Villefranche-sur-mer: a Beautiful Holiday Destination on the Cote D'azur
As one approaches the brow of the hill of the Basse Corniche, one is startled by the deep ultramarine bay spread out at the feet of the picture-perfect Villefranche-sur-Mer. Villefrance, founded in the 14th century by Charles II of Anjou as a duty-free fishing port, is the jewel in the crown of the French Cote d'Azur between Nice and Monaco. It is built on the wooded slopes encircling one of the most beautiful roadways in the Mediterranean, the three Corniches ' high, middle and low. In the 1920s, it was the haunt of the poet/film-maker Jean Cocteau, and later Errol Flynn, then the Beat poet, Allan Ginsberg, and latterly U2; Tina Turner now has a villa there.
Luxury villas in Villefranche are very popular with the English community on the French Riviera, and many Villefranch villas are available to rent for the holiday season. Holiday season in June to September, eventhough villas to rent in Villefranche may provide a relaxing holiday trip summer and winter owing to the mild climate.
The terracotta roofs of this unspoilt medieval town slope down to the horseshoe-shaped bay (called une rade); it lies between the Cap Ferrat Peninsula and the Mount Boron heights. The town is a jumble of cobble-stoned streets and attractive little squares such as Place Félix Poullan and Place de l'Eglise. Nearby, in the rue de l'Eglise, there is a delightful restaurant called L'Echalote. Don't miss the Brocant (antiques market) on Sundays. There are many brasseries along the quai, also excellent fish restaurants such as L'oursin Bleu, Fille du Pêcheur. One of the prettiest train routes in the world runs from Nice through Villefranche and along the coast, just above the beaches, to and past the Italian border, so it is an exciting ride to get to other destinations on the coast such as Menton or Monaco.
Cocteau's most celebrated creation in Villefrance is the interior of the tiny 14th century Chapelle de St-Pierre-des-Pêcheurs at the western end of the port, which he rescued from the fishermen who used it as a store for their equipment. He restored it in 1957 to its original function, covering the entire interior with evangelical murals depicting St Peter's life. He also filmed his famous film Orphée, in the well-know vaulted rue Obscure, which protected the citizens from harm during bombardments.
A fabulous blue and yellow creation overlooking the port, a hotel by the name Hotel Welcome, is the revamped one where Cocteau used to fraternize with the local sailors in the 1920s in a haze of opium; a room here with a balcony overlooking the port would be an ideal place to stay. On the eve of Shrove Tuesday the port becomes the setting for a local maritime festival when the fishermen flood the port with their flower-filled boats, a spectacle not to be missed. The 16th century castle, or citadel, with a drawbridge, further along the bay, was built in 1560 for the Duke of Savoy. It serves as a museum for a local sculptor and also has minor works by artists such as Picasso, Picabia and Miro. During the summer, it serves as an outdoor theatre and cinema.
The dearth of properties in the golden triangle of Villefranche, Beaulieu and St Jean Cap Ferrat ensure that prices for real estate are high. If you are looking to come on holiday to Villefranche-sur-mer there are many possibilities for holiday accommodation. Agents have a collection of villefranche apartments and properties in and outsite this adorable seaside town. Certain immobilier on the web are specialists in villa rental in villefranche on the Cote Dazur having a good selection of exclusive properties, and estates available to rent. Where better to stay than a luxury rental villa when on holiday in Villefranche.
