Vibrant Villefranche-sur-Mer

In my years of living in the French Riviera, I'm surprised I've never written about Villefranche-sur-Mer before?!

Likely because the location quickly became such a part of daily life but if you are planning a trip to France, this is definitely a place you have to come experience.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is an amazing seaside town just 3.5kms from Nice on the way to Monaco and is known for its colorful, historic buildings, gourmet restaurants, beaches, and shops.

A visit to the French Riviera would not be complete without spending some of your time here.

With a lengthy history dating back to prehistoric times, this area was also used by the Greeks and Romans as a place for stops during their journeys. Know for it's natural surroundings, breathtaking views and the Rade de Villefranche, which is one of the deepest in the world making it ideal for boating, diving and includes a variety of sea life such as dolphins and whales.

Given the beauty of the area, during the mid-1900s, this part of France became known for its wealthy and royal visitors that built many luxury properties so that they could enjoy the warm sunshine throughout the year and entice friends and families for long visits.

This all leads to Villefranche-sur-Mer quickly becoming a true travel destination for tourists to relax and entertain during their holidays with others.

Compared to city life in places such as Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer offers a more subdued lifestyle. Here you can explore the many pedestrian streets amongst the colorful buildings at your leisure, shop at the many boutiques that will cater to your every whim. and enjoy delicious meals offering local food favorites. 

Not known as a particularly "gay" place to live, the area is still very gay-friendly and members of the LGBT community do live or own second homes here. For those that don't want hectic city life, this is the place to be. I personally have many gay friends that live in Villefranche-sur-Mer who love it and it's always a pleasure and a welcoming break when I get to visit with them.

Nightlife is a different situation due to the size of the town so there are no nightclubs, yet it doesn't feel like you would be missing that scene. Here the bars and restaurants tend to be extended out onto terraces where you can enjoy the sounds of a band or DJ under the stars.

This is a great way to meet the friendly locals that live nearby year-round or others also on vacation. During the summer months , there are lots of outdoor concerts in the parks along with a large outdoor cinema playing various favorite international films.

If you want to have some of the most amazing experiences of your life, plan a visit to Villefranche-sur-Mer! Even Madonna spent time here at a luxury villa rental overlooking the bay and town during one of her birthdays, so if it's good enough for the superstar...