Villefranche-sur-Mer

In the glitzy world of the Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer offers travelers an easygoing slice of small-town Mediterranean life, while Monaco, Nice, Eze-le-Village, and the Grande Corniche lie within easy reach. Villefranche feels more Italian than French — pastel orange buildings line steep, narrow lanes that spill into the sea, and linguine is on most menus. Luxury yachts glisten in the bay, while cruise ships make regular calls to its deep harbor, creating periodic rush hours of shoppers and bucket-listers. Sand-pebble beaches and a handful of interesting sights keep other visitors just busy enough.