Villefrance is a popular port for many ships cruising the Mediterranean, and as such, some of us have visited her many times.

For those of you who have visited Cannes, Monaco, Nice and experienced the various tours before, you may be wondering what to do next time!  Here is a suggestion.

You've tendered into the port, the sun is shining and the blue Mediterranean sea is glistening.  You have no energy for a tour and the idea of a lazy day inspires you.

As you exit the tender terminal you may like to take a stroll along the sea road of Villefrance.  Exit the terminal car park and cross over the crossing.  You will come to a set of steps where you might remember Sean Connery standing in Never Say Never Again.  Take your photo op with your best 007 impression.   Standing on the pavement facing the steps, turn right and the road will take you along the sea road past small shops and restaurants.  You can walk round the bay, glancing up into the hills at the expensive villas and the beautiful bouganvilla, imagining how the 'other half live' - unless of course you are the 'other half' in which case perhaps you can house hunt!

Retracing your steps back to the town you may wish to head upwards, via the steps and meander through the cool narrow streets to look at the shops and art gallery, buy some gifts for friends back home or a treat for yourself.

If you want to see more of Villefrance you could return to the terminal car park and catch the 'Petit Train' which will take you upwards to the town at the top of the hill, past the old buildings of the town and up to the busier side of Villefrance.  There may be an open market for you to potter around, and there are definitely stunning views over the bay and your ship as you head up the hill.  You can choose to meet your train for the return journey or walk back down to build up an appetite.

When your cruise legs have had a good stretch it should be time to take it easy with a bottle of something suitably red or white or a cold beer.

Head back to the steps where you were shaken but not stirred, and this time step up to the raised terrace area.  Here you will find several cafes where you can have lunch.

We always go to Cafe Cosmo which, the last time we were there, has the brown blind.  Its the last cafe on the right hand side.

Serving Fish, Steaks and the most wonderful French Fries, enjoy a bottle of wine over a leisurely lunch.  Try the Tarte au Citron (pictured) or Glace Imperial (as it was called then and also pictured)... not for the faint hearted.

Enjoy an afternoon of people watching and practicising your French verbs as you enjoy the sunshine, a drink in hand, a plate of good food and no schedule to worry about other than to catch your return tender which you will find less than five minutes away across the road.

Enjoy!

Photos:

Tarte au Citron at Cafe Cosmo
Glace Royal at Cafe Cosmo
The James Bond Steps
Views from the top of the town
The 'high' part of Villefrance town
Tendering to port
Views of the ships
Looking down on Villefrance and the blue sea
Tucked away houses on the hill
Villefrance