Rolling hills and colorful terraces overlook the emerald Mediterranean Sea. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a stunning village located between Monte Carlo and Nice in the French Riviera, known for its harbor and Mediterranean resort atmosphere.
History
The harbor is one of the most beautiful ports on the Mediterranean, located on Mount Baron, which was founded by Charles II Anjou, Count of Provence, in 1295, according to the Bureau D’Information Touristique De Villefranche-Sur-Mer. Fishermen line the fishing piers, and the port attracts numerous cruise ships during the summer.
Villefranche-Sur-Mer boasts the best weather in France, enjoying over 300 days of sunshine each year. It is also less crowded than Monaco and Nice. Explore the old town featuring intricate, steep cobblestone streets with limited automobile traffic access.
The massive citadel walls at the water’s edge were constructed in 1557 by Duke Emanuel Philibert of Savoy. The Promenade des Marinieres runs along the waterfront, skirting the north side of the bay.
Villefranche Must-sees
The Église Saint-Michel was built in 1750 in the heart of the old town in a Baroque Italian style, featuring various works of art inside, particularly a large painting of Saint Michael above the main marble altar, an 18th-century life-sized sculpture of Christ, and a polychrome wooden statue of San Rocco.
The Grinda Brothers built the organ in 1790, making it one of the oldest functioning organs in town. Up the street in the old town lies the tiny 14th-century chapel of Chappelle St. Pierre, where the walls feature well-preserved chalk frescoes and a mural depicting the people of Villafranche who founded the sea report.
Artist Jean Cocteau restored the old church in 1957 and celebrated with his friends in Villefranche. The art and history museum showcases the Goetz Boumeester collections of Picasso and Picabia, while the Foundation Musee Volti displays contemporary sculptures.
After a day of exploring the town, galleries, and exhibits, enjoy the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine at waterfront restaurants.
Tips to get around Villefranche and the French Riviera
You can walk around the town of Villefranche, visiting shops and stopping at restaurants within walking distance. You can rent a car or take a train from the Ville-Nice train station to visit Nice and Monaco.
