French Riviera Traveller by Jeanne Oliver

Cap d'Ail Travel Guide

French Riviera Map

Nice

Nice to Monaco

Monaco

Menton

Nice to Cannes

Cannes

Saint-Tropez

Mountains

About the Riviera

Practical Information

Top Sights

Best Beaches

Transport

When to Go

 

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Plage la Mala
Mala Beach


Cap d'Ail coast
Cap d'Ail coast

Garlic cape? Yes, that's the translation of Cap d'Ail although the luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation of pines, cactus, flowering plants and palms is far more abundant than garlic. Its proximity to Monaco has made Cap d'Ail a sort of bedroom community for those who work in Monaco. It's quiet at night but spectacular during the day. One of the Cote d'Azur's best beaches is in Cap d'Ail and the seaside walk stretches all the way to Monaco. Along the way are Belle-Epoque villas built at the end of the 19th century to house royalty, financiers and prosperous artists. Greta Garbo, Sacha Guitry, Winston Churchill and Edouard Herriot are some of the famous names that wintered at Cap d'Ail. There are six parks and gardens, the best of which is Sacha Guitry park with sumptuous views over the sea.

Beaches

There a small public beach by the port, the Plage Marquet (Marquet Beach) which is easy to find. The best beach is Plage Mala (Mala Beach) which you reach by descending steep steps from av Combattants-Afrique-Nord in the town centre. With steep cliffs rising on either side and fringed by pines, the setting is stunning and its distance from the town ensures an unparalleled tranquility. A combination of sand and tiny smooth pebbles slopes down to the water where waves are rare. Despite it's relative inaccessibility (forget about parking anywhere nearby) the beach can be crowded in summer. There are beach showers, toilets and a fine restaurant, La Reserve de la Mala.

Getting to Cap d'Ail

By Bus
Bus No 100 from Nice to Menton stops at Beaverbrook Square in the centre of Cap d'Ail.

By Train
The Cap d'Ail train station is in the town centre and is on the Nice-Monaco line. See the schedule here.

By Car
From the A8 motorway, look for the Roquebrune Cap Martin exit. Otherwise take the moyenne or basse corniche.

Tourist Information for Cap d'Ail

The Cap 'Ail tourist office has all information about events and happenings in Cap d'Ail.

Related Pages

From Nice to Monaco


 

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