I'm heading to France in late July and I'm thinking about staying in Villefrance for a few nights. Has anyone ever stayed there? <BR><BR>Hotel recommendations?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Rod

I stayed at Hotel Welcome in Villefranche a few years ago. Nothing spectacular, but clean and right in the middle of things. I think the tariff was about $145 US. I love Villefranche. Much quieter than Nice and still accessible to everything by train.

Hotel Welcome and is in the middle of the "old" area. If a problem suggest you try Hotel Frisia in Beaulieu sur Mer, right next door to VilleFrance sur Mer. In fact just the other day we walked over from the Frisia. Bus stops right in front of hotel which can take you right into Nice and the train station (Nice 7 minutes)is about a 5 minute walk.

Try typing in Villefranche or Hotel Welcome in the Text Search space under<BR>the France heading. You will get some recent comments about both the town (just came back and loved it) and the Hotel Welcome - right at the harbor where all the action is.

We did not stay in Villefranche, but since we returned from Spring Break in Nice, I've been recommending such towns as Antibes and Villefranche (Beaulieu is certainly good!)as better choices. Antibes is close to Cannes; Villefranche is close to Nice. Their proximity means that they offer almost all advantages of the "big city" and almost none of the disadvantages. Both can piggyback on their big sibling's rail and bus service. Both are big enough to have some historic significance, decent hotels and good restaurants. Both are small enough to avoid big city riffraff. That train line along the coast is fantastic--you would be smart to take advantage of its pluses.

We stayed there for 4 nights this past Feb. I second what everyone else says about the charm and convenience of the town. I'd pick it over Nice any day. We stayed at the downscale place in town (which was still perfectly adequate and clean)--Hotel Le Provencal. Not on the harbour, but within walking distance of everything. Out corner room with 3 balconies was about $65 a night.

Are there even smaller places along the Riviera? Someone mentioned Beaulieu?