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 form 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 appears to be like like one thing straight out of a pastel hued dream. From the second you step off the prepare on the city’s chocolate field prepare station, you’ll uncover a pleasant assortment of sweet colored homes, all grouped collectively in a haphazard manner round a medieval church and azure-blue port.
If you wish to uncover all that Villefrance-sur-Mer has to supply, you’ll must put aside round half a day, and longer when you plan to enter the museums, loosen up on the seashore, 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, which means that there are virtually at all times 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 referred to 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 arduous 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 ebook, and watched the pigeons cooed across the sq., searching for leftover crumbs from earlier diners. It was essentially the most good 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 informed, one of many biggest issues to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer is to discover the maze of cobbled streets and vibrant houses 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 appeal.
Rue Obscure
While wandering via city, you’ll possible 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 navy functions, in order to permit troopers to get simply via the city, right this moment 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 a good looking instance of Baroque structure. Free to go to and enter inside, it deserves a more in-depth look because of its intricately carved altar and superbly 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 number of the extra pebbled seashores elsewhere on the French Riviera, the Plage des Marinieres (Beach of the Sailors) is far 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 seashore is completely monumental, and stretches fairly far, which 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 instantly beneath 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 shocking discoveries of a go to to Villefranche-sur-Mer is that it’s really the place you could find some Space Invaders. If you’ve ever been to Paris, then little doubt you’ve most likely noticed a good quantity of road artwork.
Well, some of the prevalent artists within the metropolis (who additionally covers loads of different spots internationally) is that of Invader, an nameless artist who’s famed for his road aspect mosaics. In Paris, over 1400 of his works will be present in various styles and sizes.
From full sized mosaics that cowl a whole block to smaller items the scale of your hand that may solely be spied by these with essentially the most eagle of eyes, there’s even a Pokemon-style app referred to as ‘Flash Invaders’ the place you’ll be able to take photographs of the mosaics you discover and preserve 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’re up for a little bit of a stroll, then it’s completely attainable to stroll all the best way from Villefranche-sur-Mer to the following 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 method to get to Villefranche-sur-Mer is to take a direct prepare from Nice-Ville when you’re staying in Nice (making it one of many greatest day journeys from Nice) or by taking the prepare from Menton in case your lodging occurs to be there.
Another possibility from Nice is to take the #100 from the Old Port of Nice. Tickets value just some euros and will be bought instantly from the driving force. Just be sure you 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 prepare 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 purple hue that contrasts splendidly with the azure blue ocean. Directly reverse the station is the place the principle seashore of the city lies.
On the stroll from the prepare 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 ready alongside the water and takes beneath ten minutes.
The level is, there’s one single prepare line which runs up and down the French Riviera, serving quite a few quaint cities and villages en route. If an enthralling seaside city with all of the appeal 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 prepare 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 helpful strolling map for Villefranche-sur-Mer itself.
Where to remain in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Those trying to get away from all of it must 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 number 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 presents traditional 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 presents free Wi-Fi, a restaurant onsite, and bicycle rent for an additional charge. The resort is enviably positioned near various bars and cafés. Check costs and availability right here.
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