This Sunday, we decided to visit Villefranche-sur-Mer, a town on the coast, very near Nice on the expensive side of the Cote d'Azur. The original village dates back to about 130BC and benetitted from being in a little bay, where the sea floor drops down rapidly from the shore making it an ideal harbour for fishermen. Even as late as the mid-1960s, the US 6th Fleet used it as their home port.

Being perched on a hill, development has been limited and unlike many of the towns and villages along the coast, part of the village has managed to to retain its medieval charm. By car, you drop down from the main coast road onto the sea front, Directly in front of the village is a marina, shops and restaurants while a narrow road takes you around the bay for parking (thank God as otherwise it could only be accessed by trains and bus) and some very nice beaches.

The town has been featured in many films including Captain Horatio Hornblower, To Catch a Thief, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Ronin, and Absoutely Famous - some of my favourite movies.

Being a Sunday, the village hosts a small Brocante (antique market) and even in the slightly coolish weather, business was brisk. We enjoyed an Italian lunch by the sea and a nice walk along the sea front. A very charming town.

(Click on photos for larger size and full aspect)