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IS VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER WORTH VISITING?
Just seven minutes by train from Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer is worth visiting for its idyllic lanes, waterfront restaurants, and crystal clear sea. Easily visited as a day trip or a quiet overnight stay, it’s a must-see while exploring the best towns on the Cote d’Azur.
THINGS TO DO IN VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
Despite its size, Villefranche-sur-Mer has enough things to do to keep you busy for a whole day. A slower pace is the best way to enjoy this idyllic seaside town, savouring the quietness and change of pace from Nice.
WANDER THE COLOURFUL STREETS
Blending quintessential French ambience with an infusion of Ligurian aesthetic appeal, it’s easy to see the influence that has shaped Villefranche-sur-Mer over the centuries. The fortified seaside village became part of the Republic in 1860 after it changed hands between the Ottomans, Spanish, and the Kingdom of Sardinia before eventually becoming part of France as part of the Treaty of Turin.
SPEND THE DAY AT THE BEACH
Sparkling sea, a sheltered cove, and one of the most beguiling backdrops make this a top contender among the best beaches on the Cote d’Azur. Plage des Marinieres is a long, narrow beach that stretches around the bay and catches the sun for most of the day.
SHOP THE VILLAGE MARKET
Wednesday and Saturday welcome the twice-weekly village market to Promenade de l’Octroi which runs from 8am to around noon. Fresh fruit and vegetables, local cheese and olive oil, as well as ceramics and fresh flowers are traded from stalls throughout the morning. This is the perfect place to pick up a few things for a picnic lunch on the beach.
DRINK AND DINE BY THE PROMENADE
Quai de l’Amiral Courbet has a handful of restaurants and bars that occupy some of Villefranche-sur-Mer’s best real estate along the waterfront. True to the roots of this well-heeled pocket of France, the cost of a drink or a meal here does reflect the views and the typical clientele that frequent the town.
VISIT THE CITADEL OF VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
You’ll find the best view of the town from here thanks to its high position overlooking the town and across the bay. Designed in the 16th century as a medieval fortress to protect from attacks by sea and invasion, it was later used as a US naval base for almost 20 years after World War II.
ADMIRE ST PIERRE CHAPEL
Painted in dusty pink and buttercup yellow, Saint Pierre Chapel was decorated by Jean Cocteau who lived in nearby Menton. Close to Villefranche-sur-Mer’s waterfront, the sacred site was built in the 16th century and was later used as a reserve for storing fishing equipment following a fire. The ornate illustrations decorating the interior depict scenes of the life of the Apostle Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. The chapel is open from Wednesday to Sunday and costs €3 to enter.
HOW TO GET TO VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER
Villefranche-sur-Mer is super close to Nice, making it a breeze to get to. Nice is the closest airport to Villefranche-sur-Mer and from the city centre it’s less than 10 minutes by train. The service operating between Cannes and Menton runs frequently.
By train:
Taking the train from Nice Ville station to Villefranche-sur-Mer is the fastest and easiest way, reaching your destination in just 7 minutes. Tickets start from €2.10 one way with services running as frequently as every 15 minutes. In peak times, trains can easily be booked out, so I do suggest you pre-book your tickets here.
By bus:
If you’re not staying near Nice station, a bus might be a more convenient option for you to reach Villefranche-sur-Mer. The #80 passes through the opposite side of town near the port and takes around 20 minutes to reach Villefranche-sur-Mer, just alight at La Corne d’Or and walk down towards the sea. Alternatively, the #15 runs from behind the Old Town near the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum.
By bike or walking:
You can reach Villefranche-sur-Mer in around 30 minutes from the centre of Nice if you plan on cycling. The route passes by Nice Port and around the coastline, making for a scenic journey. You can hire bikes from a number of places in Nice. Alternatively, you can take the same route on foot which will take approximately 1.5 hours – a lovely option if you have time.
#villefranchesurmer #cotedazur #southoffrance
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