Attractions

Villa Kérylos, rue Gustave-Eiffel (tel. 04-93-76-44-09), is a replica of an ancient Greek residence, painstakingly designed and built by the archaeologist Théodore Reinach, who mimicked ancient Grecian life here for 20 years. Inside the cabinets are filled with a collection of Greek figurines and ceramics. But most interesting is the reconstructed Greek furniture, much of which would be fashionable today. One curious mosaic depicts the slaying of the Minotaur and provides its own labyrinth (if you try to trace the path, expect to stay for weeks). It is open February 15 to November 1 daily 10am to 6pm (until 7pm July-Aug); November 2 to February 14 Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Admission is 8.50€ adults, 6.20€ for seniors and children 7 to 18, and free for children 6 and under.

Casino de Beaulieu, avenue Fernand-Dunan (tel. 04-93-76-48-00; www.casinobeaulieu.com), was built in the Art Nouveau style in 1903. The slot machines are open daily, without charge, from 11am to 4am. The salles des grands jeux are open daily 9am to 4am. Management strongly recommends that men wear jackets. Entrance to the grands jeux costs 11€, and patrons must present a photo ID.

Also in the casino is a deluxe restaurant, La Coupole (tel. 04-93-76-48-00), which overlooks the Mediterranean. The upscale brasserie de luxe serves seasonal gourmet cuisine that might include snails in garlic butter, roast breast of duckling with citrus sauce or with figs, and a wide array of grilled fresh fish. It's open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 2pm and 7pm to midnight.

The town boasts an important church, the late-19th-century Eglise de Sacré-Coeur, a quasi-Byzantine, quasi-Gothic mishmash at 13 bd. du Maréchal-Leclerc (tel. 04-93-35-70-45). With the same address and phone is the 12th-century Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria de Olivo, used mostly for temporary exhibits of painting, sculpture, and civic lore. Both sites are open daily from 8am to 7pm.

As you walk along the seafront promenade, you can see many stately Belle Epoque villas that evoke the days when Beaulieu was the very height of fashion. Although you can't go inside, you'll see signs indicating Villa Namouna, which once belonged to Gordon Bennett, the owner of the New York Herald, who sent Stanley to Africa to find Livingstone; and Villa Léonine, former home of the marquess of Salisbury.

A Day at the Beach -- Don't expect soft sands. Some seasons might have more sand than others, depending on tides and storms, but usually the shore surface is covered with light-gray gravel that has a finer texture than beaches at other resorts nearby. The longer of the town's two free public beaches is Petite Afrique, adjacent to the yacht basin; the shorter is Baie des Fourmis, beneath the casino. Africa Plage (tel. 04-93-01-11-00) rents mattresses for 8€ per day and sells snacks and drinks.