Looking for a scenic walk to do from Nice that is a little more adventurous than the Promenade des Anglais? This coastal Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer walk is the perfect alternative! It’s the perfect chance to stroll along one of the most gorgeous bays that I have honestly ever seen, as you approach the pastel lanes of Villefranche.
The walk starts from the Promenade des Anglais, traces Port Lympia, then winds around Mount Boron to the quaint seaside village of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Prepare to tackle a few inclines as you make your way around Mount Boron, before which the trail segways between a paved road with views and villas and a lower, more rugged seaside trail. Either way, the total hike time spans between 90 to 120 minutes.
Read this article in its entirety and map the trail in advance – don’t rely solely on Google Maps! That app defaults to the paved path, which could be frustrating if you were hoping to find the coastal trail. The good news is that even sticking to the main roads will give you breathtaking views over the stunning bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
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Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer Walk Guide
Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer Walk: Quick Facts
- Length: About 6.4 km or 4 miles each way
- Difficulty: Moderate mostly due to length and some climbing around Mount Boron with an elevation gain of around 554 feet (169 meters).
- Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (depends on your pace)
- Terrain: Mostly paved sidewalks if you stay on the main roads, otherwise a mixture of some paved roads, rocky coastal trails, and stone steps.
- Scenery: Gorgeous views over small rocky beaches, the sea peeking between hilltop luxury villas, and boats cruising by over the deep blue Mediterranean. Much of the hike lacks shade, although a few sections offer relief from the sun.
What to Bring
Here are some items you’ll want to bring for this leisurely Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer walk to ensure an enjoyable and comfortable experience:
- Athletic apparel: You won’t see many people in bright yoga pants in the French Riviera. Black or neutral loose-fitting hiking shorts or breathable pants seem to be more common in France. A moisture-wicking top is also best for these sweaty trails.
- Sunscreen: Many sections of this coastal path are exposed to the sun, so remember your SPF! Here’s a wonderful French brand that I really like.
- Footwear: Good hiking shoes are always helpful on the trails, yet can be bulky to pack. I got away with old tennis shoes, although their worn tread was not ideal.
- Hat: To shield your face from the sun.
- Sunglasses: the Mediterranean sun gets quite bright!
- Water Bottle: You will sweat a lot during this climb, so bring plenty of water. I always try to bring my insulated water bottle, which keeps the contents nice and cold – a relief in the heat!
- Camera: To capture the stunning scenery. I’ve been using the Sony A6000 for years and I’ve always been happy enough with the photo quality that I haven’t bothered springing for an upgrade.
- Cell phone: For photos, navigation, to call an Uber, to look up bus schedules, or in case of emergency.
Related: What to Pack for the South of France
Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer Walk: What to Expect
1. Choose Your Starting Point
Where you begin this Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer walk depends on how long you wish to hike. For minimal walking, take the tram to begin at Port Lympia. Otherwise, you can simply navigate to the Promenade des Anglais and start walking towards Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau).
2. Take a Photo at the “#ILoveNICE” Sign
If you started at the Promenade des Anglais, shortly after passing the steps to Castle Hill you will reach a popular selfie spot. Take a short break for a photo in front of the waterfront #ILoveNice sign if you want. There will be many other tourists doing the same.
3. Pass the Striking Monuments aux Morts
As you round Castle Hill towards Port Lympia, you can’t miss the larger-than-life Monuments aux Morts de Rauba-Capeù, which was built between 1924 and 1927. This striking monument will cause you to pause for at least a minute to admire the stone arch carved into the hillside, which frames five steps leading to a giant urn.
Easily visible from any passing boat, this monument honors soldiers from Nice who died during World War I.
4. Walk Around Port Lympia
Port Lympia is one of the most beautiful places in Nice with a large harbor housing vessels of all sizes, from small fishing boats to giant luxury yachts. Bright buildings with large colorful shutters line three sides of the harbor and give it a cheerful atmosphere, with Castle Hill rising above the roofs to the west and Mount Boron to the east.
