A day in Nice and Villefranche in France

A day in Nice and Villefranche in France. From wide beach promenades to the alleys of the old town, Nice in France is the centre of the French Riviera. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes region, Nice also includes Cannes and Antibes. Join us for a day in Nice and Villefranche in France! Story and photos.

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By boat from Freedom of the Seas

The huge cruise ship Freedom of the Seas cannot dock in Villefranche, but must anchor just outside. They then take the passengers ashore in smaller boats.

Freedom of the seas transfer — Transfer from the Freedom of the Seas and to land

Freedom of the seas Villefranche — Almost on land - looking back at the Freedom of the Seas and other ships

Cosy Villefranche

Villefranche is just outside Nice and is a really nice little harbour town with charming houses and an inviting sandy beach. We wanted to see Nice, so we chose to take the train two stations, which cost us 3,60 euro/person return. If you had wanted to, you could of course also have stayed in this cosy little port city all day and just sunbathed and hung out on cosy outdoor cafes.

Villefranche strand — We regretted not packing swimwear!

A day in Nice

Nice is a grand and beautiful city, and it's hard not to fall at least a little bit in love with the beautiful facades, tall palm trees and beautiful beaches in the centre of the city. An absolute must in Nice is to walk along the Promenade des Anglais (top picture). Other nice places we discovered are Place Massena and Promenade du Paillon.

READ MORE: 3 things to do in Marseille, France
READ MORE: Shopping in Cannes - a quiet day on the French Riviera

Old town of Nice

The old town of Nice is charming with narrow alleys and old houses. Here we visited the market where you can find everything from souvenirs and locally made soaps to fresh fruit and delicacies such as cheese, sausages, olives, honey and nougat. We also sat down at an outdoor restaurant and enjoyed moules frites and a beer.

However, our planned visit to the Palais Lascaris did not take place as it was closed for an unknown reason.

Nice marknad — Honey and mustard at the market in Nice

Moules frites i Nice — A day in Nice is never wrong! Moules frites and a beer - what else?

Back to the cruise ship

At the end of the visit, we took the train back to the two stations and walked around Villefranche for a while, before it was time to go back to all the stations. activities on the Freedom of the Seas.

Boarding Freedom of the Seas — On the way back on board the ship after the day's escapades

Helena

07 September 2017 6:00

France

cruise, metropolis, beaches

Helena

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33 Comments

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Lennart says:

Great pictures!

07 September 2017 - 6:53

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Grateful to take photos here! Very beautiful!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:19
  
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Anna in Dubai says:

Many fond memories of Nice! I studied there for a few months..."studied".... mostly sun and bath and wine I think. And crazy Frenchmen and Italians. But the spirit is nice.
xoxo

07 September 2017 - 7:12

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  Helena says:
  
  Hello! How nice to hear from you Anna! Sounds like pleasant memories from Nice! Hope all is well with you!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:21
  
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LinizTravel says:

Oh so beautiful 🙂 I want to go there 🙂 hope you have a great time! hugs

07 September 2017 - 7:26

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  Helena says:
  
  Nice is a fantastic city!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:21
  
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Evy Knoph says:

Love Nice and the French Riviera! In 2011, I lived in a hostel at Place Mazena..met several wonderful people with whom I went to Villefranche and Monaco :-). One of my most magical concert experiences was when JM Jarre played in Monaco in connection with Prince Albert's wedding.
A Mediterranean cruise is definitely on the bucket list! You look like you're having a great time. September is a great time for the Riviera.

07 September 2017 - 7:26

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  Helena says:
  
  What fun to hear! By the way, I loved Jarre when I was young ? And agree, this is a nice time here with lovely climate!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:23
  
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Mr Steve says:

A very bearable day, judging by the pictures.
Wishing you a continued enjoyable cruise!

PS. I did the French Riviera in the early 70s. Not completely wrong then either.

07 September 2017 - 7:35

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  Helena says:
  
  Haha, yes that's how I can see it! Great that you experienced the Riviera in the 70s!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:23
  
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Veiken says:

It's nice there. We stayed in Villefranche because Nice had been cancelled at another time. Too bad your swimwear was left on board!
There will be more opportunities along the way I think! Keep up the good work1

07 September 2017 - 7:46

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  Helena says:
  
  Villefranche is nice so you can definitely stay there! We had just passed through Nice (on our way to Corsica) and wanted to see the city.
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:35
  
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Monet says:

Great that you are in our neighbourhood. Just the right time of year too, away from the heat and the tourist crowds. Next time - also here in Nice try an original dish: Salade Nicoise.Then you know, just like with bouillabaisse, how the original should taste. What you have on the menu above you in the picture is not bad either - magret de canard with the house foie gras sauce. Most tender duck legs with wonderful sauce. All kinds of fish (and shellfish) are tasty and exciting and are easily prepared on the grill or in a frying pan with delicious accompaniments. Mediterranean food at its best. Accompanied - of course - by the bright, light Provençal rosé wines. This is where you have the chance to try the real originals, not the supermarket rosés or the darker ones from Languedoc. The simple rule is that the lighter the better! Bon Apétit!

