A friendly seaside resort with a splash of old-school glamour, Cap d'Ail has several beaches ranging from fine sandy beaches with elegant restaurants, to remote and rocky coves.
Cap d'Ail
Friendly seaside resort with a splash of old school glamour
Cap d'Ail is the last town on the French Riviera before you cross the border into Monaco, and there is definitely an overflow of wealth and style. Easily accessible by bus or train from Nice, you can while away the days on the beach or take a day trip to Monte-Carlo. The two towns are separated by a port that hosts a number of festivals and regattas during the summer where you can see some seriously swanky yachts.
There are a number of public parks and gardens, our favourite being Parc Sacha Guitry for its impressive views of the sea. Various guided tours are available through the town and along the seafront - enquire at the tourist office for details and prices.
Events in Monaco
Events in Monaco
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Beaujolais Nouveau
The new Beaujolais has arrived!
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
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Fête de la Musique
Music festival celebrated across France on the summer solstice
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
History & Culture in Monaco
There have been many famous visitors over the years, from Greta Garbo to Winston Churchill. The fine Belle Epoque architecture recalls the heyday of the early 20th century when the Riviera was the place to be for aristocrats and film stars.
Sights & Attractions in Monaco
Villa Camelias is a grand Belle Epoque mansion reflecting the glorious past of Cap d'Ail through a fascinating collection of old photographs. It also houses an art collection of Ramiro Arrue, an artist who represented the Basque country through drawings, paintings and enamels. The villa gardens are a cool and shady oasis, overrun with olives, carobs, mimosas, ginko biloba, Judas trees, bougainvillea, camellias, fragrant jasmine, iris, tomatoes, roses, geraniums and many other flowers. The villa is open Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and entry costs 9€.
Sights in Monaco
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Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
Museum tracing the history of evolution through the ages
The area around the Cote d'Azur is rich in prehistoric artefacts, many of which can be found in this fascinating museum.
Beaches in Monaco
Cap d'Ail only has two proper beaches but they are both lovely - and very different. Plage Marquet is by the port, right on the border with Monaco. It is a large sandy beach with tennis courts, volleyball, sailing club, watersports, parking and a couple of restaurants. It is definitely the easiest in terms of access and is very family-friendly. The more adventurous will love Plage Mala though, a secluded little cove accessed by a hidden staircase with many steps. It has two very good (if slightly pricey) restaurants and the possibility to hire paddle boards and pedalos. Access is not easy and is probably impossible for those in wheelchairs and there is no parking but if you can find it, it's worth the effort. There are unsupervised coves for swimming all along the coastal path but the waves can be strong here, so only attempt it if you are a confident swimmer. Visit our Beach Guide to reach more about beaches in Cap d'Ail and the surrounding area.
Beaches in Nice
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Plage Marquet Beach, Cap d'Ail
A popular beach close to the Monaco border
Plage Marquet is the most easterly of the Cap d’Ail beaches and is right on the border with Monaco.
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Plage Gramaglia Beach, Cap d'Ail
Rocky cove suited to strong swimmers - ladder access to the sea
Located just beneath Restaurant La Pinede along the Sentier Littoral, Plage Gramaglia is more a series of rocky coves than a traditional beach.
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Plage Mala Beach, Cap d'Ail
A find pebbly beach with a safe swimming area
This is a small and secluded beach with two excellent restaurants and safe swimming. Plage Mala is a little haven.
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La Plage d'Eze Beach, Eze
A great beach for swimmers and watersports fans
Eze-Sur-Mer has only one beach but it’s a lovely one; great for swimming as the water comes very high up the beach and it's in a calm bay.
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Plage de la Petite Afrique Beach, Beaulieu Sur Mer
A fine pebble beach with lots of facilities and parking
Plage de la Petite Afrique is, in our humble opinion, one of the best beaches on the French Riviera, surrounded by stunning scenery with plenty of facilities.
