Cap d'Ail, Coastal resort in French Riviera, France
Cap d'Ail is a coastal settlement along the Mediterranean between Monaco and Nice, sitting among limestone cliffs. The village spreads across a sloping terrain with beach areas at water level and houses built into the hillsides.
The area began as a small fishing village before the railway arrived in the 1880s and made the coast more reachable. The new connection brought wealthy visitors who stayed and transformed it into a place where people came to spend time.
The buildings here blend French and Italian building styles, a natural result of the area's position near the border. You'll notice the white stone houses with shutters and terraces that shape how the village feels today.
The village sits directly on the railway line connecting Nice and Monaco, making train travel the easiest way to arrive and depart. Many visitors use the train to explore the wider coastline or to reach nearby towns without needing a car.
A walking path runs along the cliffs between the village and Monaco, passing through rock formations and small hidden coves where you can swim. The trail is fairly easy to follow and offers one of the best ways to see the rocky shoreline up close.
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