Villefranche-sur-Mer

In the glitzy world of the Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer offers travelers an easygoing slice of small-town Mediterranean life, while Monaco, Nice, Eze-le-Village, and the Grande Corniche lie within easy reach. Villefranche feels more Italian than French, with pastel-orange buildings; steep, narrow lanes spilling into the sea; and pasta on menus. Luxury yachts glisten in the bay. Cruise ships make regular calls to its deep harbor, creating periodic rush hours of frenetic shoppers and bucket listers. Sand-pebble beaches and a handful of interesting sights keep other visitors just busy enough.