Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

Villefranche-sur-Mer has been a popular port of call in the French Riviera for cruise ships since the 1980’s. This former Russian Navy Base is a fishing port in the Alpes-Maritimes department of Cote d’Azur, near the French border of Italy, approximately 6 kilometers from Nice. Rich in history, this picturesque tax-free town is filled with colorful villas on hillsides, truly reminiscent of Italian architecture. Great for strolling and hiking, this amazing destination will provide a true feel of the Mediterranean lifestyle, and many wealthy individuals have decided to retire here.

The citadel that overlooks the seaside town, Citadella Saint-Elme, has three museums that are free to enter. The historic monument hosts movie nights, concerts, and a wide variety of other local events, and also serves as the town’s City Hall, which was inaugurated in March of 1981. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is also a nearby tourist attraction filled with antique furniture and art, with nine beautiful gardens surrounding the historical place. Dubbed as a part of the “Notable Gardens of France”, there is a rose, stone, Florentine, Spanish, French formal, exotic, Japanese, Provençal and a garden de Sèvres. Every year, The Painters’ Day and Opera Azuriales events are held here as well.

Many tourists enjoy snorkeling in the clear, sapphire sea. The beach is jellyfish free, and cobblestone covers the area, so it is advised to keep this in mind when choosing footwear for the day. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a port SeaDream visits on some voyages that also travel to Monte Carlo, Nice, and Saint-Tropez, and is truly an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the Watersports Marina, inclusive in your voyage fare.