Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Yacht Charter Planning Guide

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Yacht Charter Planning Guide

About St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Chartering a Yacht in St Jean Cap Ferrat | Getting There | Climate | History of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Restaurants | Our Charter Yachts

About Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a jagged peninsula jutting into the sea just north of Villefranche - the most famous of the "Caps" in the French Riviera, and home to exclusive villas, a Rothschild estate, the renowned Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, and a nice Zoo. This lovely destination also boasts Paloma Beach, a sought after beach destination which many people are unaware of.

This stunning peninsula features a picturesque port, and has a delightful stone path that allows you to hike the entire peninsula by the sea, drinking in view after stunning view. There's a small beach near the port, but Cap-Ferrat is famously rocky and jagged, making for excellent views and picture taking. Here is an itinerary to give you ideas of other incredible places along the coast and some of our recommendations of where you can get the best dining experiences!

Chartering a Yacht in St Jean Cap Ferrat

The two types of charters that involve Cap Ferrat are stops on a French Riviera weekly itinerary, or a day charter to see Cap Ferrat and the surrounding area.

Luxury Yacht Charters. Cap Ferrat is a must stop for any luxury yacht charter. Anchoring in the bay (with all the other yachts) you can explore the town, visit the Rothschild Villa and hike around the Cape for some good exercise and a wonderful day out.

Day Boat Rentals. If you are staying in a hotel or villa on the French Riviera, then consider a day charter that includes Cap Ferrat, Villefranche and Monaco. Please see our Cannes to Monaco Day Boat Charter Itinerary for complete information.

Getting There

If you're going to start your charter at St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, it is just a short drive from the Nice airport. If you'll be arriving by yacht, it is an easy cruise or sail from Cannes, Nice or Monaco (less than 1 hour by motorboat), and should be on any itinerary that includes these large port towns.

Climate and Weather

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has a mild, delightful Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures range from 9°C/48°F in January to 23°C/73°F in the summer. There is very little rainfall in the summer, making it ideal for holidays and charters. Although occasionally the Mistral winds arrive, it is more sheltered by the mountains than for example St Tropez, so the winds are not as strong.

History of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The history of this location is fascinating, and understanding it will make visiting even more enjoyable as your roam the streets where it all happened. It was first settled by Celto-ligurian tribes, then by the Lombards at the end of the 6th Century. The Saracens occupied the region in the 8th century, using it as a pirate base until the 11th Century, ahoy me hearties!

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat was given by treaty to the Dukes of Savoy in 1388, who held on to it for several hundred years and constructed a fort to secure the coastline from invaders. The fort could not hold out the Duke of Berwick and the Cap was occupied by the French Army under King Louis XIV in 1706. It became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1814 after Napoleon's abdication, but reverted permanently through treaty to become part of France in 1860.

King Léopold II of Belgium built several residences and an artificial lake. Amongst other luminaries, Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild built the Palazzo in 1905, now known as Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and renowned for its sculpted gardens. To this day, Cap-Ferrat continues to attract the elite, so come and see what brings them from far and wide!