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Villefranche-sur-Mer France

Villefranche is located four miles east of Nice? and six miles west of Monaco?, and is small harbor village of about 7,000 residents. The city limits extend up the hillside and range in elevation from sea level to 1,750 feet.

Celebrated as a long-time inspirational location for artists of all kinds, Villefranche maintains its charm in its Old Town? section, which features many great cafes, restaurants, and shops, along with residences above the shops.

The pastel-colored buildings on the waterfront Promenade des Marinieres? look out into one of the deepest natural bays on the French Riviera. Because of its depth, you'll nearly always see a cruise ship or two dropping anchor here.

Just past the Old Town section you'll find the beach at Villefranche. As with many beaches in France, many bathers take the opportunity to remove their tops and bask in the almost nonstop sunshine.

The inevitable steps you'll find in any seaside village wind up the hillside all the way up to the fort of Mont Alban? which overlook the village and the sea.

Villefranche is also the site of the Citadel?, a fortress built in 1557 by the Duke of Savoy. You can tour the Citadel, which now houses museums, a theater, and beautiful gardens.

If you're looking for some authentic local flavor, visit Chez Betty? in the Hotel Provencal?. The rooms are clean and affordable, and Betty is wonderfully gracious and will always offer you a Coca-Cola or something else to drink from her spot behind the bar.

Impromptu soccer games seem to break out at the soccer field near the Citadel, and bocci ball tournaments are typical in the evening.

The tourist office offers friendly service and a wealth of useful information about the area. The train station is conveniently located just past the Old Town and the clean and reliable trains that run along the coast and into Italy are extremely affordable.