Roquebrune Cap Martin, Alpes-Maritimes
Seaside resort sits alongside an Olde-Worlde perched village
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin lies between Monaco and Menton, and like so many towns on this dizzyingly steep section of the Riviera, has distinct parts - in this case, three.
Perched high above the coast, you'll find the medieval village of Roquebrune, a very pretty and extremely atmospheric 10th century village with spectacular views.
A maze of narrow alleyways for exploring, with pretty squares and charming statues randomly distributed amongst the streets. Below is the forested headland of Cap Martin, where grand Belle Epoque villas sit beneath the cool pines. Down on the beach you'll find the resort town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, where most of the accommodation and new apartment blocks sit in front of a stony beach.
The modern town of Cap Martin is as lively and bustling as any along the Riviera with bars, restaurants and ice cream stalls lining the seafront.
Most of the beach is free access and they have a designated “Handiplage” section where those with disabilities can access the water safely and with assistance.
History & Culture in [locality]
The village of Roquebrune has truly kept its medieval heart. Ancient stone staircases climb between cool narrow laneways and disappear through dark vaulted archways under houses.
Guarding the town is an imposing 10th century fort that seems to have grown from the rock, and through the jumble of stone buildings and bell towers are glimpses of the deep blue Mediterranean far below.
The main square offers stupendous views down on Monaco and across to Menton and the Italian border.
On Cap Martin, luxury villas dot the rocky coastline among the pine trees and olive groves, a legacy of the Belle Epoque years when Cap Martin was considered the most glamorous Riviera resort for the rich and famous - Princess Eugenie, Winston Churchill and William Butler Yeats were among those who participated in the glittering social life. Today, it is more tranquil, although the property price tags certainly won't make you feel that way.
In the newer beach resort down at sea level, apartment blocks dominate the older buildings, with bars, restaurants and ice cream stalls lining the seafront.
Roquebrune Cap Martin is home to one of the oldest human settlements in Europe - the Caves du Vallonnet. The present village grew from Medieval times and is centred around the castle, Château de Roquebrune. Originally constructed in 970, the castle is built into the rocks and is open to the public for a small entry fee. The views from the top out towards Monaco are pretty spectacular.
NB: Check with the tourist office before visiting the Caves du Vallonet as they are often closed for excavations.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
Sights in Monaco
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Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Located in Cap Ferrat
This impressive villa was built in 1906 by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. It overlooks the Mediterranean sea from Cap Ferrat and it is full of antique furniture, Old Master paintings, sculptures and a collection of rare porcelain, while the gardens are classified as Notable Gardens of France.
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Cathedrale Saint-Michel, Sospel
The heart of the old town of Sospel opens out into a wide sunny square dominated by the colourful facade of the Saint-Michel cathedral.
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Bastion Museum, Menton
Located in Menton
The bastion was built in the 17th century by Honoré II, Prince of Monaco, as a fort to defend the entrance to Menton. It now exhibits artwork by Jean Cocteau.
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Parfumerie Galimard, Eze
Located in Eze
Free guided tours of a historic perfume factory in the medieval village of Eze.
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Palais Princier de Monaco
Located in Monaco
The grand palace of the Prince of Monaco was built in 1215 by the Genoese and has been transformed into one of the most luxurious residences in the world.
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Musee du Vieux Monaco
Located in Monaco
A surprisingly diverse museum exhibiting a range of artefacts from sculpture and paintings, to military uniforms and musical instruments.
Beaches in [locality]
There are a couple of private beaches and restaurants towards the Cap end of Carnoles beach - family run Le Hippocampe is popular for its good quality home cooking and fantastic views of the bay.
From here you will also find the start of the Corbusier walk, a beautiful and easy stroll around the headland that takes you to Monaco.
The main beach, Carnoles, runs along the front of the town and is the most popular. There are two others, much smaller and more secluded that are also worth a visit.
