We are planning to visit Provence in early October, tentatively 5 nights in Aix and then 5 nights in Nice area. Was thinking to stay in Villefrance sur mer as we like smaller villages, and want to use it a base to “spoke” out doing day trips. We read that cruise ships come in to this port by tender, and thought this might be too busy. We know that cruise ships usually leave the evenings quiet after everyone heads back to the ship. Any recommendations on where to base ourselves, we won’t have a car and plan to tour by bus, train, and small group excursion's.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
283 posts
We really enjoyed Villefranche sur mer. Spent 4 days there. Easy walking to Rothschild Estate Garden. Bus to Eze. Nice waterfront. Not very touristy.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3279 posts
Other than dealing with a nasty and unreasonable client back in the US, Villefranche sur Mer was wonderful. I found that most of the cruise folk who arrived left immediately on a myriad of shore excursions to Nice and Monaco. Other than slight congestion where they disembarked, I felt that their arrival and departure had little effect on enjoying my stay. Very easy to take public transportation for day trips.
I was on a Rick Steves tour and this was our last stop. We stayed at the Hotel de La Darse and I had a room overlooking the marina and the bay. Incomparable views!
Posted by
OP
Canada
14 posts
Thanks, feeling good about our choice now, will check out that hotel
Posted by
Minnesota
65 posts
We really enjoyed staying at Hotel Welcome in Villefranche sur Mer with a sea view room and balcony. It was fun to look out on the waterfront. Villefranche has a lovely shale beach and great restaurants. The cruise ship passengers almost all leave right after their arrival, so it was not an issue. Nearby we enjoyed St Jean Cap Ferrat and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. You can take a regional train or bus to Monaco and Nice and other locations also. Villefranche sur Mer has been one of our favorite locations in many years of travel.
Posted by
OP
Canada
14 posts
Can you recommend a place to stay with 1 bedroom, kitchenette and balcony? A view would make it perfect. And within 10 -15 min walking to bus/train