Villefranche—Excursion or No?

[Breakfast_at_Taylors]

My mom and I are going on our first trip to Europe this October on a 12-night cruise! We’re two fit, adventurous Americans who love walking, window shopping, and taking pictures of quaint and quirky side streets and alleyways. We perfer smaller, local, village-style experiences to big-city jaunts, though we enjoy both.

 

Our ship will be docked in Villefranche for one day, and we’re debating whether to stay there or visit Nice, Eze, or Saint Paul-De-Vence via an excursion through the cruise line (we’ve had bad experiences with self-planned excursions in the past.)

 

Would you suggest an adventure further afield, or is there enough in Villefranche to keep us going for the day?

 

I’m so looking forward to hearing your suggestions!! Thank you.

[CaribbeanBound]

All those locations can make for a fun day. Here's what we did...

 

Villefrance (Nice), France

Villefrance (Nice) was the only port on this cruise where every ship has to tender. We got in line for the tender about 7:15 am and just missed catching the first boat to shore. Other than the time spent loading the boat, it was a quick 10-15 minute trip to shore. We exited the tender, walked through a small cruise terminal and found ourselves on the street. Citadelle Saint-Elme, a 16th Century fort with museums and gardens, is to your left.

 

We walked around the traffic circle and waited for the #100 or #100X westbound "Nice" bus across the street (Boulevard Charles III) from where the original bus dropped us off. The return trip took just 25 minutes.

 

 

At this point it was about 1:30 pm. We walked down to Citadelle Saint-Elme (Saint Elmo), located literally on the other side of the park where we got off the bus. The entrance faces the cruise terminal. While not an awesome "castle" experience, it's still worth a visit. It hosts 1 large and 3 small museums, nice gardens, statues, great views (including of the ship) and photo opportunities, has public restrooms, and it's free! We spent a leisurely hour exploring the site.

 

 

We intended to go swimming in Villefrance. This is, after all, the French Riviera! They have a great sandy beach here, just in front of the train station, not more than an easy 15 minute walk from the terminal. Had we taken the train we would have also brought our swimsuits and gone swimming upon our return from Monte Carlo. But we didn't, so we explored the town instead.

 

We wandered the narrow streets and climbed many sets of stairs in the main section of Villefrance just above the port. We enjoyed an awesome homemade blackberry gelato (€3,80 for 2 scoops) at Solea. This was easily the best gelato we enjoyed during our entire trip. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

 

Come late afternoon we headed back to the cruise terminal. Finding free wi-fi, we sat down on one of the many public benches when we got through the security checkpoint and spent maybe 30 minutes checking email and sending pictures before boarding the tender to head back to the ship.

 

Info on 28 more cities in the Mediterranean: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/mediterranean-secrets.html

[Breakfast_at_Taylors]

Ooh, that sounds lovely! I’ll have to check out that gelato!!

[marazul]

Villefranche is a lovely, small town, but you would miss out seeing the heart of the Riviera if you don't go elsewhere. For a first timer (who wants to take a ship's excursion), I would recommend Nice and Saint Paul or Nice and Eze. I would take those in preference to Monte Carlo. If you have time at the end, walk a little around Villefranche.

 

If you list the available excursions, you could get some more feedback.

 

If you decide against an excursion, you could walk or take the bus to St. Jean-Cap Ferrat across the water from Villefranche, visit the Villa Ephrussi, walk around the town and then go back to Villefranche and spend some time there.

[Breakfast_at_Taylors]

If you list the available excursions, you could get some more feedback.

There is an excursion that goes to Nice and Eze, and one that goes to Nice and St Paul-de-Vence...which would you suggest?

[marazul]

Nice and St. P.

Sit on the right side of the bus.

Edited July 26, 2018 by marazul

[mskaufman]

We went on an excursion that went to Nice and Eze in the afternoon. This gave us the morning to explore Villefranche.

[cruise kitty]

We took the bus to Nice, visited an open air market, walked up to the outlook point, & then took the bus to Eze, walked all the streets there, visited the garden, & hiked down the Nietzsche trail (spectacular views) there's a bus stop & a cafe when you get to the bottom, had a couple of beers caught the next bus back to Villefranche & relaxed in a cafe, it was a lovely, relaxing day.

[fishman620]

Nice and St. P.

Sit on the right side of the bus.

