follow the sea with its bluish reflections bordered by rocks and fragrant pines, set to the sound of cicadas and waves. There are numerous places to stop and rest facing the Mediterranean and the open sea. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the magnificent views of the Azure Coast that the path offers. From here you can see Monaco, the hilltop villages of Eze and La Turbie, Villefranche-sur-Mer bay, and from the lighthouse, the view extends to Nice and the Esterel massif. A hike along the Azure Coast shoreline that gives a wonderful overview of places to visit!
View from Cap-Ferrat trail © Angelique Saget
Discovering sumptuous villas
Nestled among 8 themed gardens at the entrance to the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild dominates the surrounding landscapes and the sea. A must-see visit during your Azure Coast hike! Built from 1905 by Béatrice de Rothschild, daughter of banker and art collector Alphonse de Rothschild, the Villa evokes Italian palaces. You immediately feel transported by its pink and white facades in Renaissance and flamboyant Gothic style. It houses sumptuous apartments decorated in different styles, where 18th-century refinement dominates. Paintings, tapestries, porcelain collections, period furniture – the visit reveals an impressive collection of artworks. Outside, the gardens offer a haven of coolness and a genuine journey through different countries. You stroll through the French garden adorned with pools and water features. You rest in the very refreshing Andalusian garden. And you continue the voyage with the Florentine, Japanese, Provençal, exotic, lapidary gardens and the rose garden. It’s simply exceptional!
Villa Rothschild © Angelique Saget
Another majestic villa, Villa Kérylos, located nearby in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, offers an amazing immersion into ancient Greece. A recreation of an ancient Greek villa, it was built between 1902 and 1908 by Théodore Reinach, archaeologist and statesman, passionate lover of this period in history. Organized around a large central patio, called the peristyle, it comprises rooms with sumptuous décor crafted from Carrara marble, ancient-style stucco and precious wood. On the ground floor, you can admire the state rooms adorned with beautiful frescoes, and on the upper floor, the bedrooms and bathrooms with stunning décor and modern comforts for the time. You complete this discovery by strolling through the Mediterranean gardens and admiring the ancient statues and the sea view.
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The perched village of Eze and its panoramic garden
Discovering the perched village of Eze is a delight. Built on a rocky promontory, it overlooks the Mediterranean and offers one of the finest panoramic views of the Côte d’Azur. To make the most of it, visit it out of season, in autumn or even in winter. Wander through its steep streets, visit its chapel and church, discover its charming old houses with flowered stone façades and see the sea from an altitude of 430 m, making it an unforgettable getaway. But the highlight of the visit is the exotic garden, both for the plant landscaping and the stunning panorama over the Mediterranean. Wooden loungers, misters and water features, cacti, succulents and Mediterranean plants in abundance, feminine statues, … the place is enchanting. So much so that you don’t want to leave. But the call of the sea beckons. So you head to the coast by taking the Nietzsche path for a short hike to the shore, where you can cool off in the Great Blue, amid a dreamlike setting.
View from Eze © Angelique Saget
On the old port of Villefranche-sur-Mer
Another lovely stop on a hike along the Côte d’Azur coast, Villefranche-sur-Mer is home to charming heritage. With its colourful houses, 16th-century citadel and the Saint-Pierre chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau, the old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is a pleasant place for a stroll. You wander through its paved streets, the most remarkable being the Rue Obscure. Dating back to the 14th century, it is entirely covered for about a hundred metres. Built along the rampart, it served as protection from attackers. You continue with a visit to the baroque church of Saint-Michel, built on a charming small square. Then you reach the royal port of La Darse, dating from the 16th century. On the quays, you can sit at a terrace for a drink or meal, enjoying the view over the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, located just across the water. Villefranche-sur-Mer beach, set in the wind-sheltered bay, is another peaceful spot to relax, enjoy the scenery and savour the crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Villefranche-sur-Mer © Angelique Saget
Monaco’s legendary exotic garden
Built in the 1930s at the initiative of Prince Louis II, on sloping terrain, Monaco’s Exotic Garden displays its collections of cacti and succulents in a carefully arranged tangle of vegetation and rocks. With overhanging boulders and impressive cacti rising towards the sky, it evokes the American West. It houses plants from the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America, South Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It includes an artificial cave and offers a lovely view of the famous Rock of Monaco, where the Prince’s Palace stands. The Botanical Centre holds a collection of succulents and cacti in its large glasshouses. Check the garden’s current visitor information before setting out.
View of the Rock of Monaco from the garden © Angelique Saget
Discover the French Riviera through visits and hikes along the coast offers an immersion into the heart of the Mediterranean, its nature and heritage. A journey to experience in peace, off-season, and always under the sun.
Text and photos © Angélique Saget
