Villefranche car rental
Apr 16th, 2007, 12:20 PM
#1
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Villefranche car rental
Hello...my husband and I will be visiting Villefranche in October and while I understand that there is very good public transportation, I was told that if you want to explore some of the back villages, you should have a car. Does anyone know if we can rent one in Villefranche or would we have to rent in Nice? Thanks very much.
Apr 17th, 2007, 01:08 PM
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Hi mikster,
I do not believe there is a car rental place in Villefranche. You do not have to go to Nice however. The town next to Villefranche, Beaulieu has 2 car rentals, Avis and Hertz, I think. We have stayed in Villefranche often and are returning this summer. We have rented a car in Nice before and that can be difficult. It is much easier to walk to Beaulieu (about 15 minutes depending upon where you're are staying in Villefranche), or you can take the train to Beaulieu and rent the car there. The Avis is near the train station and the Hertz, I think that's what it was or perhaps Eurocar, is along the main street along the water. Either way it is much easier than going to Nice. You can probably check the websites for the agencies and look for the town of Beaulieu for pick up location. Bus and train service in Villefranche are great. This time we will be there for a month and are not renting a car. There are now more buses going into the countryside from Nice.
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have. I am not an expert, but Villefranche is my favorite place and we have spent a bit of time there over the years. Have a wonderful trip! You may also just keep this post going if you prefer.
I do not believe there is a car rental place in Villefranche. You do not have to go to Nice however. The town next to Villefranche, Beaulieu has 2 car rentals, Avis and Hertz, I think. We have stayed in Villefranche often and are returning this summer. We have rented a car in Nice before and that can be difficult. It is much easier to walk to Beaulieu (about 15 minutes depending upon where you're are staying in Villefranche), or you can take the train to Beaulieu and rent the car there. The Avis is near the train station and the Hertz, I think that's what it was or perhaps Eurocar, is along the main street along the water. Either way it is much easier than going to Nice. You can probably check the websites for the agencies and look for the town of Beaulieu for pick up location. Bus and train service in Villefranche are great. This time we will be there for a month and are not renting a car. There are now more buses going into the countryside from Nice.
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have. I am not an expert, but Villefranche is my favorite place and we have spent a bit of time there over the years. Have a wonderful trip! You may also just keep this post going if you prefer.
Apr 18th, 2007, 11:37 AM
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Thank you so much for your advice. I would love to know about any restaurant recommendations that you might have in Villefranche and what surrounding areas/villages you find the most interesting and charming. We have never been to Villefranche and so far it sounds like we made an excellent choice.
Apr 18th, 2007, 04:17 PM
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Hi mikster,
I am happy I am able to help. Restaurants are very subjective. Depends on what type of food you like. There is a great pizza place called Cafe de Artiste. It is very informal, they have more than just pizza and you sit outside. I love this place. There is also another restaurant called Au Clair Obscure on Rue Obscure that has very good food, a bit more upscale. Most of the restaurants are good.
How long will you be in Villefranche and where are you staying? The town right next to Villefranche and Beaulieu is St. Jean Cap Ferrat. It is a beautiful town and within easy walking distance. There is a pathway long the sea that overlooks the coast and the beautiful homes. It is a lovely afternoon, IMO. Also there is the Musee Ile de France which is a villa built by the Baron Rothschild in Cap Ferrat. They museum is okay, but the grounds are fabulous. There is much to do and see in the area depending on how much time you have. Of course, Monaco is easily accessible by train as well as Cannes and the village of Eze built in the Middle Ages atop the hills. It really just depends on how much time you have.
Please let me know if I can help any further. I am sure you will have a wonderful time no matter what you do!
I am happy I am able to help. Restaurants are very subjective. Depends on what type of food you like. There is a great pizza place called Cafe de Artiste. It is very informal, they have more than just pizza and you sit outside. I love this place. There is also another restaurant called Au Clair Obscure on Rue Obscure that has very good food, a bit more upscale. Most of the restaurants are good.
How long will you be in Villefranche and where are you staying? The town right next to Villefranche and Beaulieu is St. Jean Cap Ferrat. It is a beautiful town and within easy walking distance. There is a pathway long the sea that overlooks the coast and the beautiful homes. It is a lovely afternoon, IMO. Also there is the Musee Ile de France which is a villa built by the Baron Rothschild in Cap Ferrat. They museum is okay, but the grounds are fabulous. There is much to do and see in the area depending on how much time you have. Of course, Monaco is easily accessible by train as well as Cannes and the village of Eze built in the Middle Ages atop the hills. It really just depends on how much time you have.
Please let me know if I can help any further. I am sure you will have a wonderful time no matter what you do!
Apr 20th, 2007, 11:53 AM
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Thank you so much. We will have four full days. We are going to Nice on the fifth day in the morning and will have a full day there and one night. We will also have a car for one day and do plan a visit to Eze. In terms of restaurants our tastes run the gaumut, with a prefernce toward charming atmosphere and laid back feel. We live in Manhattan and so we are not as interested in "upscale" as we are in cozy and friendly. We are staying at Hotel Welcome which I have heard wonderful things about. Thank you again.
Apr 21st, 2007, 08:40 AM
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Good afternoon mikster,
I think you will find the restaurant Au Clair obscure exactly what you are looking for, charming and laid back. Actually all of Villefranche is laid back and charming. The pizza place is just very informal and casual, as I mentioned. I have always found all of the residents of Villefranche to be friendly and welcoming. The owner of the pizza place, Cafe de Artiste, is a man named Jean Pierre. He speaks very little English, but always makes us feel at home. There are really no "dressy" restaurants, as I recall. There are many restaurants along the harbor that cater to the tourists. There is also a great place for mussels right next to the internet cafe, right behind the Hotel Welcome where you are staying. The mussels are fabulous. I am sure you will have a wonderful time!
I think you will find the restaurant Au Clair obscure exactly what you are looking for, charming and laid back. Actually all of Villefranche is laid back and charming. The pizza place is just very informal and casual, as I mentioned. I have always found all of the residents of Villefranche to be friendly and welcoming. The owner of the pizza place, Cafe de Artiste, is a man named Jean Pierre. He speaks very little English, but always makes us feel at home. There are really no "dressy" restaurants, as I recall. There are many restaurants along the harbor that cater to the tourists. There is also a great place for mussels right next to the internet cafe, right behind the Hotel Welcome where you are staying. The mussels are fabulous. I am sure you will have a wonderful time!
