Luxury Beaulieu Accommodation

A Brief Overview of Beaulieu sur Mer

Along with Villefranche and St Jean Cap Ferrat, lovely Beaulieu is part of the French Riviera’s “golden triangle”.Just minutes away from Nice and Monaco, Beaulieu has a timeless beauty all of its own. Life here is quiet and relaxed, many of the shops still shut for lunch and an afternoon siesta is practically obligatory. The town gained its independence from Villefranche in 1891 and has never looked back since then. With its lively port, beautiful beaches and thriving little town centre, Beaulieu has got something for everyone. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned holiday resort with a decidedly modern outlook, Beaulieu is definitely the perfect choice for your next French Riviera holiday.

Sitting in a sheltered cove and protected by rocky cliffs, Beaulieu is a proper French seaside town. The town centre is centered around the Basse Corniche road, while the port and beaches are situated on the coast below. Lemon and orange trees line the main boulevards and at night the seafront is lit up by dozens of twinkling fairy lights. To visit Beaulieu is to love it, and over the years the town has played host to many well-known names. Queen Victoria, Gustav Eiffel and King Leopold II,are all amongst those who have fallen in love with this little jewel on the French Riviera

The heart of the town is the main square, Place Marinoni. This little place with its shady olive trees is where a lot of Beaulieu’s action takes place, from the traditional festivals to the annual town ball in August. Named after the first mayor of Beaulieu who resigned after less than 30 days in office, you can enjoy live music at the old-fashioned bandstand and and watch summer fireworks displays over the port. It’s also where you’ll find the Saturday Provençal market. Browse the stalls laden with Italian charcuterie and cheeses, shop for handmade jewellery and stylish leather bags or just pop down for a taste of freshly made socca. The market is always a popular place to meet people and while away a few hours hunting for bargains.

From the Place, make your way through the centre of town with its Belle Epoque buildings and stylish boutiques, to the Avenue Fernand Dunan overlooking the beach.The beaches are definitely one of Beaulieu’s main selling points. La Plage des Fourmis is a sheltered cove framed by the Villa Kerylos and the Promenade Maurice Rouvier which leads to lovely St Jean Cap Ferrat. This is the perfect spot to sunbathe or enjoy a good book, not forgetting of course grabbing an ice cream or two from the little shack at the top of the beach. Once evening falls walk up through the pretty public gardens and check out the Belle Epoque casino and cinema, before strolling along the promenade towards the port.

Right by the Plage des Fourmis is the impressive Villa Kerylos named after the Greek word for kingfisher. Built by renowned grecophile Théodore Reinach, the sparkling white villa is a perfect reproduction of a 5th Century Athenian house. Originally used as the Reinach family home, the villa became a ‘monument historique’ in 1967. Today it’s a fascinating museum and is well worth a visit while you’re in town, especially for the breathtaking sea views from the upper terrasses.  

Skirt around the headland past the Villa and La Reserve hotel, and you’ll find yourself in Beaulieu’s main port area. The glamorous marina makes Beaulieu a popular choice for yacht charter guests and there’s rarely a free berth to be found during the summer months. You’ll love the luxury boutiques which line the waterfront, but the real draw here of course are the restaurants. From the famous African Queen where most of Hollywood has been spotted at one time or another, to newcomer La Berlugan à la Plage, this is the area to see and be seen in Beaulieu. And with valet tender parking plus boat service to your yacht, it’s no wonder this part of town is so popular with visitors.

Keep walking past the marina and you’ll soon come to Beaulieu’s second beach, Plage Petite Afrique. This glorious stretch of shingle not only has some of the best views in town, it even has its own microclimate with temperatures consistently higher than anywhere else on this part of the coast. Legend has it that this is where the first banana tree was planted in Europe, and the lush green foliage around the beach definitely lives up to its African namesake. Bananas aside, Petite Afrique is also the best spot in town for paddleboarding and jetskiing, thanks to its calm waters and gentle slope from the beach to the water.

Behind the Petite Afrique, you’ll find Beaulieu’s lovely Jardin de l'Olivaie, a little piece of Provence right on the seafront. The green park has over 100 ancient olive trees in its grounds and is the ideal spot for an afternoon stroll.The park is used for festivals and concerts throughout the year and is also the location for the town’s famous ‘Nuits Guitares’ evenings. Sit under the stars in the olive grove and listen to some of the best musicians in France play live amongst the trees, this is a very special concert venue indeed.

