Cote d'Azur France.
Nice and Cannes lie just to the west and Monte Carlo is just to the east, but nicely undiscovered is the charming small beach city of Villefranche sur Mer. With a sandy shore, small medieval village and relaxed atmosphere, Villefranche sur Mer is a lovely escape from the bustle of bigger Cote d'Azur cities mere minutes away.
Just a few minutes away from Nice, this beach is sandier, quieter and less jam-packed with tourists than its more high-profile neighbor. There is only a handful of shops and cafes here, but sunbathing is much more pleasant.
Beautiful mansions loom overhead, and there is a delightful market here. You can always hop the train and be in Nice (for shopping and so on) in five minutes.
Villefranche sur Mer is literally just five minutes from Nice. If you are relying on public transportation, probably the easiest way is to hop a train from Nice in the direction of Monaco/Ventimiglia. Before you get comfortable in your seat, it will stop at Villefranche sur Mer. There is also a local bus line that runs this route.
Villefranche sur Mer also makes a wonderful central place to vacation and allow for daytrip to any number of Riviera destinations, including Eze, Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Menton, Antibes, Grasse, Saint Paul de Vence. The options could consume a month, much less a week's vacation.
Nice and Cannes lie just to the west and Monte Carlo is just to the east, but nicely undiscovered is the charming small beach city of Villefranche sur Mer. With a sandy shore, small medieval village and relaxed atmosphere, Villefranche sur Mer is a lovely escape from the bustle of bigger Cote d'Azur cities mere minutes away.
Just a few minutes away from Nice, this beach is sandier, quieter and less jam-packed with tourists than its more high-profile neighbor. There is only a handful of shops and cafes here, but sunbathing is much more pleasant.
Beautiful mansions loom overhead, and there is a delightful market here. You can always hop the train and be in Nice (for shopping and so on) in five minutes.
Villefranche sur Mer is literally just five minutes from Nice. If you are relying on public transportation, probably the easiest way is to hop a train from Nice in the direction of Monaco/Ventimiglia. Before you get comfortable in your seat, it will stop at Villefranche sur Mer. There is also a local bus line that runs this route.
Villefranche sur Mer also makes a wonderful central place to vacation and allow for daytrip to any number of Riviera destinations, including Eze, Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Menton, Antibes, Grasse, Saint Paul de Vence. The options could consume a month, much less a week's vacation.