Villefranche Sur Mer | Property rental on the Cote D'Azur | Home

The Location

This is such a convenient location. Nice International Airport is only twenty minutes away and Monaco half an hour. You can be skiing in the morning and on the beach in the afternoon. The area is full of art and history as well as being home to jazz festivals and the Monaco Grand Prix which takes place in May every year.

The Old Town: Harbour and Port

Dating from 1295, Villefranche-sur-Mer is rich in character, history and beauty and just 5 km from Nice and 13km from Monaco. But, even today, it is a village with a very special character, and all the warmth and charm of a fishing village from a bygone age.

The Old city, (dating from the 13th century) is well worth exploring with its narrow and picturesque streets, (Rue Obscure - Rue du Poilu) and the colourful facades of the houses decorated in the 'trompe l'oeil' style. Also worth visiting are the 15th century Jesuit style St. Micheals Church, the Old Harbour with its many small fishing boats and of course the private & public beaches.

Taking a stroll around the harbour and waterfront of Villefranche-sur-Mer rewards the effort with some suberb views and a journey through history.

You could start by going through the Citadel and along the west ditches which overlook the harbour. (Villefranche is is a deep water harbour which served as a base for the US Sixth Fleet for a time.) Then go to the terreplein of the harbour basin, passing the old rope manufacturers and the old Rochambeau barracks as you go.

Move on from the Marine and Zoological Laboratory (which at the time of the Dukes of Savoy was a prison for galley slaves) and you can walk up the rampart and pass under the old watch tower of the former prison to reach the harbour jetty. This is where you will have a fine view over the Raboud Basin, the Port, the Rade and the Citadel.

If you're still in the mood, you could leave the harbour, passing the Club de Mer (Marine Club) and the gardens, and walk along the rampart on the waterfront side of the Citadel.

This would take you to Place Wilson with the Harbour-station (where the large cruise ships embark and disembark). The building houses the Customs and the Maritime Affairs Office.

Look out for the Club de la Voile (Yacht Club), it's built on the terraces of the old watch tower "La Sante" - and it's not far from the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, the one decorated by Jean Cocteau.

The Quai Courbet begins in front of the Hotel Welcome. It's dominated by the high, colourful facades of the houses which once formed the fortified town.

The Quai Courbet carries on northwards past a tall house built on the rock. In the 17th century, Charles Quint lived here - this was the time when the "Treve de Nice" (Truce of Nice) was being drawn up.

Further along, you would see the Palais de Marine which dominates the Quai Ponchardier. The Palais was the residence of the Generals of the Duke's Galleys.

And it was here that the brother of the commandant of the Savoy's fleet, poet Honore d'Urfe, author of the Astre, passed away. The property now belongs to the town, and is a residential hotel.

The Promenade des Marinieres continues along the waterfront giving you the choice of heading towards Cap Ferrat or Beaulieu, depending on which way you turn once you've crossed the Pont Saint Jean.

But save that for another day, there's more than enough to occupy you in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Walking Around

Ideally located, Villefranche is an excellent starting point for many pleasant walks, these include: The Mont Boron Forest and Mont Alban Fort, Beaulieu via the "Madone Noire" chapel or by the beach the "Baie des Fourmis" or to Cap Ferrat & St. Micheals place and its famous viewpoint. There are marvelous walks along this coast such as the wonderful walk around the peninsula of Cap Ferrat which is roughly 8 miles starting in the village. Alternatively, drive or take the bus to Cap D'ail just before Monaco where there is another lovely coastal walk and great restaurant build out on the rocks.

Beach

Villefranche has it's own lovely beach and the bay is beautiful for swimming. There are a couple of great beach restaurants that serve wonderful food. My guests at Christmas last year took their roast dinner down and ate it on the beach as the weather can be lovely and famously warm and sunny on New Years day.

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday sees the farmers market at the top of the village in the main gardens of the town.

Every Sunday there is an antiques market in the Place Pollonais.

Restaurants

There are many lovely restaurants in Villefranche from the high sophistication of the famous Mere Germaine to simple pizza establishments. The manager can fill you in on where to go when you arrive.

The Citadel

Standing proud on the water's edge, the Citadel looks as though it still defends the old town. It was built in 1557 on the site of a smaller fort on the orders of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, by his architect, Provana de Leyni.

Today, it houses the Town hall, a congress centre, some museums, and an open air theatre.

The Museums

Open everyday except Tuesday & Sunday morning, from 10 until 12am & 2 until 5pm (in winter) or 3pm till 8pm (in summer).

Director: Mme Serverat.
Tel. 04 93 76 33 27
Fax. 04 93 76 33 28

Geotz Boumeester Museum Figurative & Abstract Art

Volti Museum Sculpture & Modern Art

Villa Kerylos
Is a wonderful replica of a Greek Villa built on the island of Delos at the height of Greek civilization about 2,300 years ago. It is beautiful and well worth a visit being about a 20 minute walk away in Beaulieu.

Villa Rothschild
Is another wonderful Villa built in the classic Belle Epoque style. It has amazing gardens - seven different styles - with wonderful views in all directions.

Chapel Saint-Pierre

The ornamentation of the Chapel Saint-Pierre, jewel of the modern and mystic art, was a dream cherished for a long time by Jean Cocteau. He kept it as a project for more than ten years before devoting many months to this work, full of inspiration, in 1957.

The craftsmen of Villefranche, ceramicists and stone cutters, participated in the achievement, led by the genius of Cocteau. Like the creations of romanesque art, this work has the most humble fervour, and the expression of the most denuded faith.

It represents at the same time, the apostles life, the village dear to his childhood, and his friendship for the fishermen to whom the chapel has been dedicated.

He drew fishing nets on the walls and vaults, so as to remind us that god fishes for souls too.