Last Updated on twenty fifth February 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Plucked straight out of a French fairytale, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a smattering of brightly colored homes and cobbled streets, opening out onto a deep harbour and the type of crystal clear waters that the French Riviera is so well-known for. Here’s your information to the greatest issues to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer, in addition to what to know earlier than you go.
Introducing Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer seems to be like one thing straight out of a pastel hued dream. From the second you step off the practice on the city’s chocolate field practice station, you’ll uncover a pleasant assortment of sweet colored homes, all grouped collectively in a haphazard approach round a medieval church and azure-blue port.
If you wish to uncover all that Villefrance-sur-Mer has to supply, you’ll have to put aside round half a day, and longer when you plan to enter the museums, loosen up on the seaside, and spend a leisurely lunch à la française.
I visited on an overcast day in late February and was blown away by the sheer fantastic thing about this city of 5000 within the French area of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Villefranche-sur-Mer has one of many deepest harbours alongside the French Riviera, that means that there are virtually all the time massive ships passing by.
And whereas the Côte d-Azur is already famed for its temperate local weather, Villefranche-sur-Mer is even milder than different cities within the area because of its enviable place protected by the excessive cliffs surrounding it and the narrowness of its harbour.
Thanks to its sheer magnificence, the city has been used as a supply of inspiration for a lot of writers, artists, and musicians through the years. Indeed, Jean Cocteau as soon as known as Villefranche-sur-Mer “a source of myth and inspiration,” whereas the Rolling Stones Recorded their Exile on Mainstreet album there.
When wadnering the streets, it’s not exhausting to see why so many administrators have chosen to movie motion pictures right here. Notable ones you will have heard of are Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
As I sat in Place Amélie Pollonais, a sq. within the coronary heart of city, I savoured an allongé (Americano- right here’s my French espresso information), learn my e-book, and watched the pigeons cooed across the sq., on the lookout for leftover crumbs from earlier diners. It was essentially the most excellent second, watching the world go by, with the azure blue sea within the distance.
Best issues to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Wander the previous city
Truth be instructed, one of many best issues to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer is to discover the maze of cobbled streets and vibrant properties and permit the city to disclose itself to you. Almost each flip boasts an Instagram-worthy snap. Many buildings date all the best way again to the Middle Ages, which solely provides to the attraction.
Rue Obscure
While wandering by means of city, you’ll probably come throughout rue Obscure. This Thirteenth-century tunnel goes beneath the homes within the coronary heart of city and is dimly lit. Originally constructed in 1260 for army functions, in order to permit troopers to get simply by means of the city, in the present day the tunnel is dimly lit and is roughly 430 foot lengthy.
Church of St Michel
The imposing bell tower of the St Michel church dates again to the 18th-century and is an exquisite instance of Baroque structure. Free to go to and enter inside, it deserves a better look because of its intricately carved altar and fantastically painted ceilings.
Chapel of Saint Pierre
Located near the water, the chapel of Saint Pierre is considerably of a hidden gem of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Its ornate exterior was designed by artist Jean Cocteau (who lived in close by Menton) and entrance inside prices €3. The chapel is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer (Saint Elme citadel)
One of essentially the most imposing locations to go to is the trapezoid-shaped citadel, which dates all the best way again to the Sixteenth-century and as soon as protected the city from would-be invaders and marauders.
Over the years, the citadel has had many alternative features, together with as barracks by the Russians within the 1850s and as a US Naval Base between 1945 and 1962. Today the citadel is owned by the town and homes a museum devoted to artwork and sculptures.
Villefranche-sur-Mer market (marché)
If you occur to be on the town on a Wednesday or Sunday morning, then you’ll be able to go to the twice weekly market, which takes place
Beach (Plage des Bains)
Unlike a few of the extra pebbled seashores elsewhere on the French Riviera, the Plage des Marinieres (Beach of the Sailors) is way sandier, making it simpler to loosen up on. Just convey a towel and loads of suncream as there isn’t a lot shade close by.
