Villefranche, France
(Note the Train Station at the Foot of the Bay in
Relationship With the Tender Wharf)
Overview:
Villefranche is a wonderful village that most ships
overlook, as there are so many high profile tourist
attractions nearby. Dubbed as the port for Nice,
Villefranche is often overlooked by visitors looking to
go to Cannes, Nice or Monaco. But, Villefranche is a
wonderful port in itself and very worthy of your
attention. It offers perfect Mediterranean weather and a
distinctly French experience. The euro is the currency
of France.
Cruise
Port Location and Information:
Anchored Off of
Villefranche
Ships
anchor off Villefranche and tender into port to the
tender wharf.
The Villefranche Tender
Wharf
The
tender wharf is located right in the heart of
Villefranche and everything is within easy walking
distance from it. There will be people from the local
tourist authority inside the tender wharf that can
answer questions and offer advice.
Exploring on Your Own:
Villefranche's Old
Section
Villefranche is easily explored on your own. In fact,
that is about the only way that you can visit it. It has
everything going for it. An exciting Old Section, great
beaches, wonderful restaurants and bars, shopping and
much more. One could spend their entire time in
Villefranche and have a stellar visit.
Shopping Tips:
A Villefranche Grocery
Store
There
is limited shopping in Villefranche. There re some shops
along the harbor side and in the Old Section, but
shopping is so much better in Nice that I would
recommend traveling to Nice to shop.
Port
Highlights:
Shopping and dining in
Villefranche
Right
along the harbor front are some restaurants and shops
worth exploring. You will see a couple of openings along
this stretch that lead to the Old Section of
Villefranche.
Villefranche's Cobbled
Old Section
The Old
Section is actually quite large and you will find some
"to die for" little restaurants along the way. The
narrow alley ways twist and turn their way through the
Old Section with photo opportunities at every turn.
Villefranche Pedestrian
Street
You
will also find some interesting shops in the Old
Section, but it is important to realize that this entire
area is inhabited by the Villefranche locals.
A Villefranche Clothes
Dryer
The
beauty of Villefranche is its connection with everyday
life.
Stairs Leading Down to
the Harbor
In the
Old Section you are either walking uphill or downhill.
One of the Lateral
Streets
However, there are some streets that traverse the steep
incline and offer a rather flat walking surface. The Old
Section of Villefrancehe will captivate you.
The Ever Present French
Window Treatments
Where
ever you go in the Old Section you are reminded that you
are in France.
Villefranche's Old
District
While there are several ways to penetrate the Old
District, look for this church tower as one that will
take you back to the harbor quickly.
The Alley Back to the
Harbor
While
there is a lot to see and do in Villefranche, the
shopping is much better in Nice and a train or bus ride
is all that is separating you from it. I was once on a
cruise with a group of kids that were in wheel chairs
and they wheeled their way into Nice from Villefranche.
It is close and easy to get to.
Villefranche and Its
Beaches
Of
course you can't beat spending the day on the beach in
Villefranche. There are several beaches to choose from
and you can easily walk over to beaches to the east by
climbing the stairs at the east end of the beach and
continuing past the mansions along the way.
Off the
Beaten Path:
Villefranche is connected to both the bus system and the
train system so visiting neighbor cities and villages is
simple. However, finding the train station can be a
little difficult unless you know how to get to it. If
you look at the picture on the very top of this review,
you will see the tracks and the train statiin. Note that
it comes out of a tunnel right before the station and
then goes right back into another tunnel as it departs
Villefranche. Unfortunately, you can't see the train
station from Villefranche itself. Here is how to get to
it.
The Restaurants o
Villefranche and the Way to the Train Station
As you
walk along the harbor side heading into the beach you
will see the ocean on your right and restaurants and
shops along your left.
The Stairs Are Hidden
Behind This Tree
When
you near the last restaurant before the parking lot for
the beach, you will see this large tree.
The Sign for the Train
Station
When
you go behind the tree you will see the sign for the
train station and the stairway.
The Stairs to the Train
Station
Climb
up the stairs until you come to the underpass and then
turn right to the stairs that lead up to the train
station.
The Villefranche Train
Station
You can
purchase your tickets in the station and then pick up
your train when it stops at the station. Be sure that
you are on the right side of the track when your train
comes, as they do not stay at the station very long. The
eastbound trains travel onn the track closest to the
station and the westbound trains travel on the track
next to the beach. Also, there is an excellent view of
the harbor from the ocean side of the train tracks for
taking pictures and such.
Dining
and Drinking Suggestions:
You cannot
go wrong with any of the restaurants along the harbor
side for either lunch or dinner. I would definitely
consider dinner off the ship if you are ported here
until later i the evening. Frendh restaurants have a way
of captivating everyone.
Must Do
List:
I would
give an exploration of Villefranche's Old Section a
"Must Do" rating. It is unique and can be done in an
hour or less.
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