Planning to spend some time in Villefranche-sur-Mer? Let yourself be seduced by the charm of its steep streets, colorful monuments and sparkling turquoise waters.
Here’s our guide to the 10 must-see places in Villefranche-sur-Mer on the Côte d’Azur, plus useful tips for planning your visit.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Discover the Saint-Elme citadel
The Citadelle Saint-Elme is a remarkable military structure built in the 16th century by the Duke of Savoy. It boasts imposing bastions and well-preserved fortifications. It dominates the old town and offers a breathtaking view of the bay of Villefranche and the Mediterranean. Today it houses the town hall and a cultural center with 3 museums, temporary exhibitions and cultural events. Don’t miss our article on this must-see monument.
- The citadel is open in summer from 10am to 7pm. It closes at 6pm in winter.
- Access is free of charge.
- See the latest news here.
If you don’t have a car, you can discover the area by taking the multi-stop bus from Nice? It passes through the Citadelle of Villefranche-sur-Mer. See prices, photos and availability.
2. Swimming Plage des Marinières
On the edge of the railroad line, just opposite the SNCF station (and therefore accessible by TER), Plage des Marinières offers a magnificent view of Villefranche and Cap-Ferrat. We loved its turquoise waters and fine gravel. In fact, it’s one of our favorite beaches on the Côte d’Azur. The beach is public, with a private section in the center, near the lifeguard station. It is equipped with a jellyfish net in summer, showers and sanitary facilities, as well as access ramps for people with reduced mobility.
- Free access (except for private areas).
- Parking nearby.
- See the latest news here.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Visit Saint-Michel Church
Église Saint-Michel is a little jewel nestled among the colorful houses of Villefranche’s old town. We loved its sober, uncluttered Baroque architecture, a Mediterranean adaptation of the Piedmontese Baroque style. We have devoted an entire article to it. Don’t miss it for a glimpse of the treasures it houses, such as its organ and some remarkable paintings and objects.
- The church is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
- Access is free of charge.
4. Getting lost in the old town
The old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with colorful houses with louvered shutters. Its cobbled streets invite you to stroll. There are also small shops, cafés and traditional restaurants where you can enjoy local specialties in a Mediterranean atmosphere. This is one of the reasons why Villefranche is one of our favorite destinations on the Côte d’Azur. Don’t miss the famous Rue Obscure, a covered street dating back to the 14th century!
WHERE TO STAY IN Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Option 1: Waterfront
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel La Réserve de Beaulieu – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Royal Riviera – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Downtown
The town is not far from the seaside, but the views won’t be the same. We recommend..:
- Hotel Carlton – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Select – see prices, pictures and availability
- Havre Bleu Hotel – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: Villefranches or Cap-Ferrat
Right next to Beaulieu, around Cap Ferrat, you can also enjoy lively Villefranches, or the peace and quiet on the cape.
We recommend..:
- Hotel Welcome in Villefranches – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel du Cap Ferrat – prices, pictures and availability
5. Spend the night in Villefranche-sur-Mer
To take full advantage of the atmosphere, we recommend an overnight stay. Enjoy the soft, romantic light of the old town’s narrow streets. And maybe you’ll be lucky enough to catch a show at the citadel’s Théâtre de Verdure? We were able to get a room with a small terrace overlooking the bay at the seafrontHôtel Welcome, where Cocteau once stayed. We watched the sun rise behind Cap Ferrat. A magical moment!
- See prices, photos and availability.
- Please note that rooms with a view are very busy, so book early.
6. Marvel at the decor of the Chapelle Jean Cocteau
Just opposite the Welcome Hotel, the Chapelle Saint-Pierre is ablaze with color. It was built by a brotherhood of local fishermen in the 16th century. The interior was decorated by Jean Cocteau in the 1950s, a sign of the artist’s friendship with the fishermen of the town where he liked to stay. More recently, scenes from the series Emily-in-Paris were shot here, as the heroine spends a few days on the Côte d’Azur. Our article on the Mediterranean filming locations tells you more.
- The chapel is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm.
- Price: €4, free for children under 15.
- Find out more here.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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7. Admire the architecture of Belle Époque villas
The prestigious residences nestling along the hills overlooking the bay of Villefranche bear witness to the pomp and opulence of the Belle Époque. Don’t miss their elegant, refined architecture: ornate facades, wrought-iron balconies, lush gardens… They’re gorgeous!
To take the experience a step further, we recommend a visit:
- The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat.
- The Villa Kérylos at Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
You can plan to visit both as part of a one-day tour of the extraordinary houses of the Côte d’Azur, departing from Nice – see prices, photos and availability.
8. Have a drink on the Port de la Santé
Located north of the citadel, Port de la Santé is Villefranche’s fishing port. It is also home to a number of pleasure craft and the shuttles of liners anchored a little further offshore. Its quays are pedestrianized. Here you’ll find the shady terraces of numerous cafés and restaurants. It’s a great place to enjoy a drink at the end of the day on your way back from the beach or sightseeing. Evenings on the port are also very mild.
