Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a lovely seaside town with many beautiful places to see, discover and experience!
Beaulieu is one of the lesser know and underrated French Riviera destinations, located between Nice and the Principality of Monaco on the gorgeous southern French coast.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a small resort with stunning charm, while being close to the many popular tourist attractions of the Riviera, starting with its capital, Nice, located less than 6 km away.
The French Riviera attracts so many visitors, it is because there are very few regions in the world that offer so many sites and attractions in such a limited space. Thus, Beaulieu-sur Mer can be the ideal place to immerse yourself in the French culture “made in Riviera” and by choosing to stay here rather than Nice, you can enjoy its lively environment and location.
Here are the 5 of the best things to do in Beaulieu-sur-Mer:
1. Beaches
Beaulieu-sur-Mer has a port and two popular sandy beaches at each end of the town:
La Petite Afrique (named for its exceptional microclimate year-round -2 to 3 degrees warmer than in Nice) and La Baie des Fourmis, nestled under the Casino gardens, sheltered from the wind, next to a small harbor, below a pleasant promenade under the pines and with a breathtaking view of the Greek villa Kérylos.
Both beaches have a submerged diving platform, a beach bar and restaurant, watersports clubs, toilets, showers, a lifeguard service during the season and a family friendly atmosphere. They are protected by anti-jellyfish netting in summer and are a short walk from the train and bus stops. A kids play area is situated under the shade of the pine trees, beside the beach volleyball court and the beach club of the Petite Afrique.
2. Belle Epoque Heritage
Along the sea front promenade, and inside the town, there are many stately Belle Epoque villas dating from the days when Beaulieu was a stylish fashionable seaside resort. These villas belonged to the British Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, the US publisher James Gordon Bennett Jr., the English steel magnate, James Livesey, the French civil engineer, Gustave Eiffel, etc. These villas were later converted into residential apartments or holiday rentals.
3. Churches
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is full of cultural assets and this town has two churches dating from the 19th century: the Church of the Sacred Heart and the Anglican church, Saint Michael’s church.
4. Museums and Palace
Villa Kérylos is a palace inspired from Ancient Greece. It is located on a rock above the Baie des Fourmis beach. The villa recreates the atmosphere of a refined noble Greek villa. The house combines ancient luxury with the modern comfort of Belle Epoque villas. The decoration is magnificent, the materials are precious, and the garden is lovely with its breathtaking view on the sea.
The Museum of local history André Cane informs the visitors of the fascinating history of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
5. Walks
There are many walking trails in and around Beaulieu offering most of the time breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. The easy-level walk is the Promenade Maurice Rouvier stretching from Beaulieu to Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The promenade runs along the water on one side and along the most elegant villas and gardens on the other side.
6. Explore the Côte d’Azur
Nice, the capital of the Côte d’Azur, is accessible in 7 minutes by train or 15 minutes by bus from Beaulieu-sur-Mer and for the boldest, in 1h 30 minutes by foot! Some more of the most endearing attractions in the French Riviera to also see include Cannes, Monaco, Antibes and the hilltop villages of the Mediterranean coastline, the Caps inhabited by billionaires, the Alps that plunge into the sea and so many other little towns and scenic spots waiting to be discovered!
Beaulieu-sur-Mer really is one of the most scenic towns in Europe, a real hidden gem that is well worth checking out on any south of France itinerary.