07 September 2017 - 8:43

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  Helena says:
  
  Agree that this is a great time on the Riviera. And thanks for another food tip! When we eventually come back, and stay a little longer, we'll be happy to try it!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:40
  
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Ninny says:

Oh, lovely Nice! Longing for the Riviera...and Provence. You look like you are having a great time!

07 September 2017 - 9:11

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  Helena says:
  
  Nice is incredibly nice and also the perfect climate this time of year!
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:53
  
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Ditte says:

How nice to have a day in Nice and a city to return to. I recognised myself in your beautiful pictures. I studied French here x number of years ago and over the years I have returned from time to time. We have a good hotel in the old town where we usually stay, at place Massena. So cosy! There is also so much to see around Nice, but on a day it is enough to just stroll around, eat and soak up the atmosphere.

07 September 2017 - 9:38

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  Helena says:
  
  I imagine there's a lot more to see, but as you say, for one day it's enough just to wander around and discover.
  
  07 September 2017 - 9:54
  
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Anette says:

Nice is really a wonderful city. We go there quite often because our summer house is not far from there, but on the Italian side. Our eldest daughter spent a year studying in Nice, she loved life there.

07 September 2017 - 10:42

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  Helena says:
  
  How wonderful it sounds with a summer house in this area!!! Also great that your daughter liked life in Nice, an incredibly beautiful city!
  
  07 September 2017 - 20:44
  
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Emma, sun like sun? says:

I think I was in Nice when I was a child, you did not think so much then where you were in the same way. Lovely with a whole pot of mussels!

07 September 2017 - 11:08

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  Helena says:
  
  Surely it is different when you have been somewhere as a child! Yep, plenty of (very tasty!) mussels!
  
  07 September 2017 - 17:05
  
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Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Nice must be amazing. Exciting adventure you are on

07 September 2017 - 14:27

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  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it feels like a real adventure actually! 🙂
  
  07 September 2017 - 17:06
  
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Marina says:

We will try to spend a day in Nice when we come down in November. Have never been there "for real" but only seen the airport and train station.

07 September 2017 - 15:46

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  Helena says:
  
  Wonderful! Don't know how it is in November, but it is certainly a milder and more pleasant climate than in Sweden! 🙂
  
  07 September 2017 - 20:45
  
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BP says:

That day was absolutely perfect from start to finish if you say so. Oh nice weather you had too:-)

07 September 2017 - 16:54

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  Helena says:
  
  Indeed! A really nice and successful day! 🙂
  
  07 September 2017 - 17:06
  
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Solan says:

Nice works even in December. For example, it was the winter storage for King V-Gurra... You just have to stay away from the Riviera during August ☺

07 September 2017 - 23:11

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Ama de casa says:

Well, what else... I can tell you that you can actually drink wine with those mussels too 😉 Or why not go for a seafood platter? All these decisions... 😀.

Looks like you like cruising - not so strange because it is a wonderful way to go around and check out different places. A bit like a motorhome, right? You have the home with you - but do not have to drive in narrow alleys 😉.

08 September 2017 - 2:08

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Across the board says:

It's Nice to be in Nice

08 September 2017 - 8:36

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Snows says:

I have visited Nice a couple of times and it was a nice city. I remember that we looked into the Hôtel Negresco but unfortunately it didn't fit our budget...

08 September 2017 - 15:26

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Berit "desires" says:

Fun to read about your adventures and impressions of cruises! Has never attracted me, but you make it MORE interesting?
Was in Nice at the end of November a couple of years ago, very cosy city with beautiful surroundings - and we had about 18 degrees that day! ☀️ Hope you have a good time!

16 September 2017 - 10:10

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A day in Nice and Villefranche in France

By boat from Freedom of the Seas

Cosy Villefranche

A day in Nice

Old town of Nice

Back to the cruise ship

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33 Comments

Lennart says:

Helena says:

Anna in Dubai says:

Helena says:

LinizTravel says:

Helena says:

Evy Knoph says:

Helena says:

Mr Steve says:

Helena says:

Veiken says:

Helena says:

Monet says:

Helena says:

Ninny says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Anette says:

Helena says:

Emma, sun like sun? says:

Helena says:

Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

Helena says:

Marina says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Solan says:

Ama de casa says:

Across the board says:

Snows says:

Berit "desires" says:

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