Villefranche-sur-Mer

▪ France

      harbour town and Mediterranean resort, Alpes-Maritimes département, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région, southeastern France. Situated on the wooded slopes surrounding the magnificent roadsteads immediately east of Nice, the town is dominated by Mount Boron. It is connected by a corniche (cliffside) road with Beaulieu to the east and with Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to the southeast on the scenic Cape Ferrat peninsula, where notable properties include the former Riviera residence of Leopold II, king of the Belgians (reigned 1865–1909).

      Villefranche, a picturesque old town, was founded early in the 14th century. Its ancient Saint-Pierre chapel was entirely decorated by the French 20th-century writer and artist Jean Cocteau (Cocteau, Jean). The citadel was built in 1560, under the rule of the Duke of Savoy. The town overlooks a beautiful roadstead that is well sheltered and is often used by naval and cruise vessels. Tourism dominates the local economy, and there is a yachting harbour and a small fishing port. Pop. (1999) 6,833; (2005 est.) 6,649.

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