Making the most of Villefranche Nice
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Villefranche presents an impressive approach, and an even better departure at sunset: steep terraced streets in this pretty centuries-old fishing village form a delightfully timeless picture against dense woodland.
Tenders arrive at a small jetty on the village's western side. Because all sea traffic uses it, they can wait 5 to 10 minutes before docking. The small passenger cruise terminal has a tourist-information desk with bus and train timetables; Villefranche's centre is immediately behind it, across the road and up a series of steps.
Or turn right along the seafront for a long, narrow beach curving around the bay's eastern end. Steps at the bay's bend lead, after a pretty 10 min walk, to the exclusive resort of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
If you arrive at Nice airport without being particularly rushed and might save money, take the airport bus to the railway station for about 4 euro's each one way. A train to Villefranche could then cost a max of probably around 3 Euros each one-way. Balance the combined fares for your party against a taxi, at about 40-50 Euro.
A printable map to take with you.
Although so many ships call, Villefranche remains quiet and relaxed. Many passengers tour or independently visit neighbouring Riviera resorts, while the area from the seafront to the upper road, part of the lower Corniche, is largely made up of narrow pedestrian streets, steps and alleyways.
Its waterfront and the village have enough cafes, restaurants and patisseries to occupy at least half a day easily.
Chapelle St Pierre: the St Peter Chapel, decorated by Jean Cocteau, is a Roman-style chapel from the XIVth century, dedicated to St Peter, patron saint of fishermen. Initially a place of cult, it soon served as a storeroom for fishing equipment, and also contains the fishermen's prud'homy.
After many stays at the Welcome hotel, Jean Cocteau—writer, film maker and painter of the XXth century—decided in 1957, with the fishermen's agreement, to restore the chapel inside and out as a friendship gesture. Its scenes include passages from St Peter's life, the fishermen's patron; apocalypse candelabras bearing God's single eye, fired in Valbonne's kiln; and local scenes paying homage to the Saintes Maries de la Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer's young ladies.
Getting around
Wear comfortable shoes because the town is very hilly.
Trains conveniently reach Nice in 7 min, Cannes in 25 min to the west, and Monte Carlo in 20 min to the east. The station is only a 10 minutes walk from the terminal, at the top of steps opposite where the beach begins. The steps are partly hidden from the promenade, so look for the SNCF, the French railways, sign on the wall. Each way costs 1.60 to Nice and 2.70 to Monaco.
Busses cost only 1 Euro to either Monaco or Nice, but their stop is a little farther away.
Suggested itinerary: travel by train to Nice Ville Station, collect a map from the tourist office next door, then follow Avenue Jean Medecin, the main shopping street, down towards the beautiful waterfront. Continue to Place Garibaldi (Rue Papon) and catch bus #100 to Monaco for 1.50 Euro.
In Monaco, leave the bus at the Tourist Office for a map and directions to the train station. Explore the town and browse the realtors' windows—you suddenly feel poor—before taking the train back to Villefranche.
Nearby places
St. Paul de Vence is an idyllic medieval hill village. Just outside, reached by a short steep way up, Fondation Maeght is a museum in a lovely setting with works by Chagall, Miro and others.
Food and shopping
If you are there on Sunday, a flea market operates right next to the Welcome hotel.
Nice's big designer labels are west of place Masséna, on avenue de Suède and rue Alphonse Karr, rue de la Liberté, rue Masséna, and rue du Paradis.
Nice's antiques and brocante market, at Pl. Robilante beside the old port, operates Tuesday through Saturday.
Money
Euro currency.
Staying connected
At the small but comfortable tender terminal, WiFi is free for 20 Minutes.
112 is the local emergency number.
Opening Hours and
In France, most shops, businesses, information services, museums and banks open throughout the day. Smaller shops and enterprises may shut for lunch between 12.30pm and 2pm. Big shops' basic hours are 8 or 9am to 6.30 or 7.30pm Monday to Saturday, while smaller ones generally open Tuesday to Saturday, though some open Monday afternoon. Boulangeries and food shops can still be found open when others close, normally until noon on Sunday.