Cap Ferrat and Èze by Scooter: the Perfect Day Trip from Nice

If you only have time for one scooter road trip on the French Riviera, make it this one. In a single day and roughly forty kilometres, it packs in everything that makes the coast so irresistible: a picture-postcard bay, a peninsula of pine trees and secluded villas, a billionaire's gardens, a medieval hilltop village and a sunset over the sea. Seeing Cap Ferrat by scooter and finishing with Èze is the classic day trip from Nice, and here it is hour by hour, designed so you ride a little and enjoy a lot.

The loop at a glance

• Total distance: about 40 km, much of it right along the water.
• Time needed: a full day, from 9 am until sunset.
• Scooter: a 50cc is all you need for Villefranche, Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu. To climb to Èze village and ride home along the Moyenne Corniche, we strongly recommend the Milano 125.
• What to pack: swimwear, a towel, light walking shoes, sun cream and a light jacket for the ride back.

Your Cap Ferrat and Èze day trip, hour by hour

1. Nice, Port Lympia 9 am, km 0

   Fill up the tank and head east on the Basse Corniche. The road curves around Mont Boron and, at the very first bend, the Baie des Anges appears in your mirror.

2. Villefranche-sur-Mer 9.20 am, approx. 6 km

   Park near the harbour and order a coffee on Quai Courbet, facing the brightly painted fishing boats. Look into the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, decorated by Jean Cocteau, then wander along the Rue Obscure, a vaulted street that has been covered since the Middle Ages. The deep, sheltered bay is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

3. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild 10.30 am, approx. 10 km

   At the neck of the peninsula, Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild's pink villa sits between two seas. Its nine themed gardens, laid out between 1905 and 1912 (French, Spanish, Japanese, Florentine, Provençal, exotic and more), step down in terraces around a long pool. Arrive early for the calm of the morning, and check opening times and prices before you go.

4. Around Cap Ferrat and the Pointe Saint-Hospice 12 pm, approx. 14 km

   Ride the loop of the peninsula, then park near the port of Saint-Jean. From there, the Pointe Saint-Hospice path (about 1.8 km, 40 minutes) passes Paloma beach and leads to the Chapelle Saint-Hospice and its large bronze statue of the Virgin. Keen walkers can carry on along the coastal path around the cape, about 4.8 km and 1 hour 30, to the lighthouse.

5. Lunch by the water 1.30 pm

   The port of Saint-Jean and the Beaulieu seafront are lined with terraces. Our tip: grilled fish, a glass of Provence rosé for the passenger, and sparkling water for the rider. There is more road ahead.

6. Beaulieu-sur-Mer 3 pm, approx. 17 km

   Walk off lunch on the Promenade Maurice Rouvier, which runs along the sea from Saint-Jean to Beaulieu, then head for the Baie des Fourmis and the Villa Kérylos, a reconstruction of an ancient Greek house built between 1902 and 1908. Its management changed in 2026, so check that it is open before you go. A swim at the little Petite Afrique beach, and you are ready for the climb.

7. Èze village 4.30 pm, approx. 25 km

   Join the Moyenne Corniche and climb to the hilltop village, at around 430 m. The centre is pedestrian only: use the two-wheeler parking at the foot of the village. Walk up to the Jardin Exotique, created in 1949 on the ruins of the castle, and look back at Cap Ferrat, the peninsula you rode around a few hours earlier. On a 50cc, choose Èze-sur-Mer and its beach, below the village, instead.

8. Ride home at sunset early evening, approx. 40 km in total

   Head back to Nice along the Moyenne Corniche: at the Col de Villefranche, the bay and Cap Ferrat glow in the golden light. Depending on the season, the sun sets anywhere from around 5 pm in winter to just after 9 pm in early summer. On a 50cc, simply take the Basse Corniche home, just as lovely at that hour.

Which scooter for this Riviera road trip?

The whole first half of the day, from Villefranche to Beaulieu, is perfect on a 50cc: coastal roads, moderate speeds and frequent stops. Our red Dolce 50 is made for exactly this, from 35 euros a day. The climb to Èze village and the Moyenne Corniche are another story: long gradients, fast traffic and a passenger on the back. That is Milano 125 territory, at 60 euros a day.

Not sure which licence you need? Our guide Do you need a licence to rent a scooter in France? explains the rules for UK, US and EU riders, and we are always happy to confirm your situation before you book.

Tips for a perfect day

• Reverse the loop in summer if you want to avoid the crowds in Èze: ride up to the village first thing in the morning and keep Cap Ferrat for the afternoon.
• Carry a card or some change for paid two-wheeler parking and entry to the sights.
• Leave nothing under the seat while you swim, and use the lock provided, even for a short stop.
• Respect pedestrian areas: on the peninsula as in Èze, some paths are for walkers only.
• Have the scooter delivered the evening before or that morning to where you are staying, by appointment: see our hotel and Airbnb delivery page.

Want to stretch the escape?

If you are renting for several days, follow up with our coastal route from Nice to Monaco by scooter (Monaco is accessible only with MatMonScoot's prior written authorisation, so ask for it when you book), or compare the high roads in our guide to the three corniches. Degressive pricing makes the second and third days particularly gentle on the budget.