La Citadelle

Villefranche-sur-Mer


Villefranche's imposing citadel is worth visiting for its impressive architecture. Built by the duke of Savoy between 1554 and 1559 to defend the gulf, its walls today shelter the town hall, well-combed public gardens and several free museums. The Musée Volti displays voluptuous bronzes by Villefranche sculptor Antoniucci Volti; the Musée Goetz-Boumeester features modern art in the citadel's former living quarters; and the Collection Roux comprises several hundred ceramic figurines depicting life in medieval and Renaissance times.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer attractions

1. Musée Volti

0.04 MILES

Displays voluptuous bronzes by Villefranche sculptor Antoniucci Volti (1915–89).

2. Chapelle St-Pierre

0.13 MILES

Villefranche was a favourite of Jean Cocteau (1889–1963), who sought solace here in 1924 after the death of his companion Raymond Radiguet. Several years…

3. Plage de Passable

0.9 MILES

On the peninsula's western side, this part-public, part-private beach is especially popular in late afternoon as a place to watch the sunset.

4. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

0.94 MILES

An over-the-top, belle-époque confection, this villa was commissioned by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild in 1912. She was an avid art collector…

5. Plage des Fourmis

0.97 MILES

Backed by palm trees, this clean, centrally located beach with gentle waves is a quintessential Beaulieu destination.

6. Tennis Club de Beaulieu

1.03 MILES

This prestigious tennis club, founded at the turn of the 20th century, hosts numerous events on its eight clay courts, including a riveting ITF…

7. Villa Grecque Kérylos

1.16 MILES

This magnificent dwelling is a reproduction of a 1st-century Athenian villa, complete with baths, stunning mosaic floors and furniture such as dining…

8. Plage Cros deï Pin

1.3 MILES

At the north end of St-Jean village, just off the trail to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, this was the peninsula's original public beach. It remains popular with…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "france/villefranche-sur-mer/attractions/la-citadelle/a/poi-sig/1229517/1317093",
      "destination": "Villefranche-sur-Mer",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "France",
      "city": "Villefranche-sur-Mer",
      "position": "superzone"
    }