Cap de Nice
Wonderful national park area with a hilltop fortress
Cap de Nice and Mont Boron is a peaceful exclusive area to the east of Nice and is a mix of affluent residential properties and a national park.
Perched on one of the “collines” of Nice, Mont Boron sits at just over 190m and is home to a forest that covers 57 hectares and contains about 11km of footpaths that are perfect for exploring the area, including a 1.5km fitness trail with exercise stations.
Cap de Nice is not so far from the town itself but is a bit cut-off due to its elevated position and its location on the peninsula; many beautiful properties have been built here because of the glorious views from the city of Nice all the way to Cap Ferrat.
History & Culture in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Historical markers are in evidence all over the area, from the Paleolithic era to the present day. At the foot of Mont Boron is the Grotte du Lazaret, a prehistoric cave that has revealed remains of prehistoric animals including woolly mammoths, panthers, lynx and bears - alongside human remains that suggest that it was occupied almost two hundred thousand years ago.
At the very peak of Mont Boron you’ll find Fort Mont Alban, built in 1557 on the orders of the Duke of Savoy in response to the siege of Nice. Only the outside of the fort is accessible, the inside is closed to visitors, but it's almost perfectly preserved and well worth the hike up for a look around. It’s a real fairytale castle with turrets, towers and a drawbridge.
More recently, the Batterie du Mont Boron is a 400m long military bunker built in 1886 to protect the Baie des Anges. Take a stroll around the Circuit de Bellevue, which follows the walls of the Batterie and looks out over the bay between Nice and Villefranche-Sur-Mer.
Sights & Attractions in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Visits to the caves are only possible by arrangement, but you can can see lots of exhibits from the site at the Musée Terra Amata in the port district.
Sights in Villefranche-sur-Mer
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Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This impressive villa was built in 1906 by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. It overlooks the Mediterranean sea from Cap Ferrat and it is full of antique furniture, Old Master paintings, sculptures and a collection of rare porcelain, while the gardens are classified as Notable Gardens of France.
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Volti Museum
The sculptor, Antoniucci Volti, was born in Italy in 1915 but his family lived in Villefranche-sur-Mer. His collection is housed in the town's 16th-century citadel.
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Musee de Paleontologie Humaine de Terra Amata
The museum of palaeontology is located on the excavation site of the Terra Amata where there is evidence of human inhabitation going back 400,000 years.
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Saint-Michel Church, Villefranche sur Mer
This Baroque Italianate church dates to the 1750s, although it was built on the site of a 14th-century church.
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Parc du Mont Boron
Looming protectively over the exclusive Cap de Nice area, the Parc du Mont Boron is a hilltop forest with picnic areas, olive trees, exercise circuits, hiking trails, boules pitches and a 16th-century castle. Sitting on the crest of a hill just over 190m high, Parc du Mont Boron looks over Nice to one side and Villefranche-Sur-Mer to the other - if you hike up to Fort Alban you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views from the Cap Ferrat peninsula in the east all the way to the Esterel mountains in the west.
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Vigier Park
Located close to the city’s harbour, this park stretches over a surface of 1 hectare.
Dining in Villefranche-sur-Mer
The Cap de Nice and Mont Boron area is generally very quiet and residential, which is perfect if you want to escape the frenetic atmosphere of Nice and enjoy the tranquility.
However, this means that there are few restaurants in the area - your best bet is to take a short stroll down Avenue Jean Lorrain where you’ll find two excellent restaurants both on the seafront before you reach the port. If you simply want a quick bite, there is a pizzeria (that also does takeaway delivery) on the Boulevard Maurice Maeterlinck.
Restaurants in Villefranche-sur-Mer
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Maison Gusto Restaurant
Located between the Port and Place Garibaldi, Maison Gusto restaurant is a must for lovers of burger in Nice.
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L'Oursin Bleu Restaurant
L'Oursin Bleu is a restaurant along the port in Villefrance with a beautiful décor, great piano music and a fresh and tasty cuisine.
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L'Atelier du Port Restaurant, Nice Centre
In a black and white décor with a modern open space kitchen the chef cooks right in front of you with the freshest ingredients of the day from the local markets.
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La Cave Nature Restaurant
In a simple and relaxed atmosphere, La Cave Nature is a place of tasting organic wines and specialities of the house such as sandwiches, Mediterranean products freshly prepared, and tastings of cheeses and Italian delicatessen.
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Le Cosmo Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
In a relaxed family atmosphere, the restaurant Cosmo offers a variety of traditional, Mediterranean and French cuisine.
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Salon de The de la Villa Ephrussy de Rotschild, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Set in the room that Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild’s used as a dining room, the tea room/restaurant's terrace overlooks the Bay of Villefranche. All day, you can break for a delicious snack in this calm oasis with an unrestricted view of the bay.
Things to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer
If you nip round the back of the pizzeria you’ll see a sign saying “Escalier Pieton”, if you follow this you’ll come to a steep narrow staircase that leads directly to the sea and onto a wonderful coastal path leading all the way to Coco Beach in Nice.
Things To Do in Villefranche-sur-Mer
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Parasailing, Villefranche Sur Mer
Fly at 50 metres above the sea by yourself or with friends security attached, enjoy a spectacular view of the gorgeous Baie des Anges, mountains and surroundings.
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Provençal Tasting Tour, from Nice
A taste of traditional Provencal Nissarde cuisine, wine, and olives.
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Club Nautique de Nice
Rowing, power boating and sailing. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, whether you prefer a leisure or competitive approach, the club offers its resources, its equipment, its fleet (except for power boating).
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Nice Diving School
Nice Diving unveils to its clients the underwater marvels of the Mediterranean ocean along the shores of the Cote d'Azur.
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Bikram Yoga
Classes of bikram yoga's 26 postures take place in a heated classroom every day in the port area of Nice. English speaking Yoga instructors.
Where to stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Cap de Nice then there are plenty of lavish Belle Époque villas to choose from, when you consider that residents include the mega-rich and mega-famous like Elton John, you can imagine the price tag.
Totally at the other end of the scale is the local hostel tucked away in the forest - accommodation is self-catered and dormitory style. Somewhere in between there are lots of very elegant apartments to let with excellent sea views.
Hotels in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Hotels in Villefranche-sur-Mer
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Exedra Hotel, Nice Centre
The 5-star Luxury Boscolo Exedra Nice is located in the centre of Nice, a few minutes from the old town, the boutiques of Place Masséna, the famous Promenade Des Anglais and the Conference Center.
Price: €3,942
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Le Negresco Hotel
Famous hotel and site named after Henri Negresco with an equally famous restaurant Le Chantecler, located on the Promenade des Anglais.
Price: €9,596
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Le Palais de la Mediterranee Hotel
Located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, this contemporary hotel features a casino, an indoor & outdoor pool and spa facilities.
Price: €6,269
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Suisse Hotel
The Hotel Suisse is ideally situated between right on the beach front and offers fantastic, uninterrupted sea views right in the heart of Nice.
Price: €3,374
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Cap Estel Hotel, Eze
Situated on its own two-hectare peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel has wonderful panoramic views. With only 28 rooms spread over four separate locations, it is a very private and luxurious place to stay.
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Le Chateau de la Chevre d'Or Hotel, Eze
Boasting remarkable sea views of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this luxurious hotel is listed among the 500 World's Best Hotels.
Price: €21,700
Directions
Take buses no.81 or no.100 to get to Cap de Nice (bus stop Maeterlinck) or bus no.14 to go directly to Mont Boron.