You can also choose to have lunch there as part of a day of sightseeing and wine tasting departing from Nice – see prices, photos and availability.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
9. Enjoy the view of Villefranche harbour
The bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer is recognized asone of the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur. Whether you arrive via the corniche or the pass that links it to Nice, the view is breathtaking. The bay is surrounded by cliffs: Cap Ferrat, Cap de Nice and the foothills of the Alps. Several vantage points above the town offer breathtaking views of the medieval city and citadel.
If you don’t have your own car, a Citroën Méhari excursion to Èze and Monaco will let you take full advantage of the views of Villefranche (and all the others!) from the panoramic Moyenne Corniche road – see prices, photos and availability.
10. Walk along the seafront to Port de la Darse and beyond
From the bottom of Villefranche’s old town, you can follow the sentier du littoral (or sentier du Lazaret) for a superb stroll along the Mediterranean coast. It takes you to the Port Royal de la Darse, on the other side of the citadel. The more courageous can continue along the coves at the foot of Mont Boron to Nice:
- 1.4km of safe, sporty hiking trails
- Allow a short 1/2 day round trip
- Find out more here.
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Other things to do in and around Villefranche-sur-Mer
We’ve listed our must-sees, but you can also take advantage of your stay in Villefranche to..:
- Spend a day in Nice that will enrich your stay. There’s so much to see in Nice! Follow our tips to visit Nice in 1 day or hire a guide – see prices, photos and availability.
- Tour the Côte d’Azur by boat and admire the view of Monaco and Nice from the sea – see prices, photos and availability.
- Take a mountain bike ride from Villefranche with a guide – see prices, photos and availability.
Is Villefranche-sur-Mer worth a visit?
Yes, Villefranche is well worth a visit. It’s a prestigious harbor on the Côte d’Azur, offering a breathtaking panorama. We loved the sloping streets leading down to the sea, the warmly-colored churches, the picturesque harbors, the citadel with its 3 museums and green theater, the Belle Époque villas… The old town nestles at the foot of a vast amphitheatre of hills. Thus protected, it benefits from a very mild climate that favors exuberant vegetation and sumptuous blooms. In fact, we’ve included it in our article on the region’s most beautiful villages.
How to get to Villefranche-sur-Mer + parking
Where is Villefranche-sur-Mer?
- On the Côte d’Azur.
- Between Nice (20min drive) and Cap-Ferrat.
How to get there
The easiest way is to come by car to enjoy the village and the surrounding area. You’ll have more freedom to move around the region. Find out all our tips for renting a car in Provence.
However, during the summer season, traffic can be very heavy. In that case, take the train. Villefranche train station is a 10-minute walk from the center. It is on the route of the line linking Marseille-Saint-Charles to Ventimiglia, via Nice (airport).
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
Parking in Villefranche-sur-Mer
There are parking areas in the city, such as on Boulevard Napoléon III and in the Fossés de la Citadelle. Villefranche-sur-Mer also has 3 parking lots: the Wilson parking lot at the foot of the citadel, the Marinières parking lot near the eponymous beach and the Barmassa parking lot on the heights, near the police station.
We had left our car at the Wilson parking lot, on the seafront between the old town and the access road to the citadel. The first 1/2 hour is free. Find out morehere.
Useful tips for visiting Villefranche-sur-Mer
How long and when?
Allow 1 hour if you just want a tour of the old town, or half a day if you want to visit the church and citadel. It’s best to arrive early in the morning, before the crowds, so you can park easily and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Villefranche organizes a wide range of events:
- The Combat Naval Fleuri, a colorful festival emblematic of the town, takes place in February. Find out more here.
- La Crème Festival, in June, a tribute to Côte d’Azur authenticity and a spotlight on the current music scene. Find out more here.
Find out more about all scheduled events here.
In any case, to really soak up the atmosphere, we recommend an overnight stay. We chose theHôtel Welcome, where Cocteau stayed, for its history and view of the bay – See prices, photos and availability
For more choice, discover our best places to stay between Beaulieu and Villefranche.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
The center of Villefranche is small but the streets are steep, with steps and staircases everywhere. We recommend you start by visiting the citadel. You’ll still have a little energy left to wander the streets and discover churches and chapels before settling down for lunch or a drink by the sea.
Visiting with children
There’s plenty to do in Villefranche with children:
- A treasure hunt is available free of charge from the Tourist Office to enable children aged 4 to 12 to discover Villefranche’s secrets and treasures in a fun way.
- In summer, the open-air cinema at the citadel’s Théâtre de Verdure is also aimed at young audiences. Check out the program here.
- The Citadelle Saint-Elme also offers a wide range of events. For more information, click here.
- Not to mention the water sports activities! Why not take a guided stand-up paddle tour? It lasts 2 hours and is available from age 7, provided you can swim – see prices, photos and availability.
Restaurants
We haven’t tested any Villefranche-sur-Mer restaurants yet.
But on our list is:
- The Restaurant La Belle Étoile, bistronomic and locavore, a gustatory journey through the terroir of Provence.
- Restaurant Les Garçons, Mediterranean cuisine with fresh market produce and daily fresh fish.
Just 10 minutes from Villefranche, don’t miss our best places to eat in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