 

So when I'm facing the front of the bus, I want to sit on the right hand side?....or as I'm loading the bus I want to sit on the right hand side?

[marazul]

Facing the front.

[erby2283]

On 7/25/2018 at 7:14 PM, Kelsie35 said:

My mom and I are going on our first trip to Europe this October on a 12-night cruise! We’re two fit, adventurous Americans who love walking, window shopping, and taking pictures of quaint and quirky side streets and alleyways. We perfer smaller, local, village-style experiences to big-city jaunts, though we enjoy both.

 

Our ship will be docked in Villefranche for one day, and we’re debating whether to stay there or visit Nice, Eze, or Saint Paul-De-Vence via an excursion through the cruise line (we’ve had bad experiences with self-planned excursions in the past.)

 

Would you suggest an adventure further afield, or is there enough in Villefranche to keep us going for the day?

 

I’m so looking forward to hearing your suggestions!! Thank you.

 

I'm curious to know what you decided to do in Nice?

 

On 7/26/2018 at 10:25 AM, marazul said:

Villefranche is a lovely, small town, but you would miss out seeing the heart of the Riviera if you don't go elsewhere. For a first timer (who wants to take a ship's excursion), I would recommend Nice and Saint Paul or Nice and Eze. I would take those in preference to Monte Carlo. If you have time at the end, walk a little around Villefranche.

 

If you list the available excursions, you could get some more feedback.

 

If you decide against an excursion, you could walk or take the bus to St. Jean-Cap Ferrat across the water from Villefranche, visit the Villa Ephrussi, walk around the town and then go back to Villefranche and spend some time there.

 

I don't normally book ship excursions but am looking at the "Nice, Monaco and Eze Discovery" (8.5 hours) tour on my cruise in August. It's about $100 per person and wondering it it's worth the price rather than doing it on our own. Sometimes I feel the security of having the ship transportation and someone telling when to get on and off is worth a little more money. Here's the description of the tour, please let me know what you think for us first time visitors: "Experience the three jewels of the French Riviera: Nice, Eze, and Monaco. Begin with a scenic drive down Nice’s palm-lined beachfront Promenade des Anglais and admire the city’s Baroque architecture and chic boutiques on a guided city walk. Discover Nice’s charming Flower Market or Antiques Market. Then, visit the hilltop village of Eze, perched 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. Stroll along picturesque cobblestone streets and take in the city’s stunning views. Finally, you’ll travel to Monaco to experience the stately grandeur of its old town. Monaco is the second smallest independent state in the world. See the Prince’s Palace, Cathedral, and Oceanographic Museum. Marvel at the jet-setters at the home to the Formula One Grand Prix. Then, journey to the modern glamour of Monaco’s glittering Casino Square and see the Grand Casino of Monte-Carlo, the world-famous luxury casino. "
 

 

[mskaufman]

We did a ship tour to Nice and Eze (Did a DIY of Villefranche) in the morning.  We were happy with the tour and could recommend it (we were on RCL).  In Nice we did a lot of walking (old town, Promenade and the Antiques market).  We also have about an hour of free time. In Eze we broke away from the guide and explored ourselves.  

[marazul]

erby2283-

Because of the logistics involved in getting to Eze (not on the train line), I would recommend the tour to see all three places.  I disagree with the tour description saying that these are "the three jewels of the Riviera."  It should say "three of the jewels of the Riviera."   😉

You might want to check your roll call to see if others are looking to do this on a private tour.  If not, take the ship's tour.

[erby2283]

10 minutes ago, marazul said:

erby2283-

Because of the logistics involved in getting to Eze (not on the train line), I would recommend the tour to see all three places.  I disagree with the tour description saying that these are "the three jewels of the Riviera."  It should say "three of the jewels of the Riviera."   😉

You might want to check your roll call to see if others are looking to do this on a private tour.  If not, take the ship's tour.

 

Thanks - my roll call is non-existent. I am the only one posting. lol

 

1 hour ago, mskaufman said:

We did a ship tour to Nice and Eze (Did a DIY of Villefranche) in the morning.  We were happy with the tour and could recommend it (we were on RCL).  In Nice we did a lot of walking (old town, Promenade and the Antiques market).  We also have about an hour of free time. In Eze we broke away from the guide and explored ourselves.  

So you must have done a half day tour? Thank you for responding and the picture! 🙂

[marazul]

55 minutes ago, erby2283 said:

 

Thanks - my roll call is non-existent. I am the only one posting. lol

 

 

It's early days yet.  Can you book the ship's tour and then cancel it if your roll call comes alive?  

