Villefranche-sur-Mer

Map from La Bouverie	Parking
Rue Obscure	Chapelle de Saint Pierre des Pecheurs
Citadel St. Elme	Church St. Michel
Restaurant – La belle Etoile / Website	Restaurant – La Cuisine / Website

Just to the east of Nice lies the coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer; with its Medieval town centre, little cobblestone lanes and 16th century citadel there is plenty to discover by foot. One of the top attractions is the bay and beaches which are very family friendly.

The old town is a mixture of old streets, alleyways and staircases, and there is a nice 18th century church (Saint Michel) and a smaller Chapelle Sainte Elisabeth where there are often art exhibitions. Also look for Rue Obscure (see map in table above), an old medieval street with vaulted stone ceilings that feels like the dungeons of an old castle!

History & Culture in Villefranche-sur-Mer

The port of Villefranche was important until the 18th century when Nice took over, but the harbour is the main attraction of the town. Lined with restaurants and overlooked by the citadel, it has a great view of the beach that curves round the bay and it backed by the labyrinth of tiny streets that make up the old town. The old citadel was built in 1557 by the Dukes of Savoy to defend the town. It is restored and now houses a number of museums, art exhibitions, the town hall, an open air theatre and beautiful gardens. Entry is free but you can also go on Fridays when you can join a guided tour for a few Euro that includes the old town.