Villefranche

[Ugaaucruisers]

We will be tendering in Villefranche next month. In what area of the harbor does Celebrity tender?  Are cabs generally available at the port?  Anyone know what it would cost to take a cab from Ville to Old Nice?  Is the bus station close to the port?

Thank you in advance.

Laura

 

 

[Hlitner]

10 hours ago, Ugaaucruisers said:

We will be tendering in Villefranche next month. In what area of the harbor does Celebrity tender?  Are cabs generally available at the port?  Anyone know what it would cost to take a cab from Ville to Old Nice?  Is the bus station close to the port?

Thank you in advance.

Laura

 

 

 

There is a small port/pier area towards the left of the town, and that is where you will be dropped by your tender.  From that spot, the entire town of Villefranche is within walking distance.  There will be some taxis (first come first serve), but I am not sure of their fare to Nice (Old Town).  It should be no more than 10 Euros per person, but taxis in France have been known to rip off cruisers.   There are also regional buses and the train station, either of which can get you into Nice.  The bus or train should be about 2 Euros.  Once in Nice, they now have a decent streetcar/tram system to get around town, for folks that do not want to walk or grab a taxi.  Speaking of old town, keep in mind that the Flower Market (do not miss this) is primarily a morning market and starts to wind down shortly after noon.  We always suggest making the Flower Market the first stop.

 

Hank

[Ugaaucruisers]

Thanks so much.  We plan on heading out early by train and walking around Nice and Old Town and will not miss the Flower Market.  It sounds wonderful.

Thank, again.

[Hlitner]

On 6/28/2024 at 9:01 AM, Ugaaucruisers said:

Thanks so much.  We plan on heading out early by train and walking around Nice and Old Town and will not miss the Flower Market.  It sounds wonderful.

Thank, again.

Keep in mind that the train station is quite a hike from old town and the Flower Market.  I am not very familiar with the relatively new tram routes, but you should be able to take the tram (they are very nice/modern rail cars) from the train station to one of the stops close to old town).

 

Hank

[Ugaaucruisers]

We are good walkers, but whaat is the distance?

[Hlitner]

15 minutes ago, Ugaaucruisers said:

We are good walkers, but whaat is the distance?

About 1 mile and not an issue for walkers.  We are used to helping cruisers who think walking from one end of the ship to the other is too long and a single flight of stairs is for others.

 

Hank

[pj-atsea]

Just a word of caution, there are pickpockets who hang around the station in Villefranche. The locals will likely warn you, if they see them hanging about.  They almost got me last year. Opened my back pack right open and i didnt feel a thing, My daughter noticed and they backed off and left.  They just looked like young schoolgirls.   I know it happens everywhere but just be cautious.

[GreenFamily]

Villefranche is small but has a lot of hidden gems, like the little fisherman’s chapel called La Chapelle Saint - Pierre Cocteau that is worth 4 euros to see the chalk drawings up close.So gorgeous! Rue Obscure is worth a peek. From there you will find a sloped hill to the train station, if you prefer to skip the steep stairs. The train is cheap and easy to travel to Monaco or even Menton, the most beautiful town on the French Riviera in my opinion. Get off at the second Menton train station near the pier for a fabulous flat walk and view. You will need to purchase tickets from a ticket machine in Villefranche although it might be possible to do it online if you have an android phone on the SNCF website. The trains are hop on hop off and are good for a full day. The Villeftanche tourist office can help you. Re train service in the summer: The trains get very crowded at rush hour going into and out of Monaco. So give yourself extra time.

 

Finally, we had a great meal at La Grignotiere in Villefranche.

 

 

Edited July 8 by GreenFamily

[buchhalm]

The train from Villefrance to/from Nice (or Monte Carlo, in the other direction) runs frequently and is cheap as frittes. It's a bit of a hike up the hill/stairs from the water front.

Buy tickets from the vending machine at the station. I believe there are English instructions on the machines. Don't get on the train without a ticket. The controllers can spot tourists from the other end of the train and are ruthless! Steep fines for "fare avoiders "!

 

Villefrance has a lovely beach, about a 10 minute walk from the place where the tender drops you. Walk, with the sea on your right.

 

The restaurants along the waterfront are pretty good, and a lot cheaper than those in Monaco or Nice.

Last time we had a huge pot of mussels with triple-cooked frittes for something like €15 and a carafe of white wine for next to nix.