We have the opportunity through our membership in RCI to have a week at a timeshare in Villefranche. (We are also on the waiting list for Aix en Provence, Normandie, Florence,Portofino, and/or Venice. The problem, of course, with RCI is that you never know if or when the other possibilities may become available. My question is, would Villefranche be a good destination for a week? Are there enough things to see either there or by daytripping? Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Villefranche is very near Nice and on the train line. It's a beautiful town for just hanging out. From there you could do many day trips along the French Riviera. Italy's sites are a long ways away, though.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1315 posts
Villefranche is a wonderful choice, an easy bus ride into Nice and to many other Cote d'Azur towns. Yes, there are plenty of places to go on day trips: Cap Ferrat, Nice, Menton, Monaco, Antibes, Cagnes sur Mer, Cannes. You can also explore inland in Vence, St Paul de Vence, and Eze le Village. Rick's Provence book will give you plenty of ideas.
Posted by
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
172 posts
We always stay in Villefranche-sur-mer, it is a beaut town with easy access for lots of day trips. One of my favorites is the market in Ventimiglia, just inside the Italian border, about a half hr. train ride from Villefranche. Be sure to arrive hungry! There is a lovely walking path right around Cap Ferrat with easy access from Villefranche along the beach past the train stn. above. Rick's 'Provence and the French Riviera' book is great for this area. This is one of my favorite areas in Europe because of so many sites within easy reach. Oh, and the scenery is spectacular, snow covered (sometimes) mountains behind and beaut. azure sea in front of you! Guess that is why it is called the Cote d'Azur by the locals. Have a wonderful holiday!
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
138 posts
I was in Villefranche sur Mer about 8 years ago and it was absolutely breath-taking! There is a fabulous artiste, Monique Bornstein, who resides and works there. She is famous for her landscape and jazz paintings (her first love is jazz). Hotel Welcome is where we stayed which is at the beginning of the village, which is very small. We did see quite a few things in the 3 or 4 nights we stayed there, but most of that was day tripping (Eze, Monaco, etc.). I would say that Portofino, while lovely, is more confining than Villefranche. Related to Venice, more than 3 nights might get boring, however, it's great for a short-term trip - it's a must see actually.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32206 posts
Bob,
As the others have said, Villefranche is a great choice! The town is beautiful and there's SO much to see in that area, you could easily spend a week exploring the area.
It wouldn't be hard to spend a full day in Nice. Aside form the Museums, just wandering around the "old town" with the street markets, restaurants, "Promenade des Anglais" and the beach, etc. You could spend another day in Monaco and Monte Carlo (which is just on the "opposite hill" from Monaco - note that there's a dress code in the Casino). The Oceanographic Museum in Monaco is very interesting. There's also the Changing of the Guard (11:55 daily as I recall) and the Church where Princess Grace & Prince Rainier are interred. You could also venture a bit further to Cannes or Antibes. LOTS to do for a week!
Happy travels!