Heaped above an idyllic harbour, this picturesque village with imposing citadel overlooks the Cap Ferrat peninsula and, thanks to its deep harbour, is a prime port of call for cruise ships. The 14th-century old town, with its tiny, evocatively named streets broken by twisting staircases and glimpses of the sea, is a delight to amble (preferably broken with a long lazy lunch on the water's edge or bijou old-town square). Especially outside of summer season, Villefranche offers a vision of small-town Mediterranean life that's totally unexpected so close to Nice. Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images Get the Lonely Planet App Stay connected in Villefranche-sur-Mer Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount. Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions. Book your France trip with Lonely Planet Journeys See France how it's meant to be seen Planned by local experts and tailored to you, Lonely Planet Journeys handles the logistics so you can just enjoy the trip. Tell us what you want and we'll build your France itinerary from scratch, or browse our bookable trips to get inspired. Save Save your favorites! Sign in to save, get inspo & more Attraction in Villefranche-sur-Mer Chapelle St-Pierre Discover

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