Beaches in Monaco
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Plage du Buse Beach, Roquebrune
Located 1.2 km away
Plage Buse is a pretty and undulating stretch of pebbly coastline tucked away to the west of the Roquebrune Cap Martin peninsula.
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Plage du Golfe Bleu Beach, Roquebrune
Located 1.5 km away
This family-friendly beach is easy to get to but not so easy to find, which is perhaps why it always stays fairly quiet even in peak season.
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Baie du Soleil Beach, Menton
Located 3.0 km away
Made up of a selection of private and public areas, with the most popular stretch being Plage de Fossan to the east.
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Plage du Larvotto Beach
Located 3.6 km away
Larvotto is the principality of Monaco's most popular sandy beach and the main one with free public access. Covered in smooth imported fine gravel this man-made beach is made up of both private and public areas of beach.
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Baie de Garavan Beach, Menton
Located 3.6 km away
Set to the back drop of Menton's colourful and pretty old town, these beaches stretch eastwards from the Port towards the Italian border.
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Plage Marquet Beach, Cap d'Ail
Located 6.3 km away
Plage Marquet is the most easterly of the Cap d’Ail beaches and is right on the border with Monaco.
Dining in [locality]
If you’re looking for somewhere atmospheric to have dinner then try Au Grand Inquisiteur, a tiny stone vaulted restaurant tucked away up near the chateau - it’s so small that the kitchen is in another building on the opposite side of the street!
Les Deux Frères, meanwhile, has mesmerising terrace views across the coast and offers up French gastronomy, while elegant Elsa won a Michelin star for its wonderful use of fresh and local produce and it's 100% organic.
For something less highfalutin but still delicious, head to Euro Pizza, for some of the best pizza, bruschetta and salads you'll find on this side of the Italian border, and refreshingly cheap.
Restaurants in Monaco
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Louis XV Restaurant
Located in Monaco
Considered by many to be the finest restaurant on the Riviera, this Alain Ducasse delight has an opulent and dazzling setting in the heart of the Hôtel de Paris and holds three Michelin stars.
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Las Brisas Restaurant
Located in the Monte-Carlo Bay Resort, this restaurant is open only in the summer and serves Mediterranean cuisine on a pleasant terrace.
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Metropole Monte-Carlo Restaurant
Located in Monaco
Located in Hotel Metropole, this restaurant is lead by Executive Chef Christophe Cussac. It holds two Michelin stars.
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La Maree Restaurant
Located in Monaco
'Fish chic' restaurant in Port Hercule that is located on the sixth floor of the Port Palace Hotel, overlooking the marina.
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Le Cap Restaurant, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
Located in Cap Ferrat
Michelin-starred chef, Didier Anies, recognised as Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2000, has created a gourmet cuisine at this restaurant; one which is unfussy, full of flavour and low key yet elegant.
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Horizon Rooftop Restaurant & Champagne Bar
Located in Monaco
Views over the Principality's legendary Opera House, Prince's Palace, and Casino - against a backdrop the azure splendour of the Mediterranean.
Things to do in [locality]
Cap Martin is the start of the Corbusier walk, a beautiful and easy stroll around the rocky headland that takes you to Monaco (about two hours each way.)
There are also a number of tougher hikes starting from Roquebrune Cap Martin that head off into the mountains beyond the old village - you can access the start of the GR51 from here.
Roquebrune is also popular with road bikers and there are some beautiful climbs in the area. Check out our hiking and cycling routes.
For those wanting organised sports, the Monte Carlo Country Club is located in Roquebrune Cap Martin; it has tennis and squash courts, snooker, golf practice and a pool and spa facilities, all with stunning views over the Med. This venue hosts the tennis Monte-Carlo Masters.
Things To Do in Monaco
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One Week Yacht Charter Itineraries
Experience the French Riviera your way with 212 yachts, using one of their sample itineraries or with a specialised itinerary created just for you, based on what you like and don't like, as well as their own expertise.