From the park stroll back up towards the town via the Boulevard Gordon Bennett. This stretch of road was named after one of Beaulieu’s most well-known former residents, the eccentric billionaire James Gordon Bennett Jr. American editor of the Paris Herald, Bennett lived in Beaulieu for a number of years. He was best known for installing a mail coach between Beaulieu and Nice with the very first phone number ever seen in the town, the ubiquitous 01 and is still remembered with affection today by the Berlugans. Then once you’re back in the town centre, why not stop off in one of the little cafés and enjoy a well-deserved drink or two. You’re on holiday on the French Riviera after all, and there’s no nicer place to relax than beautiful Beaulieu. 

When is Best to Holiday in Beaulieu?

We’re pretty sure you’ll agree, it’s always a good time to book a stay in Beaulieu! The seafront, beaches and port are all ideal for a summer holiday, but you can soak up the sun around town all year long. During the summer season, head to Beaulieu and spend your days at La Plage des Fourmis or La Petite Afrique, both prime beach spots. Go paddleboarding or kayaking round the bay or just sip cocktails on a beach lounger, this is the life. Then in the evenings discover some of the fantastic restaurants in town or take in a local festival along the coast. Beaulieu is also perfectly placed for a trip to Cannes or Monaco. Enjoy the bright lights of the big city before heading home to this little slice of heaven by the sea.   

And just because the summer is over doesn’t mean that it's not still a great time to visit Beaulieu. Spend a spring or winter break enjoying Beaulieu’s microclimate and making the most of the mild temperatures and year round sunshine.  With the Southern Alps just a couple of hours away from the coast, you can easily get in a few days skiing or snowboarding while you’re in town. Auron, Isola and Limone are all an easy drive or short helicopter flight away from Beaulieu, there’s nothing like having the best of both worlds here on the French Riviera!

How to get to Beaulieu sur Mer 

Sitting pretty on the coast right between Nice and Monaco, Beaulieu is very easy to get to. Fly into the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport then transfer to Beaulieu by car or train, it couldn’t be simpler to travel here!  

International travel

• By plane: Fly into the nearby Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport from anywhere in the world

• By car: Hire a car or grab an Uber for the 20-minute drive from Nice to Beaulieu

• By train: Beat the traffic with a quick and easy journey from Nice to Beaulieu by train

• By sea: We have partnerships with local yacht brokers if you would like to reserve a yacht berth in the Beaulieu marina during your stay
  
  

Local travel

If you plan to travel to Beaulieu from anywhere in the French Riviera, let us do all the hard work. We’ll organise a private car service with a driver to pick you up and take you and your guests directly to your rental accommodation in Beaulieu.

For more information, please contact us directly.

Luxury Accommodation in Beaulieu

Our selection of holiday accommodation in Beaulieu is nothing short of fabulous. Rent a gorgeous villa on the seafront, or a contemporary apartment in the centre of town, the choice is yours. When it comes to luxurious holiday rental properties in Beaulieu, you've come to the right place.

This 3-bedroom apartment/villa is a great choice for a holiday in town. Located right in the heart of Beaulieu sur Mer, you’ll be just minutes away from the town centre, the port and of course the beaches. The 3 bathrooms are all ensuite and each leads out into the secluded private garden. The living area is bright and spacious and you’ll love the elegant modern interiors throughout the property. The outside space includes the garden, terraces and a private swimming pool, which is perfect for cooling off during those hot summer days.

This stunning Provençal mas is just the place for a family holiday in the South of France. The house is located in a quiet exclusive neighbourhood in Beaulieu, with the town centre just minutes away by car. The property has been tastefully renovated and offers traditional Provençal charm with all modern comforts. There are 5 ensuite bedrooms ensuring plenty of space for all the family, plus a large living/dining area with some incredible views over the Bay below. The kids will love the private children’s playground and the large heated pool, while you’ll enjoy the well-stocked wine cellar, BBQ area and pool house. Spend your evenings on one of the terraces or strolling in the rose garden, we promise that a stay in this villa will be absolutely unforgettable.

