Villefranche Sur Mer is renowned for having one of the most beautiful bays in the world and it also boasts a picturesque waterfront, terracotta colours and narrow cobbled streets. With the bay brimming with superyachts, the town with colourful houses piled on top of each other is a more peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of Nice, while being close enough to soak up the city and nearby hilltop towns.
Arrive in moments by train, bus or taxi, making the journey from the airport seamless and the holiday that little bit more relaxing.
Bay View by name, bay view by nature. This two-bed apartment offers vast windows overlooking the famous bay, with a lovely balcony offering the ultimate spot to enjoy a glass of Provence rosé.
Saunter down to the harbourfront restaurants, lounge on the charming sandy beach and wander through the cobbled streets. Head to La Mayssa for an unrivalled panoramic view of the bay and the harbour, and enjoy a waterside fresh fish meal or a glass of rosé.
Sunny most of the year but whatever the weather, there is an abundance of day trips and things to do in and around Villefranche. Here are a few of our recommendations:
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
The apartment is a stone’s throw away from the famous ‘Billionaire’s Bay’, a renowned pricey postcode for the A Listers. Enjoy the flat walk around the peninsula, where the footpath winds around the cap close to the sea so you can admire the mansions, scenery and ocean all in one. Finish off in Paloma beach for a strawberry daiquiri as a reward for getting the steps in!
Monaco
Being only a couple of train stops away from the affluent principality of Monaco, it’s well worth dropping in to see what all the fuss is about! Check out the Jardin Exotique, casino, incredible port and take a walk or drive around the Formula One Grand Prix track. There’s also an incredible view point over Monaco called the ‘Tête de Chien’ which you can reach with a short walk. Have a coffee and people watch to your hearts content in this unique and super stylish area.
Eze
Get your trainers on for a short but steep hike to the medieval hilltop village of Eze, it’ll be well worth it for the view. Look back for a gorgeous view of the deep blue bay, and unwind at the top with a cool drink from Chateau Eze followed by a stroll around the botanical gardens. Time to relax after the hike, so head to Anjuna Beach Club, a legendary turquoise themed beach club for a vibey but sophisticated beach restaurant and bar.
La Turbie
As the flat has a garage, you can hire a car and take advantage of the quaint hill-top towns and villages close to the area. While there are several to choose from, we recently enjoyed the medieval La Turbie. The combination of a short drive, with the well preserved, picturesque village with a great lunch spot made a wholesome day trip. After exploring the streets lined with exotic plants and historical monuments, get yourself a reservation in at Cafe de la Fontaine for n unpretentious, authentic and locally sourced Provencal cuisine (owned by a Chef with two Michelin stars!)
Looking for additional French Riviera recommendations? We have an extended itinerary here.
There also a wealth of ideas and activities to be found on our associates Riviera website
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