Rue Obscure

This narrow medieval passageway stretches 130 meters through the old district, featuring stone archways overhead and ancient walls that create a tunnel-like corridor connecting different parts of the historic center.

Originally constructed in 1260 as part of the city's defensive system, this covered street served as a secure military pathway allowing soldiers to move through the village while remaining protected from enemy observation.

The street gained cinematic fame when Jean Cocteau filmed scenes from 'Le Testament d'Orphée' here in 1959, later serving as a location for 'Les Fourberies de Scapin' in 1981, cementing its place in French cultural heritage.

Visitors can access this monument through several entry points including Place du Conseil, with the best viewing conditions during daylight hours when natural light illuminates the stone architecture and cobblestone surfaces.

Unlike typical streets, this passage was gradually covered by buildings constructed above it over the centuries, transforming what was once an open military route into a mysterious underground thoroughfare that residents used to shelter livestock.

Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer

GPS coordinates: 43.70417,7.31222

Latest update: September 23, 2025 12:28