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Luxury Lizard Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Motorbike hire
Located in Menton
Based in Menton, motorbike and scooter rental so you can explore the South of France.
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Luxury Jack III Yacht Trip
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
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Luxury SMILE Yacht Trip
Located in Antibes
Take a trip onboard this luxury yacht along the Riviera to any destination of your choosing.
Nightlife in [locality]
The 'nightlife' high up in Roquebrune village is fairly, if not completely tame; drinking a glass of good Provençal wine whilst watching the twinkling lights of Monaco and listening to busking accordion players is probably much the extent of it.
Down in the beach resort there are bars along the seafront which have a bit of a buzz in the summer months.
For a seriously glamorous night out, the Monaco side of Cap Martin is home to some very ritzy beach clubs like Sea Lounge, this is where the superyacht set of billionaires and models come to drink cocktails, smoke shisha pipes and lounge about listening to DJ's in front of the shimmering sea. And once in Monaco, there is plenty to do-see our Monaco nightlife guide for more details.
Bars & Clubs in Monaco
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Monte-Carlo Bay Casino
In the heart of the spectacular Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, this ultra-modern casino offers a choice of around 150 new generation slot machines which all work without tokens.
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Bar Americain
Located in Monaco
The Hôtel de Paris' fantastic cocktail bar and lounge oozes old world class. It has a cosy, elegant low-key ambiance, with big leather armchairs, sea views and live music from Doctor Gabs' piano.
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Horizon Rooftop Restaurant & Champagne Bar
Located in Monaco
Views over the Principality's legendary Opera House, Prince's Palace, and Casino - against a backdrop the azure splendour of the Mediterranean.
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Crystal Bar & Terrace
Located in Monaco
Sit back in this lounge and take in the magnificent views across the Mediterranean, Port Hercule and the Rock of Monaco, while luxuriating in the atmosphere of exclusivity.
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Blue Gin Bar
With seaside terrace and billiard tables this place is sophisticated and fun, with lounges and icy-cool décor.
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Brasserie du Cafe de Paris
Located in Monaco
With Belle Epoque style windows, recalling the old Parisian bistros, the building creates a bright and friendly atmosphere.
Hotels in [locality]
There are several two and three star hotels in the resort and a handful of small hotels and B&B's in the old village. For something more swanky, head more towards Monaco.
Hotels in Monaco
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Jerome Boutique Hostellerie Hotel, La Turbie
Located in Monaco
Former 13th-century Cistercian monastery tastefully renovated offering 5 beautifully decorated en-suite rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.
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Eza Chateau Hotel, Eze
Located in Eze
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
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Monte-Carlo Bay Resort & Hotel
In a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance, this hotel offers you a whole new experience of a legendary destination.
Price: €19,094
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La Reserve de Beaulieu Hotel
Located in Cap Ferrat
Classic French opulence with Mediterranean charm, all nestled between the mountains and the blue waters of the Riviera.
Price: €19,600
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Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel
Located in Monaco
The Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel is a unique four-star luxury resort. The hotel is one of the largest in Europe with its 602 guest rooms, residences and suites, two restaurants, a bar and a new pool space on the roof which integrates a contemporary touch.
Price: €7,432
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Le Chateau de la Chevre d'Or Hotel, Eze
Located in Eze
Boasting remarkable sea views of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this luxurious hotel is listed among the 500 World's Best Hotels.
Price: €21,700
Directions
Be very aware of which part of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin you are booking in or travelling to, for the beach resort and the medieval village are 2km ( and significant altitudes) apart, and have extremely different characters.
There is a train running from Nice, however, the train station is down by the sea meaning a very steep climb if you want to go to the old village.
There is a bus (no.100) that will deposit you below the village (but the remaining steps are very steep), or take the bus no.21 from Monaco or Menton.
If driving, take either the Grande Corniche road from Nice or the A8 exit off the motorway.