Experience the best of Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer climbs a steep hillside around a deep natural harbour just east of Nice, its ochre and pink houses stacked above the quay. The town was founded in 1295 by the Count of Provence, and the sixteenth-century Citadelle Saint-Elme still guards the water, with the town hall and small museums inside. The Rue Obscure, a vaulted medieval passage running under the houses, is one of the oldest streets in town.

Jean Cocteau decorated the little Chapelle Saint-Pierre on the quay in 1957 with scenes from the life of Saint Peter and the fishermen of the port. The Cap Ferrat peninsula to the south-east holds the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, with its pink walls and terraced gardens, and walking paths around the headland. Monaco, the hill village of Èze and the old town of Nice all lie within a short run along the coast.

Soupe de poissons, salade niçoise, socca chickpea pancakes and fresh sea bream fill the harbour-front menus, with Provençal rosé to drink. A curving beach lies beside the harbour, and the water is calm for swimming. Winters are mild, summers are hot and busy, and spring and autumn are quiet and golden.