Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tourist Information
The main TI is in the park named Jardin François Binon, below the main bus stop, labeled
Octroi
(mid-June-mid-Sept daily 9:00-18:00; mid-Sept-mid-June Mon-Sat 9:00-12:00 &
14:00-17:00, closed Sun; 20-minute walk or €10 taxi ride from train station, tel. 04 93
01 73 68,
www.villefranche-sur-mer.com
)
. Pick up regional bus schedules here (buses
#80, #81, #82, #83, #100, #112, and #114). Also ask for the brochure detailing a self-
guided walking tour of Villefranche-sur-Mer and information on boat rides (usually mid-
June-Sept). A smaller TI is onthe port (mid-May-mid-Sept Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun
10:00-16:00, closed off-season).
Arrival in Villefranche-sur-Mer
By Bus:
Whether you've taken bus #100 or #81 from Nice, or bus #100 from Monaco,
hop off at the Octroi stop, at the Jardin François Binon, just above the TI. To reach the old
town, walk past the TI down Avenue Général de Gaulle, take the first stairway on the left,
then make a right at the street's end.
By Train:
Not all trains stop in Villefranche-sur-Mer (you may need to transfer to
a local train in Nice or Monaco). Villefranche-sur-Mer's train station is a 15-minute walk
along the water from the old town and many of my recommended hotels. Find your way
downtowardthewater,andturnrighttowalkintotown.Taxistomylistedhotelscost€15,
buttheydon'twaithere,andtheypreferlongertrips—call instead,and—ifyoudon'thave
amobilephone—praythatthepayphoneoutsidethestationisworking(fortaxitelephone
numbers, see the next page).
By Car:
FromNice'sport,followsignsfor
Menton,Monaco,
and
BasseCorniche.
In
Villefranche-sur-Mer, turn right at the TI (first signal after Hôtel la Flore) for parking and
hotels. For a quick visit to the TI, park at the pay lot just below the TI. A bit farther down,
you may find free parking in the small lot off Avenue Verdun; otherwise, look elsewhere
and pay the meter. There's a secure pay lot on the water across from Hôtel Welcome, and
some hotels have their own parking.
By Plane:
Allow an hour from Nice's airport to Villefranche-sur-Mer (for details on
By Cruise Ship:
Forinformationonarrivalbycruiseship,see“Villefranche-sur-Mer