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 lived and 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's open July to August daily 10am to 7pm; February to June and September to October daily 10am to 6pm; November to January Monday to Friday 2 to 6pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm. Admission is 8€ ($9.75) adults, 6€ ($7.15) for seniors and children 7 to 18, and free for children under 7.

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 Friday and Saturday from 8pm to 4am, Sunday to Thursday 9pm to 4am. Management strongly recommends that men wear jackets, or at least appropriate clothing. Entrance to the grands jeux costs 11€ ($14), 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. 04-93-01-18-24). 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.

Memorable Strolls

For a memorable 90-minute walk, start directly north of boulevard Edouard-VII, where a path leads up the Riviera escarpment to Sentier du Plateau St-Michel. A belvedere here offers panoramic views from Cap d'Ail to the Estérel. A 1-hour alternative is the stroll along promenade Maurice-Rouvier, beginning at a point adjacent to the sea and the Royal Riviera hotel. The promenade runs parallel to the water and stretches between Beaulieu and the old port of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Expect a walk of about 30 minutes each way, although you might opt to prolong the experience with a cafe or drink in Cap-Ferrat once you get there. As you walk, you'll see some of the region's most elegant mansions, set within manicured gardens overlooking the blue sea and the curving shoreline of the French Riviera.

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€ ($10) per day and sells snacks and drinks.