Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of our favorite villages along the Cote d’Azur. It’s just on the other side of Mont Boron from Nice, making it easily accessible by foot, bus or train. There are plenty of things to do in Villefranche for the entire family.  The picturesque Old Town is well kept and a great spot to wander, shop or grab a bite to eat.

One of the highlights of the village is the bay and beach of Villefranche,  one of the deepest natural harbors of the Mediterranean Sea.   It’s a great spot for kids to swim. I suggest equipping them with a mask and snorkel to experience the local sealife.   Due to the depth, the United States Navy made Villefranche the home port of the U.S.  6th Fleet from 1948 to 1966. Interestingly, the U.S. fleet was recently back in Villefranche to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their departure.

Things to do in Villefranche

 

The Beach – As already mentioned, the beach is great for swimming and other aquatic activities. For instance, you’ll find a ton of paddle boarders out on the water.  It’s perfect for kids as there is a gradual slope from the shore, so kids can easily play in the shallow, calm waters. Another neat feature is the composition of the beach. It’s  made of tiny pebbles, not sand,  so it’s more comfortable than the rockier bottom at Nice beach.

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Perched on a rocky hill in the South of France, situated between Nice and Monaco, is the picturesque village of Eze. Populated around 2000 BC, Eze experienced a turbulent history.  It was occupied by many strongholds including the Romans, Moors & Turks until becoming part of France in 1860.

 

 

The medieval charm of Eze village is evident at every turn, from the winding cobblestone paths to the ancient château ruins. Plan to spend a couple of hours touring the village to take in all its history and beauty.

Walk the narrow streets and browse the quaint shops and art galleries.  However, keep in mind that while the shops are intriguing and the local artistry compelling, the prices are expensive.  Many items caught Lulu’s eye, but the prices were all above her budget.

 

 

During your walk through the village, visit the cemetery, war memorial and lovely Baroque church (Eglise Notre Dame de l’Assomption). The church was undergoing renovations during our visit, but it’s still a charming place to reflect.

 

 

Do NOT skip Le Jardin d’Eze (the gardens) perched at the very top of the village. Not only are the exotic plants a sight to behold, but you will experience incredible 360 degree views of Eze and the Mediterranean. We were able to see all the way to the Nice airport!

We almost didn’t spend the 4€ per adult fee to gain access, but I’m so glad we did. Kids are free, so it was definitely worth the 8€ for the views. *The entrance fee is 6€ in peak seasons.  See the remains of the château walls and gaze at the sparkling waters below. After taking pictures, we sat on the ruins to take in the view and snacked on oranges purchased at the Nice market.

Succulents and cacti line the twisting pathways of the garden. Blending in seamlessly with the landscape are statues, “The Goddesses” by Jean-Philippe Richard.

Don’t miss heading down to the Espaces Contemplatifs (Contemplative spaces) within the Jardin Méditerranéen.  Here you will find over-sized wooden lounge chairs next to a small waterfall with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea and Eze beach.  We sat for 30 minutes, relaxing next to the tranquil sounds of the waterfall and feeling the heat of the sun on the chilly winter afternoon.

Pack a picnic to eat on one of the trails at the base of the village or dine in one of the many restaurants in Eze village.  We visited during the winter, so most of the shops and restaurants were closed for the season.

Another popular destination in Eze is Fragonard or Perfume Factory.  If you are traveling with girls, a tour of the perfume factory might be worth your time. I am sensitive to perfumes, so we opted not to take the tour in case my allergies couldn’t handle it.

With it’s stunning beauty and tranquil setting, it’s no wonder that Eze is a popular destination for honeymooners & tourist alike.

How to get there from Nice:

 

Train From Nice to Eze:

If you arrive by train, you will need to make a steep climb up the Nietzsche Path that will take approximately an hour.  I don’t recommend this with young kids –  some of the path is narrow, there are some steep steps and rocky trails.   Older kids should be fine.  While it won’t be easy with kids, mine would be able to make the hike.  Ensure you have water and comfortable shoes.

We enjoyed the hike & plan to go again, hiking higher than the village.  It was great exersice with lovely views of the hillside and sea.   It took us about 1.5 hours as we stopped for breaks, to chat with our friends, and to to take pictures.

The cost of the train is 3.50€ each way.   You can either hike back down to return by train or catch the bus at the base of the village to return to Nice.

Bus from Nice to Eze:

Bus #100 will drop you off near the train station, down by the water. Again, you will need to walk up the Nietzsche Path.

Bus #82 & #112 will drop you off at the base of the village. It is a bit of a climb up to the village from town but not overly strenuous. This is the closest you can get to the village of Eze by public transportation.  This is also where the public car park is located.  The cost is 1.50€ each way or 10€ for a 10 ticket pass which is valid for both buses and trams.

Please note that the buses do not run frequently.  Take a picture of the schedule, so you know when to be back at the bus stop.  Buses only run about every 2 hours.

If you’re not feeling adventurous, I recommend taking bus #82 to Eze then walking down the Nietzsche Path after you have visited the village. This will allow you to explore the beach area before hopping on bus #100 for a ride back to Nice.

Best time to visit:

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Eze.  The village won’t be overcrowded with tourists, and you will feel like you have the entire place to yourself.  However, most shops, galleries and restaurants close for the season.  If you are interested in shopping and eating in the village, you want to consider visiting another time of year.  Spring or Fall would be perfect for shopping & the flowers will be in full bloom.  Summer would also be lovely, it’s just the busy season.

Have you traveled to Eze, France? Share your Eze travel ideas.

If you have several days in Nice, you may want to consider a visit to Cimiez.