WHAT TO SEE & DO
Overview Table
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viewpoint Upper Corniche | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 2 | Old Town | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Old Town | Self | Free |
| 3 | St. Elme Citadel | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Neighborhood + Garden | Self | Free |
| 4 | Viewpoint Middle Corniche | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 5 | Viewpoint Lower Corniche | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 6 | Seafront | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Seafront | Self | Free |
| 7 | Rampart Base Walkway | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Walkway | Self | Free |
| 8 | Beaches | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Beaches | Self | Either |
| 9 | St. Michel Church | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Church | Self | Free |
| 10 | St. Pierre Chapel | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Chapel | Self | Paid € |
| 11 | Viewpoint Princess Grace | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 12 | Main Marina & Dike | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Marina & Dike | Self | Free |
| 13 | Food & Craft Market | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Food & Craft Market | Self | Free |
| 14 | Alpine Garden | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Garden | Self | Free |
1. Viewpoint Upper Corniche
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Names
Table d’Orientation de Villefranche-sur-Mer
Plateau Saint-Michel
This viewpoint, located at an altitude of 380 m, is a must-see for its breathtaking views. Perched high above the coastline, it’s the perfect spot to capture panoramic photos of the bay and the distant headlands.
Right next to it is a small park.
2. Old Town
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Old Town
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Vieille Ville
The Old Town is an authentic Mediterranean maze of narrow, winding streets lined with colorful houses and small boutiques, exuding a charming atmosphere that makes it ideal for leisurely strolls.
3. St. Elme Citadel
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Neighborhood + Garden + Museums
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Citadelle Saint-Elme
The citadel, built in the 16th century, is now like a small neighborhood within the town, surrounded by fortifications. It’s a pleasant place for a stroll.
Within the ramparts, you’ll also find a little garden.
There are three museums as well:
- The Volti Museum, mainly dedicated to sculptures.
- The Goetz-Boumeester Museum, showcasing the works of these two painters along with those of other renowned artists.
- The Museum of the City’s Collections, which features a selection of items capturing the town’s artistic and heritage essence.
4. Viewpoint Middle Corniche
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Beldévère de Villefranche-sur-Mer
This viewpoint, located at an altitude of 180m, offers a broad panorama of Villefranche-sur-Mer and its surroundings.
5. Viewpoint Lower Corniche
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
Located at an altitude of 30m, this viewpoint offers a closer look at Villefranche-sur-Mer and its seafront.
6. Seafront
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Seafront
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Quai de l’Amiral Courbet
The seafront is a lively area bordered by pastel-colored facades, lined with restaurants, cafes, and small boutiques, with a few boats right in the small marina in front.
7. Rampart Base Walkway
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Walkway
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
At the foot of the citadel’s ramparts lies a path that runs along the sea, connecting the seafront mentioned just before with the port mentioned below.
8. Beaches
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Beaches
Visit Self
Cost Free or Paid
The town has a main public beach with a paid section, as well as several smaller beaches. They consist of sand and small pebbles.
9. St. Michel Church
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Michel
The church was built in the 18th century on the site of an older one. It is in the Baroque style.
It includes some paintings and other religious artifacts.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
10. St. Pierre Chapel
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Chapel
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Chapelle Saint-Pierre
Chapelle Cocteau
The St. Pierre Chapel, also known as the Cocteau Chapel, dates back to the 16th century and is notable for its colorful and unique façade.
The interior, which requires an entry fee, was decorated by the French artist Jean Cocteau in the 1950s with frescoes depicting the life of St. Peter.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
11. Viewpoint Princess Grace
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Mémorial Princesse Grace
On the side of the road to the south of the town, there is a commemorative plaque honoring Princess Grace of Monaco.
The spot offers a view of the port and the town.
12. Main Marina & Dike
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Marina & Dike
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Names
Port de la Darse
La Darse
The marina, which accommodates various types and sizes of boats, is bordered by a long dyke where you can stroll along.
13. Food & Craft Markets
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Outdoor Food & Craft Markets
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
⚙️ Visitor Info (Town Hall Website – Fr)
The small food market in the town takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at Jardin Binon square.
A craft market is held on Sunday mornings at Jardin Binon square and on Place Amélie Pollonais square.
14. Alpine Garden
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Names
Jardin des Chasseurs
Jardin des Chasseurs Alpins
Located along the edge of a street, this small garden includes a variety of plants, including some that are exotic.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN FRENCH RIVIERA
Things to Do in Bormes-les-Mimosas Village
Things to Do in Gassin Village
Things to Do in Grimaud Village
Things to Do in Port Grimaud Village
Best Things to Do in Monaco Principality
Unusual Things to Do in Monaco Principality
Best Things to Do in Nice City
Unusual Things to Do in Nice City
Things to Do in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Village
Things to Do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Headland
Things to Do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence Village
