Villefranche-sur-Mer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Vilafranca de Mar (Occitan)
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A view of the harbour at Villefranche-sur-Mer
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 Villefranche-sur-Mer
Location in France
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Location in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
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| Country | France | |
| Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | |
| Department | Alpes-Maritimes | |
| Arrondissement | Nice | |
| Canton | Beausoleil | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur | |
| Area
1
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4.88 km2 (1.88 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2021)
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4,989 | |
| • Density | 1,022.3/km2 (2,647.8/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| INSEE/Postal code |
06159 /06230
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| Elevation | 0–575 m (0–1,886 ft) | |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | ||
Villefranche-sur-Mer is a beautiful resort town located on the French Riviera in France. It is found in the Alpes-Maritimes area, very close to the city of Nice and not far from the country of Monaco. This town is famous for its stunning views and one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean Sea.
Contents
Geography of Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is right next to Nice, nestled between hills like Mont Boron and Mont Vinaigrier. It's about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southwest of Monaco.
Deepest Natural Harbor
The bay of Villefranche is one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean Sea. This means it's a very safe place for large ships to anchor, even when strong winds blow from the east. The bay reaches depths of about 98 meters (320 feet) near the coast. Further out, it drops to a huge underwater canyon, about 518 meters (1,700 feet) deep. Because of its depth, the United States Sixth Fleet used to dock here often. Today, it's a popular spot for large cruise ships.
Hills and Roads
The town stretches from sea level up into the hills, reaching an altitude of 577 meters (1,893 feet) at Mont-Leuze. Three main roads, called Corniches, run through the area. The Basse Corniche is closest to the sea, with the Moyenne Corniche and Haute Corniche higher up.
History of Villefranche-sur-Mer
People have lived in the area around Villefranche since ancient times. Early tribes built farms on the hills. The Greeks and later the Romans used the natural harbor as a stop for their ships.
A "Free Port" is Born
In 1295, Charles II of Naples, who was the Count of Provence, invited people to move closer to the coast. He wanted to protect the area from pirates. He made Villefranche a "free port," which meant people and ships had special tax benefits. This is how the town got its name, "Villefranche," meaning "free town."
Changing Hands Over Centuries
For about 400 years, the area was often fought over. It became part of the Duchy of Savoy in 1388. This meant it was sometimes allied with the Holy Roman Empire and sometimes with France.
In 1543, French and Turkish armies attacked and took over the city. This led the Duke of Savoy, Emmanuel Philibert, to build a strong citadel and a fort on Mont Alban to protect the town. The area went back and forth between French and Savoy rule several times.
Part of France Today
In 1860, after a vote by the people, Villefranche and the surrounding region officially became part of France.
In the late 1800s, Villefranche became an important base for the Imperial Russian Navy. The Russians even set up an oceanographic laboratory there. The town also became a popular winter home for royalty and wealthy visitors.
Since World War I, the United States Navy has visited often. Villefranche was the home port for the U.S. 6th Fleet from 1948 to 1966. Today, it is the most visited cruise ship port in France.
Population of Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is now part of the larger Urban community of Nice Côte d'Azur. This means it's considered a suburb of the Nice area. The number of people living here has gone down a bit in recent years. This is partly because homes are expensive, and more people own vacation homes here.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1968 | 6,790 | — |
| 1975 | 7,200 | +0.84% |
| 1982 | 7,363 | +0.32% |
| 1990 | 8,080 | +1.17% |
| 1999 | 6,833 | −1.85% |
| 2007 | 6,662 | −0.32% |
| 2012 | 5,443 | −3.96% |
| 2017 | 5,091 | −1.33% |
| Source: INSEE | ||
Economy of Villefranche-sur-Mer
The main activity in Villefranche-sur-Mer is tourism. Many people work in hotels and restaurants. Old activities like fishing are now less common. Instead, people enjoy sea-related activities like sailing and deep-sea diving. Some boat repair work still happens at the harbor of "la Darse."
Places of Interest in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Churches and Chapels
- Église Saint-Michel (Saint Michael's Church): This church in the old town was built in the 1750s in the Italian baroque style. It has beautiful artworks, including a large painting of Saint Michael. The organ inside, built in 1790, is one of the oldest still working in the area.
- The Chapelle Saint-Pierre (Saint Peter's Chapel): This chapel is from the 1500s. It was once used to store fishing nets. In 1957, artist Jean Cocteau painted famous murals inside, showing the life of Saint Peter and local fishermen.
Public Collections
- The Figures, Delta Book by Gabriel Méxène: This unique artwork, created in 2015, is made of eight engraved, gilded, and painted stones. It is part of the collections at the citadel museums. The Delta Book is also known as the "Dragon Book of Piedmont-Savoy."
Other Public Buildings
- The old harbor of la Darse: This harbor dates back to the 1600s. It was first built for the ships of the Duke of Savoy. Today, it's a marina for yachts and has boat repair services. It's also home to an important oceanographic observatory. This observatory has three laboratories and many scientists who study the ocean.
- The Citadel: Built in 1557, this strong fortress now holds the Town Hall, a convention center, three museums, and an outdoor theater.
- The Rue Obscure or “Dark Street”: This is a cool, covered passageway under the houses along the harbor. It was built way back in 1260!
- The Villa Léopolda: This grand house on the hills was once owned by King Leopold II of Belgium. It has been called one of the most expensive houses in the world.
Public Beaches
- Plage des Marinières: This is the main beach in Villefranche. It's about 700 meters (0.43 miles) long and runs along the railway line.
- Plage de la Darse: This is a smaller beach made of pebbles. It's located behind the main pier of the La Darse harbor.
Villefranche-sur-Mer in Media
The old town and bay of Villefranche have been a popular setting for many movies and TV shows. Here are a few famous ones:
- To Catch a Thief by Alfred Hitchcock
- An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant
- Never Say Never Again with Sean Connery (a James Bond movie)
- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin
- Ronin with Robert De Niro
- Riviera (a TV series)
The buildings along the harbor even inspired the film set for the Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular at Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World.
Also, the famous band The Rolling Stones recorded their 1972 album Exile on Main St. at a mansion called Nellcôte in Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Sister Cities
Villefranche-sur-Mer has friendly connections with several cities around the world:
- Bordighera,
Italy - Cape Coral, Florida,
United States - Nieuwpoort,
Belgium - Plan-les-Ouates,
Switzerland - Reiskirchen,
Germany
See also
In Spanish: Villefranche-sur-Mer para niños
