Villefranche-sur-Mer holiday apartment. Beautiful, luxury 14th century apartment – Villefranche-sur-mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer: The picturesque village and port of Villefranche-sur-Mer nestles idyllically in an amphitheatre of wooded slopes and rocky outcrops on one of the Riviera’s most seductive bays, between Cap Ferrat and Mont Boron, only 3 miles (5 km) from Nice and 8 miles (13 km) from Monaco. Probably first inhabited by prehistoric man, later settled by Greeks and Romans, the present town, founded in 1295, enjoyed a long period of commercial independence from the 14th century, due in part to its deep harbour. Villefranche remains a charming anchorage for the yachts of the rich and famous residing in Saint Jean-Cap Ferrat. Despite its proximity to Nice, Villefranche is an exclusive world apart, perfect as a film set and a pleasant spot to explore. The 16th century Saint Elme Citadelle guarding the harbour side and the old town was built by Emmanuel Phillibert Duke of Savoy on the site of an earlier fort under Sardinian rule.

Villefranche-sur-Mer continued: Behind the pastel-coloured terraces edging the yacht-filled waterfront, the main street, Rue du Poilu, opens quaintly into the lattice of narrow cobbled alleyways, some stepped, some vaulted, that makes up the atmospheric old quarter, leading to 14th century Chapelle St Pierre. The small vaulted chapel, which was then used as a store for fishing nets, was restored in 1957 by the famous writer and artist Jean Cocteau who painted it with frescoes of St Peter’s life as well as local scenes. In contrast, the 18th century Italian Baroque Church of St Michael contains an impressively simple crucifix carved from the trunk of a fig tree by an unknown convict. The old village shelters narrow roads and stair-ways with the most evocative names, Rue Obscure, Rue du Poilu. Jean Cocteau, a native of the area, liked to come to Villefranche where he made friends with the fishermen to whom he dedicated his re-decoration of the Chapelle Saint-Pierre... a site not to be missed.

Cote d'Azur: The Cote D'Azur or Blue coast is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. It has a Mediterranean climate which means the winters are pleasant and mild, while the summers warm without humidity and extreme aridity. The French Riveria has long been associated with style and glamour. Who has not heard of St. Tropez, the Cannes Film Festival or the Monaco Grand Prix? Film stars and the rich and famous have always flocked to this coast to soak up the pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings. The sea is warm for summer bathing and other watersports, while there is an array of places of cultural interest and a host of restaurants providing French and Italian cuisine. Skiing is possible in Auron in winter, only an hour and a halfs drive away, while it is possible to tour the lavender fields and pretty provencal villages located further inland.

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