Saturday, September 21st - Day 11 Cap Ferrat
Located between Villefranche and Beaulieu on a beautiful peninsula, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has been the playground of the rich, famous, artistic, and aristocratic from the Belle Epoque to the present day. Some descriptors include: "Iconic French Riviera," "Wild beauty, stunning villas, sleek yachts," and "Abundance of opulent historic villas owned by millionaires and billionaires." We just had to check it out!
Actually, we can just see Cap Ferrat from the terrace of our house!
After consulting our guidebook, we decided on one of three walks on Cap Ferrat - the Promenade de Saint-Hospice which starts at the port and circles on a spit of land past a popular beach and pine forests. It was described as very quiet and serene, with the scent of pine.
We parked about 10 minutes away, walked past the marina with its abundance of people, and along the road to the beginning of the trail at a small park and cafe where we had sandwiches.
Along the way beside the harbour, we passed a statue of Winston Churchill by Paul Rafferty. In 1921 Winston painted several pictures at this location on the Harbour. Fellow painter John Laverty and his wife Hazel owned a home in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and he may have stayed with them. Here Winston is depicted painting this picture, which is sculpted in relief.
We continued to the beginning of our hike around the "Tip of Saint Hospice" and had sandwiches at a small outdoor cafe.
Path along the water
At the far end of the walk, we left the waterfront path and went into the interior to see the Chapelle de Saint Hospice built in the 11th century on the ruins of a sanctuary. It owes its name to a Benedictine monk, named Hospitius, who lived in a tower around 575 AD. He lived as a recluse in total destitution until he was freed and went on to preach the Gospel. The site was a sacred destination for many pilgrims.
View over the cemetery next to the Chapelle That dot out in the water? A yacht!