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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