France > France regions > Provence > Alpes-Maritimes > Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is in the Alpes-Maritimes department of the Cote d'Azur, close to the French border with Italy and 5 km from Nice.
The town is built on terraces up the steep hill that overlooks the azure blue sea and beautiful bay of the Mediterranean below. The town has been occupied since roman times, and there are some older buildings to be seen - you can't miss the 16th century citadel, the large walled building next to the water below the old town, that is now home to a clutch of museums.
The big attraction in Villefranche-sur-Mer - seaside, harbour and beach apart - is the attractive old town with beautiful ancient houses lining the steep cobbled streets that wind up through the town.
One interesting feature that reminds you that you are in an ancient town - the streets that run along the hill (rather than up and down) pass through arches under the houses, creating a great atmosphere - the best known is called Rue Obscura.
There are also a couple of churches of interest eg Chapel Saint Pierre, featuring decoration by Cocteau, in the Villefranche-sur-Mer old town, before you ascend to the Mont Alban Fort for great views out across the sea and along the coast.
Perhaps equally interesting are the villas and 'palaces' of the rich and famous tucked away in the hills around the town - the rest of us can only dream!
Not surprisingly, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a very popular holiday destination and day-trip destination for the other resorts of the Cote d'Azur and can become very crowded.
Villefranche-sur-Mer: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Places to visit - Villefranche-sur-Mer
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Villefranche-sur-Mer are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Menton Coast town at 22 km
- Monaco Independent Principality at 12 km
- Gorbio French Riviera town at 17 km
- La Turbie French Riviera town at 11 km
- Peillon French Riviera town at 11 km
- Sospel French Riviera town at 24 km
- Roquebrune-Cap-Martin French Riviera town at 18 km
- Juan-les-Pins Beach resort at 27 km
- Antibes Riviera town at 25 km
- Nice Major Riviera resort at 5 km
- Cap Ferrat French Riviera peninsula at 3 km
- Cagnes-sur-Mer Village and Chateau Grimaldi at 19 km
- Vence Attractive town at 22 km
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence Popular hilltop village at 21 km
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