Fossettes BeachFrance Beach Guide
A wild cove on Cap Ferrat that tourists walk past
About
Plage de l'Anse des Fossettes is a compact pebble cove on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, stretching roughly 148 metres and enclosed on both sides by low rocky outcrops that give it a sheltered, almost secretive feel. The grey pebbles slope into clear blue water, and because the beach appears in no tourist guide, you're likely to have it almost entirely to yourself. There are no sunbeds, no snack bars, no umbrellas — just the sound of water on stone and the faint scent of the coastal scrub along the path that brought you here. It's a genuinely wild spot on a celebrated cape, and that contrast is exactly what makes it worth the walk.
How to get there
The beach is walk-in only — there is no road access and no parking at beach level. Leave your car in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat village and follow the coastal path; the walk takes around 20 minutes. No entry fee applies, but the coastal path involves steps and rocky terrain, making it completely inaccessible by wheelchair.
Who it's for
For couples
The 20-minute coastal walk from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the near-empty cove make this a genuinely private escape — bring a picnic, claim the pebbles, and you'll likely have the blue water and the silence entirely to yourselves.
For families
Families with older, sure-footed children will enjoy the adventure of the coastal path walk and the clear water for swimming, but the rocky entry and the complete absence of facilities mean it's not suited to toddlers or anyone who needs amenities close at hand.
Our take
Rocky entry, zero facilities, a 20-minute hike to reach it — Plage de l'Anse des Fossettes asks something of you before it gives anything back. Wear water shoes; the entry into the water is rough underfoot and that's not a detail to ignore. Once you're in, the blue water is clear and the cove is calm, and because this beach appears in no tourist guide, the chances of sharing it with more than a handful of people are slim. The grey pebbles and low rocky outcrops won't photograph like a Caribbean postcard, but that's not the point. This is a wild, unhurried corner of Cap Ferrat that rewards the curious and the self-sufficient. Come between June and September, bring your own everything, and leave no trace.
What to do
A kilometre from the beach, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a palatial Belle Époque villa with nine themed gardens — one of the most rewarding half-days on Cap Ferrat. If you want another swim after the walk back, Plage de Passable, the only public beach on Cap Ferrat's western flank, is 1.5 km away. A little further afield, the colourful medieval harbour town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, with its Cocteau chapel, is worth the 3.5 km trip.
Climb onto the low rocky outcrops at either end of the cove for an elevated view looking back along the grey pebble beach toward the blue water — it's the shot that shows just how enclosed and wild the place feels.
The coastal path itself, with its scrubby vegetation and glimpses of the sea, makes for strong approach shots that capture the walk-in-only character of the beach.
Where to eat
Back in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat village, Diva serves Italian and fish dishes just 0.1 km from the coastal path trailhead — the closest option after your walk. Le Saint-Jean and Little Italy, both around 0.3 km away, round out the choices if you want pizza or something more relaxed. Pack a picnic if you want to eat at the beach itself, because there is nothing on site.
Where to stay
La Voile d'Or and Brise Marine are both within 0.2 km of the coastal path access point in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, making them the most convenient bases for an early-morning visit before the day warms up. Hôtel & Spa La Villa Cap Ferrat, 0.7 km away, offers a more spa-focused stay on the peninsula.
Photography
The best shots come from the rocky outcrops at either end of the cove — frame the grey pebbles against the blue water with the low cliffs as natural borders. Early morning light is ideal for bringing out the texture of the stones and the contrast between rock and water.
Good to know
There are no facilities whatsoever on this beach, so bring everything you need — water, food, sun protection — before you set off from the village. Camping is not permitted. The rocky entry into the water is the main hazard: water shoes are strongly recommended to protect your feet. Avoid visiting in December, January, or February, when the coastal path can be wet and slippery and the risk of a fall is real.
Map
Nearby places
Diva
Le Saint-Jean
Little Italy
Le Cadillac
Léoléa
Brise Marine
La Voile d’Or
La Frégate
Hôtel & Spa La Villa Cap Ferrat
Hôtel Delcloy
bd Princesse Grace de Monaco-Rochambeau
Petite batterie du Mont Boron
Quai de l'Amiral Ponchardier
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Plage de Passable
Villefranche-sur-Mer old town
Things to see around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Palatial Belle Époque villa with nine themed gardens on Cap Ferrat.
Plage de Passable
The only public beach on Cap Ferrat's western flank.
Villefranche-sur-Mer old town
Colourful medieval harbour town with Cocteau chapel.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
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