When Russian and British aristocratic families discovered the mild winter climate of the Côte d’Azur(*) at the end of the nineteenth century, Saint-Jean was still just a hamlet within the town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It split away in 1904, initially baptising itself Saint-Jean-sur-Mer before becoming Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in 1907 – a much more evocative name! It quickly became the trendiest resort on the “French Riviera”, driven by wealthy visitors including King Leopold II of Belgium, who came here to pursue his secret love affairs... A success ‘capped’ off, if you’ll forgive the pun, in 1908 with the construction of the most sumptuous luxury hotel on the Riviera, the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. Each passing generation added a new chapter to the legend of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the Roaring Twenties established this peninsula as the ultimate holiday destination for celebrities and royalty from all over the world. One of the first was British novelist Somerset Maugham, who bought a property here in 1927 as his main residence (and a source of inspiration for many of his novels) until his death in 1965. After the Second World War, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat capitalised on the reputation of the Cannes Film Festival to attract the world’s leading stars, from Edith Piaf to Elizabeth Taylor, and Jean-Paul Belmondo to Romy Schneider. As the tourist information office of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat explains, a number of painters also fell for the stunning light on the headland: “Henri Matisse was thus entertained on numerous occasions at the Villa Natacha, property of the art publisher Tériade, who received there the many artists with whom he worked, including Chagall and Picasso. But one of the creators who will have most marked Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is Jean Cocteau, a regular guest of the villa Santo Sospir (today located at 14, avenue Jean-Cocteau!) whose walls he decorated with splendid frescoes”.
The properties of dreams
It goes without saying that the real estate market of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is unique on the French Riviera. The luxury properties and Belle Époque villas rarely change hands, since their owners are well aware that they hold the keys to paradise... And when transactions do take place, the prices are astronomical. Above all, those who buy in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat relish the stunning beauty of the peninsula, its gentle way of life, its beautiful beaches, and the constant pleasure of wandering the coastal path overlooking the bay, all the way to Saint-Hospice Point and its ancient chapel, a listed historic monument.
For potential buyers, the dream of owning a home in this iconic place comes within reach if they turn their attention to the two towns that lie on the north side of the peninsula and connect it to the mainland: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Make no mistake, these are by no means a second-rate option, given that they too epitomise the magic and glamour of the French Riviera! Their luxury villas and apartments with sea views are some of the most highly sought-after in the Alpes-Maritimes département, attracting a broad French and international clientele.
(*) Where does the name “Côte d’Azur” come from? According to the website Provence-alpes-cotedazur.com, in 1887 the sub-prefect, Stephen Liégeard, a literary man and poet, wrote a book while by the sea. Captivated by the beauty before him, he was inspired to name his work “La Côte d’Azur”, which translates literally as “The Azure Coast”. He turned the title into a name, and the name went on to become synonymous with this corner of paradise.
In the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat area, we offer villas for sale in Cap de Nice, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Cap d'Ail, Eze, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Menton, Beausoleil.
The Cap-Ferrat and surroundings area is one of the most prestigious destinations on the French Riviera. From the iconic villas of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to the panoramic views in Eze and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, this region offers the epitome of Côte d’Azur luxury. Properties here are renowned for their privacy, architecture, and unrivaled access to the sea. Whether you’re looking to acquire a historic mansion or a contemporary villa, explore our portfolio in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap d’Ail, and beyond for premium real estate investments.