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Plage du Golfe Bleu Beach, Roquebrune
Great family friendly beach, a short walk from Roquebrune
This family-friendly beach is easy to get to but not so easy to find, which is perhaps why it always stays fairly quiet even in peak season.
Dining in Monaco
Cap d'Ail has a selection of good restaurants, most specialising in fresh seafood and a high-end version of typical Provencal cuisine. You'll find most of them around Square Beaverbrook in the centre of the town, at the port, or along the seafront - if you want to enjoy a romantic meal with an exceptional view then take the coastal path and find La Pinede near to the train station. If you want to dine with a sea view then there is the highly recommended Restaurante La Pinede right on the seafront, or a choice of two lovely restaurants at Plage Mala.
Restaurants in Monaco
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Hostellerie Jerome Restaurant, La Turbie
Michelin starred restaurant in the heart of La Turbie
Chef Bruno Cirino prepares Mediterranean dishes that carefully showcase the flavours of local produce. A light and creative cuisine that you can enjoy in their elegant dining room with vaulted ceilings and frescoes or their shaded terrace overlooking the sea.
Nightlife in Monaco
Bars & Clubs in Monaco
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Casino de Beaulieu
This beautiful building has been recently renovated to its former glory!
Reopened in December 2014 and restored to its original elegance with a touch of modern glamour this is 'must see' building as well as fantastic entertainment venue.
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La Cave Nature Restaurant
Restaurant, bar and wine cellar in Villefranche
In a simple and relaxed atmosphere, La Cave Nature is a place of tasting organic wines and specialities of the house such as sandwiches, Mediterranean products freshly prepared, and tastings of cheeses and Italian delicatessen.
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Le Cosmo Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Located on a pretty pedestrian square overlooking the sea
In a relaxed family atmosphere, the restaurant Cosmo offers a variety of traditional, Mediterranean and French cuisine.
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Ma Nolans, Nice Port
Find a bit of the Irish with some great views over Nice Port
Ma Nolan’s, Nice Port is designed to be a warm, welcoming and atmospheric venue, the perfect place to eat, drink and party.
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AMF Acropolis Bowling
Many bowling lanes with several pool tables & arcade games
Located behind the Acropolis, the AMF centre is one of the largest bowling alleys in France.
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Les Compagnons de la Grappe
Intimate wine bar & restaurant on the outskirts of Old Nice
The wine cellar specialises in rare wines and old vintages while the restaurant sits 45 people.
Things to do in Monaco
Cap d’Ail has a beautiful coastline with a path running along it that connects its two loveliest beaches, Plage Mala and Plage Marquet. The path is an easy stroll past luxurious villas and rocky volcanic outcrops, you can read more about it on our hiking routes page.
The port of Cap d’Ail is right on the border with Monaco; it hosts regattas and sea festivals during the summer months and is a hive of activity for watersports enthusiasts. Visit Cap Dive to explore the underwater world of the Mediterranean - they take anyone over the age of 8 years for beginner through to advanced scuba dive trips and also offer snorkelling. Sunsation Taxi Boat (on the port in front of the Hotel Marriott) offers you the chance to try wake surfing, wake boarding, snorkelling, doughnut rides and more. The port also has a helipad, from which you can be in either Monaco or Nice in just 6 minutes. If you need somewhere to park your yacht (and, let’s face it, who doesn’t?), the port has 257 places and can accommodate boats of up to 60m.
Things To Do in Monaco
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Monaco & Monte Carlo by Night, from Nice
5hr guided tour of Monte Carlo by night
Witness the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo after dark.
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Private Sightseeing Tours
French Riviera tailor made & group tours
A wide selection of guides and tours of the French Riviera covering famous destination such as Monaco, Antibes, Cannes, Nice and Saint-Tropez. You can also experience the Italian Markets in San Remo and Ventimiglia as well as enjoy wine tasting and culinary tours.
