Cap d’Ail – returning to my French Riviera utopia

Posted on 18 August 2011

Upon arrival at the train station, I was one of the few to descend onto the platform which makes Cap d’Ail that much more appealing. If you have had enough fighting the peak season crowds in Nice, Antibes and Monaco then Cap d’Ail is a great escape. It is located two kilometers from Monaco, so you can skip the train, take a brisk walk and enjoy the breathtaking coastline views. 

I, however, was in need of some beach time so I walked in the opposite direction towards Mala Plage (beach). I walked along the pathway while admiring the calm blue waters speckled with yachts, turquoise skies and impressive French-style villas hugging the rocks. It has hardly changed in seven years apart from the refurbished path and railing infrastructure.
 
If you have the time to spend a few nights in Cap d’Ail, and are travelling on a budget, Villa Thalassa international youth hostel is the place to stay. It is located 300 metres from the train station overlooking the ocean with direct access to the coastline walkway. Meals can be enjoyed on the terrace looking out at the open sea and quaint garden. Prices vary for groups, families and individuals but for the solo traveller bed and breakfast will cost you only €18,50 a night. I suspected the villa to perhaps be run down but it is looking great with a fresh coat of paint. It is just as it was, even better, full of fond memories from Meg and my stay.

I spent the afternoon lying in the sun but was repeatedly drawn to the sea. This is truly one of my favourite beaches in the word (so far) to swim at. The calm and warm water is so inviting that I swam every half an hour. I made sure I brought some goggles with me to swim out to the buoys and explore some of the sea life. Mala Plage hosts a cave in the rock face that would be worth exploring of you swim along the rugged rock face. For those more active visitors, there are peddle boats and kayaks for hire all day next to the beach restaurants.

As the afternoon came to an end I treated myself to a delicious strawberry daiquiri at Eden Plage Mala. This trendy beach bar and restaurant offers a colourful relaxed yet tasteful setting to enjoy a meal or a few drinks. It is rather pricy but it was such a treat to sit on a comfortable couch in such a great location sipping away at an ice-cold cocktail after hours in the sun and sea.

I sat on the evening train back to Antibes feeling so relaxed, grateful and content that I had made my way back to this little utopia after seven years and it did not disappoint! I always recommend this spot to any friends who are heading over to south of France and this visit has reconfirmed my five-star rating for Cap d’Ail.

Click here to read more of my adventures from the French Riviera.






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