For this walk, you’ll need to navigate around the entirety of Port Lympia (the route is shorter from the tram station). I highly recommend returning to this neighborhood in the evening to enjoy the dining scene, including restaurants like JAN, Nuances, or La Pêche à la Vigne.
5. Pass the Nice Lighthouse
Leaving Port Lympia, you will continue along the water on Boulevard Franck Pilatte, passing the iconic Le Plongeoir restaurant with views of the Phare de Nice (Nice Lighthouse) just beyond it.
Look for people swimming and sunbathing in the little bays along the coast virtually all times of the year! Some impressively cold-hardy individuals from Scandinavia and other northerly places venture to these “warm” Mediterranean waters in the winter.
6. A Fork in the Road
A little before you notice signs for the prehistoric Grotte du Lazaret, there will be a pathway on your right leading to the more rugged coastal trail at the Jardin Félix Rainaud. Take this route to have the best sea views along the foot of Mount Boron until you reach a tall staircase leading back up to the main road.
Otherwise, stay on the road to ascend Mont Boron through a more residential neighborhood with sidewalks that lead past private villas. There will still be views out to the sea from above, although they’ll have occasional obstructions by fences and residences.
No matter which path you choose, everyone who does the Nice to Villefrance-sur-Mer walk will have to ascend Mont Boron to walk Boulevard Maurice Maeterlinck.
7. Another Fork in the Road
Just before making the turn around Mount Boron to begin descending into Villefranche-sur-Mer, there are more stairs leading back down to the coastal trail. Take this route to walk along the water all the way until it merges into the road leading into the colorful little village.
You could also opt to forgo the stairs and simply stay on the road, which turns into Boulevard Princesse Grace de Monaco (or Basse Corniche). The road leads past a monument honoring its namesake, the late American actress Grace Kelly who became Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III in 1956. She tragically died at the age of 52 after a car accident near La Turbie in 1982.
This road is famous for its views, offering panoramas over Villefranche Harbor, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Beaulieu-sur-Mer tucked into the hilly coastline just beyond the peninsula.
Related: The 12 Most Intriguing French Riviera Villages to Visit Immediately
It’ll take a while to reach the town as you stroll downhill along this very deep bay, which once insulated Villefranche-sur-Mer from pirates and other invaders. Don’t be surprised if you see lots of boats docked near shore, as well as the occasional stand-up paddle boarder slowly gliding across the glassy surface.
8. Explore Villefranche-sur-Mer
Since you walked all this way, it’s definitely worth it to take a little saunter around the streets of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The town is quite small and you can see much of it within thirty minutes of wandering. However, you might want to first pause for a coffee and pain au chocolat at a nearby boulangerie (check out BAKARO or follow the heavenly aromas to Boulangerie de la Paix, which sits just above the historic village).
Some of the top things to do in Villefranche include the following:
- Admire the pastel colored facades that line the charming cobblestone paths leading down to the harbor
- Stroll past charming eateries and boats docked along the waterfront
- Checking out the whimsically designed 14th-century Chapelle Saint-Pierre “Cocteau”
- Visit Église Saint-Michel de Villefranche-sur-Mer, an 18th century Baroque church
- Walk towards Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to the beaches just under the Villefranche-sur-Mer train station for pretty views looking back towards the village
9. Head Back to Nice
Don’t worry – you don’t have to hike all the way back to Nice. In fact, you could call an Uber, take the train, or catch bus 15.
In my opinion, the #15 bus is the easiest and most cost-effective option. You can purchase bus tickets at the Tabac de L’Octroi in Villefranche-sur-Mer, on the main road leading back towards Nice just outside of the old town.
The bus stop is just a short walk to the left once you exit the shop (look for the number 15 on the sign). Then watch for the bus that also says 15 on the front, since sometimes different bus numbers will use the same stop. Note that this bus is also covered under the refillable Lignes d’Azur pass, which also works for the tram in Nice.
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What a wonderful morning spent completing one of the most rewarding coastal walks in the French Riviera! This journey was not easy, so be sure to treat yourself to a lovely dinner in Nice this evening. If you are craving another coastal hike, considering conquering the breathtaking Cap d’Antibes next.
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