Yachts & Sailing in Monaco
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Winning Streak Superyacht - 28.14m Yacht Charter for up to 12 people
Superyacht in Nice for up to twelve people (sleeps eight)
The 28.14m motor yacht Winning Streak is a sleek Sunseeker build that delivers a perfect blend of comfort, style and performance. Designed for both entertaining and relaxing, she is an excellent choice for spending quality time with family and friends or hosting guests at sea.
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Andreas L Superyacht - 60m Yacht Charter for up to 12 people
Superyacht in Nice for up to twelve people (sleeps twelve)
Experience refined luxury on board Andreas L, a striking 60-metre motor yacht built by Benetti. Delivered in 2008 and extensively refitted in 2018, she combines elegant design with modern comforts, making her a standout choice for cruising the Mediterranean.
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Ava Motor Yacht - 40m Yacht Charter for up to 49 people
Motor yacht in Nice for up to forty nine people (sleeps eleven)
Motor yacht Ava is a timeless 40 metre yacht based in Monaco year-round. Making her an excellent choice for discovering the French Riviera in style. She is one of the rare yachts that can cruise with more than 12 guests on the Riviera, being able to take up to 49 guests cruising. So she is a popular choice for spoiling all your friends with a yacht charter or for impressing associates for a corporate event.
Watersports in Monaco
Watersports in Monaco
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Cap Ferrat Diving School
Providing you with everything you need for your underwater journey
Whichever excursion you choose, you will be closer to discovering the many secrets of the underwater world.
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Inflatable Rides, Villefranche Sur Mer
10min rides on inflatable tubes and sofa boats
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Parasailing, Villefranche Sur Mer
Single, double or triple flights from age 5 years up!
Fly at 50 metres above the sea by yourself or with friends security attached, enjoy a spectacular view of the gorgeous Baie des Anges, mountains and surroundings.
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Club Nautique de Nice
Rowing and sailing club in the heart of the old port of Nice
Rowing, power boating and sailing. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, whether you prefer a leisure or competitive approach, the club offers its resources, its equipment, its fleet (except for power boating).
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Nice Diving School
Exploration of the Mediterranean underwater wonders & diving lessons
Nice Diving unveils to its clients the underwater marvels of the Mediterranean ocean along the shores of the Cote d'Azur.
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Le Poseidon Diving School
Scuba diving courses, exploration & snorkelling in 25 diving sites
Located in the harbour of Nice this diving school enables beginners, intermediates and confirmed divers to explore 25 diving sites.
Holiday Rentals in Monaco
Holiday Rentals in Monaco
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Villefranche-sur-Mer Apartment
2 bedroom Apartment in Nice. Sleeps 4
Beautiful and bright 40m² apartment with a modern decor close to shops , beach and restaurants.
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Villefranche-sur-Mer duplex Apartment
2 bedroom Apartment in Nice. Sleeps 4
Villefranche-sur-mer, for rent, nice 2 bedroom duplex apartment of 85 m² floor space located on the heights of Villefranche with panoramic sea view.
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Chemin du Mont des Mignons Villa
5 bedroom Villa in Nice. Sleeps 10
On the heights of Nice, beautiful stone house of around 500m² with swimming pool benefiting from a beautiful hills view.
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Nice Mont Boron Villa
3 bedroom Villa in Nice. Sleeps 6
For rent in Nice Mont-Boron, on the heights, a villa of about 200 m², benefiting from a nice sea view with terraces and garden.
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Cap de Nice Apartment, Nice Area
3 bedroom Apartment in Nice. Sleeps 6
In a prestigious residence with swimming pool and park beautiful duplex apartment of about 140m2 profiting from terraces and from a little private garden.
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Belle Aurore Villa
5 bedroom Villa in Nice. Sleeps 10
Set on the hillside of Nice, overhanging the Méditerranean sea and located into the most beautiful residential quarter of the town, this 400m2 villa is planted in a 3000 m2 enclosed garden and surrounded by a natural parc.
Hotels in Monaco
There is a small selection of hotels, from budget to luxury, and all at competitive prices when compared to Monaco.
