qualicum2

We have the option of renting a lovely apt. on Boulevard du Mont Boron in the Melisande area of Nice for two weeks. For $200 more, we can rent a similar apt. in Villefranche. We are budget travellers so would usually select the cheaper option. We are visiting with our 12 year old son and will not be renting a car. The train station is a 3 km. walk compared to closeby in the Villefranche rental. Is it worth the extra money to stay in Villefranche and be closer to the train station? We are hoping to take lots of train rides into Italy.

Are groceries about the same price in Nice as in Villefranche?
Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated as we have to book fairly soon.

Thanks so much!

PalenQ

I think the beach must also be much more readily accessible from a Villefranche dig - something you and your son may like.

As for groceries you could always hop the train to nice for a euro or so and right behind the Nice Ville station is a large supermarket with prices probably as low as any around... if Villefrance didn't have such a store which it probably does.

surfmom

The two are very different --

Nice is a city - I don't know the specific area that you refer to, but when I was a student there, we took the buses quite a bit. It is touristy but also gritty in places and 'real'. Does a 3km walk bother you ? (that is only 1/2 mile -- really not far to walk)

Villefranche is a small town - much more catering to tourists. We stayed there 2 years ago and loved sitting on our balcony enjoying the harbor. You would really 'know' Villefranche much better at the end of your trip, I would imagine.

I don't know if there are any express trains which depart from Nice Ville and go direct to Italy without stopping at the small towns along the way. If there are, then that would be a consideration.

What is your preference for travel style ? Part of the 'big city' or the calm and peace of the 'small town' ?

Are the apartments exactly the same ? Are there any considerations there ?

PalenQ

While fast trains probably would not stop at Villefranche you would take the frequent locals either back to Nice or onward to Monaco where they would stop.

Villefranche seems like a dream place the times i've been there.

RonZ

Pull up a train schedule Nice to Menton and you can get all of the stops:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

julies

Nice is a big city as already mentioned. Villefrance is much more intimate. I can see letting your 12 year old roam on his own in Villefranche whereas I cound't picture that in Nice. We are budget travellers too and opted for Villefranche.

TimS

Walking distance to a train station need not be a factor in your decision. Your apartment on blvd du Mont Boron would be a very short distance from the Nice-Riquiers train station. After leaving the Nice Ville station, regional trains stop at Nice-Riquiers enroute to points east (like Villefranche, Monaco, and Ventimiglia).

qualicum2

I am overwhelmed by the quick response as this was my first post ever! Funny thing is that we are visiting in March and didn't even think of spending any time on the beach. We live on Vancouver Island near the beach so when we travel, we tend not to spend any time on the beach.

What I am taking away from the replies is that Boulevard du Mont Boron is quite a busy area. I thought perhaps being that it was only 3 km. away from Villefranche, that it perhaps was a quieter area of Nice.

3 km. is actually two miles. I always walk 6 km. daily at home, but on holiday we would want to use most of our energy walking at our destination point.

Thanks again! I still am a little confused lol!

dena

Hi qualicum,

It really depends on whether or not you prefer to stay in a small town or a large city. For me, a small town is more desirable. Trains and buses are easily accessible in both Nice and Villefranche. My family and I just returned last week from 1 month in Villefranche, so I am a bit biased, I love the place. We went to Nice a couple of times, but I am not a huge fan. As far as groceries, yes, they are more expensive in Villefranche, however, there is a Champion grocery store in between both cities on the lower Corniche and it is easy to get to by bus. I believe they also deliver. If you would like any more info, please don't hesitate to ask. I am sure you will have a wonderful time,wherever you decide to stay!

qualicum2

Thanks everyone for your ideas and responses. We have just booked our apt. in Villefranche rather than Nice.
Thanks again. Any extra info about Villefranche is always appreciated!!!

marthag

Dena....I spent five days in Villefranche this past May and would love to return for a month. Have you posted a trip report about your recent stay in Villefranche? Can you tell us a bit about your experiences as a temporary resident?

dena

Hi sandy, its me, dena again, I just thought I would reply to marthag's inquiry.
Actually, no marthag I did not post a trip report, but I am happy to share a bit about our month in Villefranche. We stayed at a privately owned apartment in Pierre & Vacances. We were familiar with the property as we stayed there 5 years ago as well. It was my husband and myself and our 17 year old daughter and her girlfriend, 18 years old. We had a wonderful time, we did a little sight seeing to Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, Monaco, Nice and Cannes. We also went to Ventimiglia at the suggestion of a friend we met who bartends at Chez Internet. They have a wonderful, reasonably priced food market in Ventimigila. Daily we went to the beach or the pool at the Pierre & Vacances property which was lovely. We met a lot of fun people, some of whom we already knew, as we have been returning to Villefranche for several years now. In the evenings we had dinner in the old town or my husband cooked at the apartment. He is a wonderful cook and I realize how lucky I am! We shopped for groceries in Beaulieu at the Marche U, which was reasonably priced. It was a fantastic, relaxing vacation and it has convinced my husband that we must return twice yearly for a least a month to this wonderful town.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I hope you enjoyed your time there as well. I would love to hear about your experience. Villefranche is a very special place!

SeaUrchin

dena, is the apartment down by the waterfront or in the higher city? I have been looking for a place to rent in Villefranche, thanks.

dena

Hi seaurchin, the Pierre & Vacances property is very close to Pont St. Jean, if you are familiar with the area. It is actually closer to Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat, though it is in Villefranche. It is across from the Best Western Bahia Vista, I believe it is called. It is not in the hills, but just about 3 to 5 minutes down the stairs behind the property to the beach. I hope that helps. If you check the www.villefranche-sur-mer.com website, that may help with the location.

SeaUrchin

Thank you. I have stayed on Cap Ferrat but I thought I would like a different location next time. That hotel looks lovely too. Oh, I wish I were there right now! Maybe I will look for an apartment in the complex you mentioned, thanks again.

gabriele

Seaurchin -- Later this summer, I am renting the Artist's Atelier apartment which is found at rivieraexperience.com. I understand from the owner, who lives in the area and is English, that the apartments are all recent renovations -- taken down to the walls and rebuilt. The location and certainly some of the views are wonderful. Hope it ends up being as gorgeous as the photos depict!

SeaUrchin

gabriele, my goodness!! Thank you!!

The Artists Atelier apartment is looking right at the villa I rented on the Cap.

Let us know when you get back. Oh, I hope it is as wonderful as it looks.