Villefranche-sur-Mer

Towns and Villages - by Provence Beyond

Villages > Villefranche-sur-Mer

Nearby:  | Beaulieu-sur-Mer 3 km | Eze 8 km | Falicon 16 km | Menton 23 km | 14 km | Nice 4 km | Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 21 km | Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat 4 km |

Below: | Famous Visitors | History | O.T. | Dates | Transportation | Hiking | Readers' Comments | Lodging Hotels |

From the main road above, you can look down across the red tile roofs of the old town, with the distinctive church and bell tower in the center. Like the medieval villages of the "back country", the narrow cobblestone and bricked streets slope steeply down (in this case towards the sea) or traverse along the slope, with vaulted passages beneath the houses. There's quite a medieval feeling here, with just the many little restaurants to remind you you're in tourist country. There are also quiet little squares, like the Place Félix Poullan beside the church, and the Place de l'Eglise just below, with a bench circling a beautiful big tree.

The most extreme example we've seen anywhere of a vaulted passage is the Rue Obscura, a street about a block in from the seafront that's completely covered for about half its length [photo-6]. Lighted only by white, wire-gridded lamps in the roof, the "obscure" street reminds you of the days when the town's population sheltered here from bombardments. Cross streets open out onto the sunny upper village or the even brighter seafront below.

Famous Visitors

Among the glitterati of the region, Tina Anna Bullock (better known as Tina Turner) has a palatial villa here, at the peak of the Colline du Vinaigrier. She's in residence about one weekend per month, which is pretty frequent considering her schedule.

History

Name
First record, 12th century: Castrum de Montolivo; 1295: Villa franca

Prehistoric--Roman: Iron-age and Gallo-Roman pottery shards and other artifacts were found at Mont Leuze, overlooking the current seaside location. The ancient Montolivio was also on the hill set back from the sea.

Medieval: The port was created in 1295 by Charles d'Anjou. The Rade de Villefranche (the protected deep-water bay) is the best on this part of the coast, and was the most important port until port of Nice was opened in the 18th century.

Office de Tourisme

Located in the corner of a lovely little park, beside the main N7 road. Tel: 04 93 01 73 68; Fax: 04 93 76 63 65
Email: ot-villefranchesurmer@rom.fr;   Web: www.villefranche-sur-mer.com

Dates

Every Sun - Brocante
Every Apr - Petit salon de l'Octroi, 9h-19h, Jardins Binon de l'Octroi
Every May - Petit salon de l'Octroi, Jardins Binon de l'Octroi; 9h-19h; (2005, 12th annual)
Every June - Fete de la Musique
End June - Fête des Pêcheurs
15 Aug - Illuminations de la Rade (lighting the bay)
End Sept - Fête Patronale

Transportation

Rail

Villefranche-sur-Mer is on the main Nice-Monaco-Menton-Ventimiglia line, with frequent service [rail map]. The rail line curves around the edge of the bay, running just above the beach to the east of town [photo-3].

Bus

The Nice-Monaco-Menton bus line has frequent service.

Hiking

Maps:

IGN (1/25,000) #3742 OT "Nice-Menton"

Didier Richard (1/50,000) #26 "Pay d'Azur"

This is seaside-resort area, not hiking country. However, there are some walks out around the Cap de Nice, and around the Cap-Ferrat peninsula (presqu'ile). Also, in the hills north of Villefranche, towards the Col d'Eze and only about 3 km away, the Parc de la Justice offers some nice walks.

Reader's Comments

Comments contributed by Robert from Canada

We were in VilleFranche "Pierre & Vacances" March 6th to April 4th 1998. They have a wonderful resort very reasonable i.e 2 weeks for approx 5,000 FF; 2 1/2 apartments fully furnished, maid service included; from November to April 4th. This is for 2 weeks and a bonus of 2 weeks no charge.
In the old village of VilleFranche we had the most delightful meal at a tiny restaurant called the "L'Echalote" rue de l'Eglise, if you happen to be in the area, please try them out...

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