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Villefranche: Just as Picturesque as One Could Imagine

We were glad to store our suitcases safely in a locker during the day at the tram station yesterday, but I hated spending €5 on a lame necessity like that. We could have left them for free at the hostel, but those weren't lockers, just unguarded shelves. Sometimes you've got to play it on the safe side. My suitcase is of incredible value to me.

Yesterday we met a friend from back home, Erin, and her friend, Galen, from New York, at the train station. Galen's grandparents are letting us stay at their apartment, which is kind of halfway between the beach and the train station in Nice. The place feels so spacious and comfortable after a hostel!

This is what I ate for dinner last night: one banana and Nutella crêpe, one scoop of strawberry gelato, one scoop of stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate shavings) gelato — so nutritious, right? I'm just living it up here because crêpes and gelato are probably my two most favorite foods and they are found abundantly throughout Nice.

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Yesterday morning we visited the Chagall Museum. I think Chagall is my favorite artist. All his paintings are fascinating with symbolism and a jumble of influences: Christianity, Judaism, Russia and France. I really like Chagall's concept that romantic love between two humans mirrors God's love.

We took the bus all the way to Villefranche for just €1 and it took just 20 minutes. What a beautiful town! I agreed with what Jules said: Most places are not as picturesque as you imagine they might be, but Villefranche is. It really is — with its warm, pastel-colored buildings perched on the hillside, the sandy beaches sprinkled with vacationing French families and the glittering white yachts anchored in the glimmering blue, blue water.

Today we returned to Villefranche with Erin and Galen because we wanted to lie on sandy beaches (not the rocky ones found in Nice). This time we bought cheap towels so we could go swimming. It was hot!! The water was the perfect temperature and very salty, so it was easy to float on your back.

About This Entry

You are reading "Villefranche: Just as Picturesque as One Could Imagine", an entry posted on 15 July 2008 by Jackie Steves.

11 replies to this entry. Add your comment below.

Previous Entry, Making Friends: Not as Easy as I Expected It Would Be, posted Jul 14 2008

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Comments [ top ]

Jackie: My wife and I backpacked through Europe twice recently thanks to all the books and great advice we obtained from your Dad, and we know what you mean about the not so sandy (rocky) beaches at Nice, but the real question is: Did you spot Brad and Angelina?? ...keep on travelin'!!

Posted by: Frank Fisher - Jul 15, 2008 2:27 PM

Wow! I had to Google Villefranch (http://www.europeportreviews.com/Villefranche.htm). What a magnificent place. I'll have to check your Dad's tours to see if it is on the Southern France tour. Happy & safe travels!

Posted by: Audrey in Keizer, OR - Jul 15, 2008 4:00 PM

We enjoyed Stained Glass windows created by Chagall, more than his art work. If you get a chance to visit Cathedrals in Metz and Reims, be sure and see his windows. There were more that we have seen, but right now I can’t remember the locations. While you are in this part of France, I would recommend you get out of Nice, Cannes, and those places, and if you can find a way to get there (we always drove our RV, and those roads are very narrow), please visit Grasse, Tourrette sur Loup and a dozen more of the hill towns near the French Riviera. Eze and Roquebrune are near the coast, and are unmissable!! Peille is perched on the very top of a mountain that looks like a loaf of bread standing on end, with the town like a knit cap on the tip. Of course the coast towns are nice, but for a real joy, visit the hilltop towns. Chagall is buried in Saint-Paul de Vence, and while the town is worth a visit, I don’t know how you could get there. We’ve visited in this area a half dozen times.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jul 15, 2008 6:16 PM

Jackie~ I stayed in Villefranche 2 years ago on one of your Dad's tours... and it was great! The Chagall and Matisse museums, Nice, the cafes, all of it. If you've seen the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels you might recognize the piazza where they were having lunch. Don't miss visiting the Rothschild villa on the cape; it's truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Have fun!

Posted by: Dave - Jul 16, 2008 4:26 AM

Jackie, My husband and I took our first trip to Europe after being inspired by your Dad's PBS show. I have a daughter who is your age and heading to college in the fall. We had planned a mother/daughter trip to Paris but scheduling didn't allow it. Now that I am seeing how much fun you are having I am wishing she would have gone with a friend and left me at home. I am enjoying reading your blog and wish you safe travels.

Posted by: Denise Bosman - Jul 16, 2008 8:22 AM

You can get to St Paul de vence by bus from Cagnes sur mer. Renoir's house and studio is in Cagnes sur mer also, lovely big lawns and shady trees, great place for a picnic with medieval Cagnes on the opposite hilltop.

Posted by: don denette - Jul 16, 2008 9:55 AM

I was in Villefranche in July 2006 on the advice of your dad's guidebook - as part of my France tour - it really is the most beautiful town on the french riviera. Definately one of my fave places in the world. Happy travels and have fun!

Posted by: Canada - Jul 23, 2008 9:34 PM

We were in Villefranche in 06 and it was really nice but a little touristy when the cruise ships were in. Next time go further south to a smaller city called Beaulieu sur mar - no tourists at all, and Cap Ferret where the Ephrussi de Rothchild museum is! Your trip sounds amazing and I hope you are having fun.

Posted by: Jane - Jul 24, 2008 6:43 AM

Wow -- I was in Villefranche like three days after you were there. I was travelling with my family, however, not my best friend like you. We LOVED Villefrance too. Can't wait to read the rest of your blog :)

Posted by: Alex - Jul 31, 2008 10:40 AM

I just rented an apartment and lived in Villefranche my myself for two months and had the most enjoyable experience. Because of the great train system, one can easily be in Nice, Menton, Monaco, and lots of fun places within minutes. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in this part of France so much. After Villefranche, I was in Paris for a month and then Scotland and England for another month. This year has been such fun. Travel has changed my life in countless positive ways as I know it has changed your life too. Happy Travels!

Posted by: Teresa - Oct 10, 2008 2:25 PM

just viewed tv on ricksteves europe. showing villefrance andcote dazure. would like to own that tape.didnt get the numebr to call. please advise,so i can buyit.

Posted by: hank shor - Oct 16, 2009 7:48 PM