 

You can get to Nice and Monaco by train.  If you want to see Eze or St Paul, you need to be able to navigate buses, rent a car or take an excursion.  But, you would spend so much time in the logistics that it would not be worth your time.  

 

(PS- we just had a lovely time in your town visiting family.)

[mskaufman]

17 hours ago, erby2283 said:

 

Thanks - my roll call is non-existent. I am the only one posting. lol

 

So you must have done a half day tour? Thank you for responding and the picture! 🙂

We did do a half day tour.  Here are links to some of our photos from our day in Villefranche.  We have since done a cruise with a stop in Monaco and did a bus tour to St. Paul that went through Nice.  

 

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/564

 

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/626

 

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/668

 

 

 

 

[BarbinMich]

On 7/25/2018 at 7:14 PM, Kelsie35 said:

My mom and I are going on our first trip to Europe this October on a 12-night cruise! We’re two fit, adventurous Americans who love walking, window shopping, and taking pictures of quaint and quirky side streets and alleyways. We perfer smaller, local, village-style experiences to big-city jaunts, though we enjoy both.

 

Our ship will be docked in Villefranche for one day, and we’re debating whether to stay there or visit Nice, Eze, or Saint Paul-De-Vence via an excursion through the cruise line (we’ve had bad experiences with self-planned excursions in the past.)

 

Would you suggest an adventure further afield, or is there enough in Villefranche to keep us going for the day?

 

I’m so looking forward to hearing your suggestions!! Thank you.

 

We've docked at ports in the vicinity of Villefranche, as well as Villefranche itelf.  We've done excursions that went to Eze (once) and Saint Paul-de-Vence (twice).  The latter a very old city up in the mountains and will nicely fulfill your requirements of "walking, window shopping, and taking pictures of quaint and quirky side streets and alleyways".   The first we were there it was rainy and cool (and miserable); the second time blue skies and sun so more pleasant.  However, I discovered that the lovely patterns in the sidewalks were only visible when wet so a nice day isn't everything!  The last time I did a half-day excursion to SPDV so had time in the morning to wander around Villefranche itself.  It's a lovely old town, as well, complete with a medieval fort to visit.  Also a scenic downtown area with lots of shops and places to eat.  The first time we were in the area we ported at Cannes which is much more modern/boring.  It was from there that I did an excursion to Eze and SPDV. 

Edited November 27, 2018 by BarbinMich

[Hlitner]

I am going to do a very rare thing (for me) and disagree with Marazul.  Specifically regarding the logistics involved in visiting some delightful places such as Eze Village and St Paul de Vence (a personal favorite).   While this might not be an option for the OP (this is all a personal preference) it has been previously pretty easy to rent a car from Locauto.fr for delivery in Villefranche.  I am not sure that Locauto will still be using a Villefranche location next season, but its likely.  With a self-drive car it is quite easy to go to places like Eze and St Paul de Vence.  in fact one itinerary I would suggest is get a car, drive directly to Nice (the Old Town area) where you can enjoy the fabulous Flower Market and perhaps relax with some cafe-au-lait.  Then drive over to St Paul de Vence (about 30 min) where you can spend a few hours walking, browsing shops and galleries, and perhaps enjoy lunch.  You could also drive over the nearby Maeght Fondation which has a world-class modern art collection highlighted by some of the major works of Miro.  Then you head back towards Nice and Monte Carlo...and stop at Eze Village to enjoy that small walled village with its cute shops and fabulous view.  And finally you make the short drive back to Villefranche to drop the car...and spend any remaining time enjoying this port before taking the tender back to your ship.

 

This is not a bad tour and all for the price of a rental car (plus whatever you spend shopping and eating).

 

Hank

[marazul]

28 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I am going to do a very rare thing (for me) and disagree with Marazul. 

 

Actually, I agree with you.  Driving is the way to go. 😁

 

But, the poster, erby2283, has to decide whether is comfortable driving in France and looking for parking in Nice and St Paul.  If she is, we can both be able to give her a few more hints.

 

As for the OP, kelsie35, I thought she preferred an excursion.

[erby2283]

Thank you everyone. I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable on my first trip to rent a car and navigate on my own. And I actually found another tour company who may fit the bill. Just wish my roll call was more active.