Sights in Villefranche

This small fishing village of painters and artists is hiding next to its looming citadel. It is only a short distance from Nice, but a world away in terms of pace. Where Nice and Monaco are glitz and glam, Villefranche is known for its charm and privacy. Small, cobble stone streets with colorful boutiques and gift shops lead down to the main natural harbor. Lively restaurants specializing in seafood and pizza line the main street and offer amazing views. From the harbor, you can hike to St. Jean Cap Ferrat or take a boat out into the Mediterranean. Every Sunday, the Riviera’s oldest antique market is held in Villefranche at the Amélie Pollannais square. If you don't want the bustle of a big city, this is an excellent base for your time on the Riviera.

Chapelle St. Pierre- This medieval church was once used for the storage of fishing nets and is dedicated to the town’s fishermen. It was renovated in 1957, when artist Jean Cocteau added lavish modern frescoes of scenes from the life of Peter the Apostle.

The Citadel is a stone fortress that was built to defend the old town of Villefranche. It is the home of the town hall, a chapel, a conference center and several free museums including Musée Volti, which is devoted to the modern artist Volti, with its stunning bronze sculptures and drawings of sensual women. The Goetz Boumeester Museum houses paintings and collages, while the Roux collection contains ceramic figurines, as well as scenes from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. During your visit to the citadel, be sure to walk along the ramparts and glance at the gardens of the open-air theatre.

The Harbour of Villefranche has one of the deepest bays on the Mediterranean. It is not uncommon to see large cruise ships anchored off-shore, pleasure boats, cabin cruisers and even occasionally an aircraft-carrier. Down at the water’s edge you will find one of the best sandy beaches in the Riviera. The Promenade des Mariniers, along the beach, offers a lovely walking route around the picturesque bay.

Plateau Saint Michel- A trip up to this plateau where there is an orientation table is worth a visit on a clear day. You will be rewarded with unforgettable vistas of the harbor, views of Cap-Ferrat, and you may even spot Corsica from here.

Rue Obscure- A labyrinth of tiny medieval lanes reach up the hill into the fortified town. The vaulted Rue Obscure, built in the 13th century, is all that remains of a path that ran next to the medieval ramparts. This street actually runs through a tunnel under some buildings and was intended to protect the villagers if it was under attack. It has been used for this purpose as recently as World War II.

Saint Michel- This church contains a 16th century carving of St. Rock and his dog, as well as an organ from 1790. This 18th century Baroque style church is home to a reclining statue of Christ carved from a single piece of wood, the work of an unknown galley slave.

If you are visiting the French Riviera, please also visit our pages about Nice and Eze, Monte Carlo, Monaco and Markets in Provence.

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Sights in Villefranche sur Mer