The seaside is totally huge, and stretches fairly far, that means that it’s by no means too troublesome to discover a spot to sunbathe or loosen up, even through the busier months of the yr.
Le Port Royal de la Darse (Royal Port)
Located immediately under the citadel, the stunning Port Royal was as soon as used to dock Royal ships and is now a quiet and peaceable spot on the town the place boats bob within the water and few vacationer enterprise to.
Space Invader
One of the extra stunning discoveries of a go to to Villefranche-sur-Mer is that it’s really the place you’ll find some Space Invaders. If you’ve ever been to Paris, then little question you’ve in all probability noticed a good quantity of road artwork.
Well, one of the crucial prevalent artists within the metropolis (who additionally covers loads of different spots the world over) is that of Invader, an nameless artist who’s famed for his road aspect mosaics. In Paris, over 1400 of his works could be present in various sizes and styles.
From full sized mosaics that cowl a complete block to smaller items the dimensions of your hand that may solely be spied by these with essentially the most eagle of eyes, there’s even a Pokemon-style app known as ‘Flash Invaders’ the place you’ll be able to take pictures of the mosaics you discover and hold a report of what number of you’ve discovered. In The French Riviera, there are 40 Invaders to search out, scattered alongside the shoreline.
Walk to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
If you might be up for a little bit of a stroll, then it’s completely potential to stroll all the best way from Villefranche-sur-Mer to the subsequent villages alongside, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. For extra detailed directions for the stroll, you should use Google maps or alternatively head to the vacationer workplace for a bigger map of the realm.
How to go to Villefranche-sur-Mer
The best option to get to Villefranche-sur-Mer is to take a direct practice from Nice-Ville when you’re staying in Nice (making it one of many greatest day journeys from Nice) or by taking the practice from Menton in case your lodging occurs to be there.
Another choice from Nice is to take the #100 from the Old Port of Nice. Tickets value just some euros and could be bought immediately from the motive force. Just remember to validate your ticket upon entry to the bus within the machine, in any other case you would be fined as your ticket gained’t be seen as legitimate.
The practice station is lower than a ten minute stroll from the centre of city and appears like one thing straight out of a film and is a deep crimson hue that contrasts splendidly with the azure blue ocean. Directly reverse the station is the place the primary seaside of the city lies.
On the stroll from the practice station to the city, you’ll already be launched to the sweet hued tones that make up essentially the most vibrant city on the French Riviera. The nice stroll is about alongside the water and takes beneath ten minutes.
The level is, there’s one single practice line which runs up and down the French Riviera, serving quite a few quaint cities and villages en route. If a captivating seaside city with all of the attraction of a Wes Anderson movie appears proper up your road, then you’ll be able to even plan to remain in Villefranche-sur-Mer for a number of days.
There is a vacationer workplace on the fringes of the previous city, the opposite aspect of Villefranche-sur-Mer from the practice station. Open all through the week, you’ll be able to go in and get leaflets about actions within the surrounding space, in addition to a useful strolling map for Villefranche-sur-Mer itself.
Where to remain in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Those seeking to get away from all of it have to look no additional than Villefranche-sur-Mer. The brightly colored settlement is like one thing of a vivid dream and the smattering of cafés spilling out onto the road round city make for a quintessentially French getaway. Here are a few of the greatest locations to remain in Villefranche-sur-Mer:
Mid-range: This laid-back three-star resort overlooks the Bay of Villefranche sur Mer and gives basic rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is air con and a restaurant onsite. https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/provencal.en.html?aid=1212495&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2Check costs and availability right here.
Luxury: Situated proper within the coronary heart of city, this four-star resort gives free Wi-Fi, a restaurant onsite, and bicycle rent for an additional charge. The resort is enviably situated near quite a few bars and cafés. Check costs and availability right here.
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