Villefranche is a charming French fishing village that offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience everything French. It rests on a steep hillside that surrounds a beautiful bay where colorful fishing boats and nets bob in the azure water.  Across the coastal main thoroughfare, cafes and restaurants display their French menus inviting you to come and try their gastronomic delicacies.

     Villefranche (full name is Villefranche-sur-Mer, which literally means on the sea) is also surrounded by an fascinating, international scene.  Villefranche remains a charming anchorage for the yachts of the rich and famous residing in Saint Jean-Cap Ferrat.  Because of its reclusive exclusivity, celebrities who wanted to escape the limelight built beautiful houses into the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. It is hard to believe that it can still retain the charm and genuineness of a little village where people still know each other.

     While many cruise passengers use Villefranche for a landing point to reach the much more publicized Monaco and Monte Carlo, there is much to see and learn and love about this quiet little village.  While walking can be steep at times in this  picturesque village, the cobblestone walkways will lead you to surprising luxuriant parks, the fascinating Old Section and its amazing shops  …to say nothing of the breathtaking views to the sea from above..

     And…there's no confusion, either, as to what another of Villefranche's main attraction is.   Unquestionably, it is its beautiful beach.  The beach at Villefranche is a few hundred-yard-walk from Port Sante where the tender drops people off. Although rather small, villagers and visitors alike flock to its shores taking pleasure in the beautiful clear blue water and the magnificent coastal cliffs beyond.

     So if you can't squeeze this charming little village into your itinerary this time, on your next cruise to the French Riviera be sure to tender ashore and explore all of the nooks and crannies of this historic village .

Geography:     Villefranche-sur-Mer is located about 6 km (4 miles) east of the city of Nice, separated by Mont Boron, Mont Alban and Mont Vinaigrier, and 10 km (6 miles) south west of Monaco. On the far side of Mont Boron is Villefranche, and the beautiful natural harbor developed in the early 14th century by Charles II of Anjou. The city limits extend to the hills surrounding the bay climbing from sea level to an altitude of 520 m (1750 ft) at Mont-Leuze. Running parallel to each other are three “Corniches.”(pronounced: kor NEESHes--Roads named because they resembled the decorative frieze that runs along the top of buildings, i.e. - cornice). Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Monaco are linked by these three coastal routes, known as the Low, Middle and High Corniches.

Language: The official language of France is French, but some English is spoken in many tourist areas. However, very few people in Villefranche speak English.

Currency: The official currency of France is the Euro. Dollars are rarely accepted, other than at some souvenir shops and other high profile tourist locations. Even there, Euros may be demanded. The best way to obtain Euros is by using your ATM card at one of the plentiful ATM machines. Credit Cards (Amex, VISA, MasterCard) are widely accepted, but Traveler's Checks are rarely tendered.

Weather: Villefranche enjoys perfect Mediterranean weather with warm temperatures during the day and temperate nights. Expect summer highs to range in the 70s and 80s.

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