- Mr Plane Guy
- Jun 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Villefranche-sur-Mer: The French Riviera Town You Need to Explore!
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a town on the French Riviera that you must visit.
A tiny town with a lengthy name and a huge personality. It's the kind of place where even the seagulls sound chic!
Each corner of this French seaside town is simply stunning! Cobbled backstreets, with colourful shuttered houses after every corner, it's such a picturesque scene, all waiting to be captured on a postcard and it leaves instagrammer's 'throffing' at the mouth!
Is Villefranche-sur-Mer Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the prettiest towns on the French Riviera, known for its colourful waterfront, crystal-clear sea, charming old town and relaxed atmosphere. Located just a few minutes from Nice by train, it makes one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips on the Côte d'Azur.
With the smell of the salty air mixed with the smell of money (wafting in from nearby Monaco) add in the smell of garlic from the scrumptious restaurants.
Villefranche may not be big, but it’s beautiful and it’s the perfect place to go on a day trip from Nice. Enjoy Villefranche-sur-Mer with my complete guide!
What does Villefranche-sur-Mer mean?
Oh la la, Villefranche means the joining up of several communes, so little communes by the sea.
How to Get From Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer
The easiest way is by train from Nice-Ville or Nice Riquier station. The journey takes around 10 minutes and tickets typically cost only a few euros. Trains run frequently throughout the day, making Villefranche-sur-Mer one of the easiest French Riviera day trips.and the line runs along several towns such as Monaco (technically a different country) Eze, Menton (oh more about Menton here!)
Things to do in Villefranch-sur-Mer
I was meant to arrive like Joan Collins on a fabulous super yacht but being dyslexic I booked the boat for the wrong day, DOH! Your probably thinking I must have lost so much money! Well just over £20 actually so I will get over my silly mistake!
If you use Get Your Guide they have such a good range of excursions from Nice and ideas of things to do, but they have an amazing app to keep all your tickets and booking details at hand, such as a meeting place that will connect to google maps! I love it!
Here is the boat trip you can do from Nice, it runs several times a day and is super great value!
Here are some other suggestions of things to do in Villefranch-sur-Mer
They also have a twice weekly market here on Wednesdays and Saturdays
How I Found Cheap Flights to Nice
Some of the best French Riviera flight deals I've seen have come through Jack's Flight Club. If you're flexible with dates, it's one of the easiest ways to find cheap flights to Nice from across the UK. Jack’s Flight Club Launches £1 Premium Trial The Smartest Way to Find Cheap Flights in 2026
The Beach at Villefranche-sur-Mer
The main beach is Plage des Marinieres, it's a long curved bay with crystal clear water that makes it perfect for swimming.
Where to stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer
I stayed nearby at Nice at the Nice Pam Hotel, if you're looking for a cute affordable hotel in Nice, I have you covered!
Just a five minute walk from Nice Riquer station, which is perfect to connect to all of the amazing French Riviera towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer, but you are also in the heart of Nice!
Also Check out: Menton: The Guide to this French Riviera Hidden Gem Town.
Plane Tip: Try the Pizza at ESPUMA
Check out this restaurant! This pizza was so good! I think because this part of France is so close to Italy theirs defiantly an Italian influence here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Villefranche-sur-Mer
How far is Villefranche-sur-Mer from Nice?
Villefranche-sur-Mer is around 10 minutes by train from Nice.
Can you swim in Villefranche-sur-Mer?
Yes. Plage des Marinières is one of the best beaches on the French Riviera with calm, clear water ideal for swimming.
Is Villefranche-sur-Mer expensive?
It's generally cheaper than nearby Monaco but slightly more expensive than Nice.
How long do you need in Villefranche-sur-Mer?
Most visitors can comfortably explore the town in half a day, although a full day allows time for lunch and the beach.
Plane Related Links
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Villefranche-sur-Mer: The French Riviera Town You Need to Explore!
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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