Villefranche-sur-Mer, Coastal commune in French Riviera, France
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a coastal commune on the French Riviera in the Alpes-Maritimes, nestled between Nice and Monaco along the shore of a deep natural bay. The Old Town consists of ochre-colored houses with green shutters clustered along narrow lanes that descend toward the harbor.
Charles II established the settlement as a free port in 1295, granting tax privileges that lasted until the 18th century to provide protection against piracy. The 16th-century citadel was built to defend the bay from seaborne attacks.
The town name translates literally as "free town", referring to the medieval tax exemptions that once drew merchants and sailors from across the Mediterranean. Visitors today can still walk through the covered Rue Obscure, a 13th-century vaulted passageway where residents once took shelter during coastal raids.
The waterfront Old Town is best explored on foot, as the narrow lanes and stairways are not suitable for cars. Visitors heading to the upper levels along the Moyenne Corniche should plan to use stairs or take the bus.
The ancient marina La Darse houses active boat-building workshops in arched buildings and dry docks that have operated continuously for over 600 years. The deep harbor basin reaches 98 meters (320 feet) in depth and is used by large ships and private yachts alike.
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