Villefranche sur Mer is a small beach city located in the center of the French Riviera. A city whose fame is overshadowed by its very well known neighbors, like Nice, Cannes, Eze, Monte Carlo etc., Villefranche sur Mer is a peaceful hideaway from these high profile cities. A city with an easy – going pace and a medieval atmosphere, Villefranche sur Mer’s sandy beaches are excellent for some relaxed and peaceful sun bathing.
Although small, Villefranche sur Mer has a lot of appeal, and has won over many with its charm. Situated on terraced hills with a perfect view of the Mediterranean, It is one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also one of the most preferred ports of call in France for cruise ships on a Mediterranean itinerary.
Villefranche sur Mer has a very ancient history, and it is evident in the streets of the city, where ruins of the medieval era are still to be found in places.
In 1295, Charles II, Duke of Anjou, worried by repeated pirate attacks on the coast of France, established the city of Villefranche sur Mer, to protect the coast from attacks.
Located just about five minutes from Nice city, Villefranche has a sandier beach, and is less crowded that the former. There is a small collection of shops and restaurants. The market here is a lot of fun. There are several beautiful mansions, as there are a lot of affluent residents in Villefranche.
Villefranche sur Mer is an excellent place as a base; as it is near enough to Cote D Azur Cities like Nice, Eze, Cannes, Menton, Monte Carlo, Antibes, Saint Paul de Vence, Grasse and so on. You can make day trips to these cities.
Villefranche sur Mer beach is small and never much crowded. The sand, although not the softest, is better than the hard pebbles of Nice beaches. There are a lot of café’s, restaurants and ice cream places lining the beach.
Also Visit
Old Town
The Medieval town, Old Town Villefranche sur Mer, which is just a stone throw away, is a charming place to visit. It has cobble stones on the streets and a vaulted passage, which is very interesting. There are also some interesting ruins, from the medieval era to be found in the Old Town.
Eglise Saint Micheal
Located in the heart of the Old Town, the Eglise Saint Micheal is an impressive Baroque Italian church dating back to the 1700s. There is also an 18th century reclining statue of Christ.
The Citadel
The huge fortress was built by Emmanuel Philibert, the Duke of Savoy in 1957 during the time of dispute for Villefranche sur Mer by France and Savoy, as a defense against Franco – Turkish attacks. Now, the town hall, town offices, museums, auditorium and an amphitheater is housed in the Citadel.
