Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer, harbour town and Mediterranean resort, Alpes-Maritimes département, Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur région, southeastern France. Situated on the wooded slopes surrounding the magnificent roadsteads immediately east of Nice, the town is dominated by Mount Boron. It is connected by a corniche (cliffside) road with Beaulieu to the east and with Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to the southeast on the scenic Cap Ferrat peninsula, where notable properties include the former Riviera residence of Leopold II, king of the Belgians (reigned 1865–1909).

Villefranche, a picturesque old town, was founded early in the 14th century. Its ancient Saint-Pierre chapel was entirely decorated by the French 20th-century writer and artist Jean Cocteau. The citadel was built in 1560, under the rule of the duke of Savoy. The town overlooks a beautiful roadstead that is well sheltered and is often used by naval and cruise vessels. Tourism dominates the local economy, and there is a yachting harbour and a small fishing port. Pop. (1999) 6,833; (2014 est.) 5,219.