Monday, January 10, 2022

Villefranche-sur-Mer: The Next LGBTQ Destination?

Something’s up.

Seemingly unspoken about until a week ago. At a recent gathering with friends who all live in or have second homes in Villefranche-sur-Mer, we found it intriguing how many people in the LGBTQ community of all ages have decided to consider the town their home.

There is undoubtedly no question why one would want to do so; the area’s natural beauty with its breathtaking panoramic sea views towards the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat peninsula is enough reason.


We found it fascinating how many couples or single people we knew of from the LGBTQ community are in or want to move to the area during the discussion.

After all, there are no gay nightclubs, bars, or shops specific to the community, but beyond that, it seems to offer so much more. A laid-back lifestyle, a small-town feel, the locals are friendly, curious, and approachable, numerous amenities are within walking distance, and a true feeling that you are in the actual Cote d’Azur because of its architecture and history.


Villefranche-sur-Mer is ideally located between Nice and Monaco, if one wanted to visit either of those locations, it only takes minutes by car, or is just as convenient by frequent trains and buses. Hence, it’s not like you’d ever miss out on anything.

For the size of Villefranche-sur-Mer (population around 5000 but at least double that during the summer months), it possesses a cultural melting pot of nationalities by the people you might see or meet on the streets and beaches, and even amongst the wide selection of restaurants to suit everyone’s tastes.

In speaking with people that chose to live in Villefranche-sur-Mer, either full or part-time, the main reason seems to be the same, the quality of life away from the hustle of a city.

Yet, if one wants to, a quick Uber ride will get you safely and cheaply to the center of Nice amongst all the LGBTQ attractions such as the nightclubs and bars. And Monte-Carlo is also just minutes away if you want to do some luxury shopping.

There is a sense of calm in Villefranche-sur-Mer. This place offers you the chance to slow down and reflect while also enabling many inspirational ideas for any possible plans in your life.

Being in the luxury real estate and rental business means I have to be observant of any shifts and changes for clients. And even well before the pandemic hit, Villefranche-sur-Mer has always been a top vacation travel destination, no matter your sexual preference.

As for real estate, whether as an investment or a second home, the requests come in weekly for everything from studios to high-end luxury villas in the hills.

Many close friends who have purchased a property in Villefranche-sur-Mer have mentioned they felt they got more for the money, just in views alone, over being in the center of a busy city. Those that have come here for a holiday for the first time never want to leave and speak fondly of Villefranche-sur-Mer from their memories and experiences of the place and return as often as they can.

It almost feels like you can’t go two blocks now without knowing someone in the LGBTQ community with an apartment or villa in any neighborhood, so a change is taking place, quietly but definitely…

Having explored the area extensively over the years, no matter the time of day or night there is always something to see and do, and it is incredibly safe throughout the year.

If you want to discover “the life,” as the locals in the French Riviera fondly refer to the region, Villefranche-sur-Mer is the place to be

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