MONACO NEIGHBOURHOOD
© rivieramagazine . fr
Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat
Villa Santo Sospir
The Villa Santo Sospir is one of Cap Ferrat ’ s magical oases awaiting your discovery . It overlooks the bay of Villefranche-sur- Mer to the east and looking to Le Phare , the Cap Ferrat lighthouse to the south . The entire peninsula was previously known as Cap Saint Sospier after a 6th century monk — thus , the name Villa Santo Sospir . The private estate was home to the socialite Francine Weisweiller , who quickly became close friends with writer , film maker and artist Jean Cocteau . Upon visiting Weisweiller at her Cap Ferrat estate , Cocteau remarked that her walls appeared bare and offered to paint a mural above her fireplace . Over 13 years , encouraged by Picasso who was a frequent visitor , he adorned most of the villa ’ s floors and walls with mosaics and frescos .
Tour du Cap — Walking Trails
Cap Ferrat is a narrow promontory and is mostly divided into estates of the rich and famous with a deep penchant for privacy , so much of the residential space of the Cap is divided into heavily secured no-go areas . But where there is a Cap you can be sure there is a wonderful coastal walk and Cap Ferrat does not disappoint . It has a good 7 kms of walking trails that virtually circumnavigate the whole Cap and take in Paloma Beach in Beaulieu-sur-Mer as a bonus . These are not as the same thrill-seeking , steep , super-challenging , wind-pulling-atyour-hair , breath-taking coastal walks of Cap d ’ Antibes . They are gentle by comparison
The coastal walks around the Cap are gentle and full of sea views from every angle and Mediterranean flora and fauna , jasmine , rose oleander and pink bougainvillea
but full of sea views from every angle and Mediterranean flora and fauna , jasmine , rose oleander and pink bougainvillea . You can choose your walk , less than one hour , two hours or three hours . Plenty of time to muse about the celebrities that have lived on the Cap be it Somerset Maugham , David Niven or Charlie Chaplin . You get tantalizing glimpses of celebrity Villas and of course the lighthouse and the Grand Hôtel . For a relaxing walk head from the Port at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to Paloma Beach ; take a swim and then pause the walk for a while — it ’ s a good excuse for a bite and a glass of wine . If you take the longer walk around the Cap and the lighthouse you eventually get a fabulous view of Villefranche and an unrivalled view of Bay of Angels ( La Baie des Anges ). There are some hilly bits and steps but after a couple of hours of mainly pleasant walking around many a rocky outcrop , gazing admiringly at the cobalt sea , treat yourselves to a swim and refreshments at Passable Beach . The shortest and easiest stroll is the 30 or so minute walk to Beaulieu-sur-Mer along the promenade Maurice Rouvier . This is a good route if you are elderly or for those with toddlers in prams . So why bother to go if most of it is hidden behind iron gates and triple security ? Because the best bits are awaiting your visit : the 7 kms of coastal paths with delightful
sea views and teasing glimpses of Villas of the rich and famous . You can also join the rich and famous and « rent » almost the same exclusivity and pampering and stay at the Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat .
Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat
Built by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame it has the « Palace distinction » unique to France which means it exceeds the luxurious pampering that a five-star hotel could provide . If it was good enough for Winston Churchill , Elizabeth Taylor , Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau it may suit you too . In fact , you could do worse than spend a few days there enjoying glasses of wine taking in the vistas at sunset , enjoy the rolling gardens and the gourmet cuisine . Most of all take the glass funicular and ride down the jagged hillside to the 30s-era , infinity-edge swimming pool which is perched just above the Mediterranean shoreline with a view that excels . Perhaps also take a swimming lesson . Former swimming clients apparently include Somerset Maugham , Ralph Lauren , Elie Wiesel , Brigitte Bardot , a few Kennedys and Paul McCartney . If you are a strong swimmer take the plunge during an afternoon diving excursion . Cap Ferrat is a diving sanctuary , well worth the adventure .
130 / Hello Monaco Summer – Autumn 2018