Hotels in Monaco
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Eza Chateau Hotel, Eze
Charming Chateau hotel with stunning views & Michelin quality restaurant
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
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Cap Estel Hotel, Eze
A beautiful 5 star boutique hotel in its own gated estate
Situated on its own two-hectare peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel has wonderful panoramic views. With only 28 rooms spread over four separate locations, it is a very private and luxurious place to stay.
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Le Chateau de la Chevre d'Or Hotel, Eze
Chic hotel with stunning views, Michelin starred dining & spa facilities
Boasting remarkable sea views of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this luxurious hotel is listed among the 500 World's Best Hotels.
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Jerome Boutique Hostellerie Hotel, La Turbie
Small boutique hotel in the centre of La Turbie
Former 13th-century Cistercian monastery tastefully renovated offering 5 beautifully decorated en-suite rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.
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La Vieille Bergerie B&B, Eze
19th century for barn converted to a charming, quiet & secluded B&B
Located at the entrance of the De La Revère park, this delightful bed and breakfast is full of charm.
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La Bastide aux Camelias B&B, Eze
Charming Michelin-recommended Provencal home with a spa & pool
This bed and breakfast in the Grand Corniche has four lovely rooms and one suite with fantastic facilities.
How to get to Monaco
Access to Cap d’Ail from Nice is very easy, either take the train (direction Vintimille) or hop on the 100 bus.
Transfers for Nice
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Private Airport Transfers
Effortless and reliable transfers from Nice Airport to the city centre
From the airport to the city centre, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
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Helicopter Charter Flights
Luxury helicopter transfers to the French Riviera & the French Alps
Heli Securite offer transfers on a helicopter from the airport to your yacht or various destinations in and around the Cannes area, St Tropez and Monaco. In addition to this they also service all of the main French ski resorts from their base in Courchevel.
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Private Airport Transfers
Reliable private airport transfer & taxi service
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
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Helicopter Transfers & Scenic Flights
Helicopter charter company based in Monaco with over 25 years experience
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
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Helicopter Airport Transfers & Scenic Flights
Monaco - Nice Helicopter Shuttles, plus French Riviera Scenic Flights
Created in 1976 this company has grown and has now transported well over 100,000 passengers. They have a fleet of 12 craft to meet client demands.
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Private Jet & Helicopter Transfers
Aircraft & helicopter charter company based at Nice Airport in the South of France
With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
Property For Sale in Monaco
Property for Sale in Monaco
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Villa for Sale | sjc260062
5 bedroom bathroom, 300m² Villa in Èze
Located in Èze, just minutes from Monaco, this beautifully renovated villa enjoys a calm and exclusive environment, surrounded by lush greenery and offering lovely open sea views.
Villa for Sale | sjc260062
€4,450,000 -
Villa for Sale | bsm260475
3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 220m², Villa in Èze
Contemporary Villa with Spectacular Sea Views
Villa for Sale | bsm260475
€5,450,000 -
Villa for Sale | bsm260456
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 178.78m², Villa in La Turbie
Located near Monaco in one of La Turbie’s most sought-after residential areas, this exceptional property of approximately 179 sq m offers a privileged living environment.
Villa for Sale | bsm260456
€1,985,000 -
Villa for Sale | sjc260064
5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 550m², Villa in Èze
Nestled in the heart of a private and secluded estate, this exceptional property spans nearly one hectare of land, set in a haven of absolute tranquillity.
Villa for Sale | sjc260064
€7,950,000 -
Villa for Sale | BSM250343
4 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 320m² Villa in Alpes-Maritimes
Charming provencal villa with a panoramic sea view.
Villa for Sale | BSM250343
€4,800,000 -
Villa for Sale | bsm260483
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 191.53m², Villa in La Turbie
Country house offering great potential
Villa for Sale | bsm260483
€790,000
















































