We are always updating our website with the latest properties available to rent in Beaulieu To make sure you have all the information, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to see our newest properties as soon as they become available.

Can't find what you're looking for? You could also try accommodation anywhere in the St Jean Cap Ferrat area including Eze and Villefrance sur Mer. 

Things to do in Beaulieu

As part of the infamous French Riviera “Golden Triangle”, Beaulieu’s great location on the coast plus its glorious microclimate make it the ideal spot for a vacation. You’ll love the laid-back atmosphere plus the incredible selection of restaurants, the stylish boutiques and the glamorous casino down on the seafront. Throw in the lively bars around the port area plus 2 beautiful beaches, and you’ve got yourself one of the best resorts on the Côte d'Azur. Here are just a few ideas of how to make the most of your stay in this pretty little town.

Sign of the Zodiac

The harbour around Beaulieu is a haven for marine life. Whales and dolphins are all spotted regularly just a couple of miles off the beaches of Beaulieu and Villefranche. So why not take a Zodiac tour out to sea and get up close with the French Riviera’s most gracious and playful residents. Fastboat Discovery offers daily tours which leave in the early morning from the port of Beaulieu. Cruise the coastline with Captain Patrice and his team and catch a glimpse of sperm whales, manta rays and bottlenose dolphins swimming through the azure water of the Mediterranean. Then once the tour is over, head back to Beaulieu for a well-deserved breakfast laid on by the company before checking out the photos from your early morning adventure. 

Have a flutter

Beaulieu’s beautiful Belle Epoque casino has a prime position right on the seafront. Surrounded by palm trees and overlooking the Baie des Fourmis, the casino setting is just as glamorous as you’d expect. Spend an evening checking out the beautifully renovated gaming rooms upstairs and place a bet or two before trying your luck at one of the many slot machines on the ground floor. During the summer season the casino hosts live concerts and provides DJs to keep you entertained as you gamble. And don’t forget to check out the Terrazza bistro for a bite to eat in between hands. The beachside restaurant is the perfect spot to spend your winnings on a cocktail or two!

Game, set and match

Tennis fans will love Beaulieu’s exclusive Tennis Club with its fantastic red clay tennis courts. Created by British business magnate Sir John Blundell Maple back in 1899, the club has played host to all the most prestigious players in the world over the years. Brush up on your game during a private session with one of the club’s pros or challenge your friends to a doubles match in the sunshine. With its fabulous setting overlooking the Mediterranean plus the incredible French Riviera weather, this is one tournament which you’ll remember for years to come.

Eat, drink and be merry

While you’re in Beaulieu, make sure you head to Café Le Beaulieu for a fantastic evening out. Once the sun goes down over the beach, all the locals head to Le Beaulieu to drink aperitifs and people watch on the terrace. If you get hungry, order a couple of plates of charcuterie and cheese to share, or better still opt for a café gourmand and enjoy a selection of tasty pastries with your coffee. On Friday nights Le Beaulieu has live music playing all evening and anything goes from jazz to rock to groove and funk. Thanks to the lively atmosphere and strong cocktails, we can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be up and dancing before the evening’s over.   

We would love to help you have fun during your holiday in Beaulieu. If you’d like recommendations or ideas about things to do in and around Beaulieu, please get in touch with our team who will be happy to share all their top tips with you.

Best Events in Beaulieu

When you’re staying in Beaulieu, you’ll never be short of things to do. Thanks to its unique position between Nice and Monaco you’ll have easy access to all the best international events on the French Riviera.Without forgetting of course that Beaulieu plays host to some pretty exciting events itself throughout the year. From festivals to concerts, markets to sports tournaments there’s always something going on in this lovely little town.

• Open International Junior Tennis ~ April
• Youth & Family Festival ~ May
• Fete de la Musique ~ June
• Guitar Nights Festival ~ July
• Festival of St Pierre ~ July
• Bastille Day Fireworks ~ July
• Bagna Cauda Evening with dinner & dancing ~ August
• Beaulieu Classic Festival ~ September
• Beaujolais Nouveau Celebrations ~ November
• Christmas Market ~ December

Contact us

Are you ready for the holiday of a lifetime in beautiful Beaulieu? Our team is just waiting to hear from you. Get in touch today and let us organise your stay on the French Riviera in one of our fabulous rental properties.

Contact us