Paddle Tour in Villefranche

Villefranche is located in one of the most beautiful bays of the French Riviera and the best way to visit it is by paddle, It is protected from winds and waves by wooded hills, and offers a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea.

The bay of Villefranche is frequented since antiquity by the Greek and Roman sailors thanks to its situation allowing to protect the ships against the swell.
Today very popular with pleasure boats and the Jetset, but also paddles, it is the ideal place in Nice to paddle and discover the rich villas as well as the fauna and flora.

The Saint Elme citadel was commissioned by the Duke of Savoie Emmanuel-Philibert in 1556, the device is completed by the construction of the fort of Mount Alban and the Saint-Hospice tower at Cap Ferrat these devices form a «defensive chain» able to protect the only maritime window of the Duchy of Savoie from any coastal attack.

The citadel of Villefranche is one of the first examples of «bastioned fortress», model that will inspire all Catholic Europe and Vauban who did everything to convince the French generals not to destroy.

Another example of the city’s fortifications is the dark street that was once the military’s way of way, but following the construction of the citadel, the ramparts were no longer of military use and the inhabitants used the ramparts as a foundation for their house.

Villefranche remains above all a military port, but close to the sea obliges Villefranche is also a fishing village, the fishing port is a very pleasant place to stroll and drink or eat in the bar restaurant that follow it.

The bay of Villefranche is a marine ecosystem rich in biodiversity, the bay is a refuge for a wide variety of species of fauna and flora such as red mullet, octopus, crayfish, corals, seaweed…

In Saint Jean Cap Ferrat you may already know it as a luxury tourist destination. Known for its many beautiful villas such as Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, its sandy beaches, rocky coves, exotic gardens and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea by paddle.

The visit is divided in two the first part is on foot in the small alleys of Villefranche and the second part is paddle along the banks of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.
We will begin our visit with the citadel of Saint-Elme, one of the pillars of the Nice defensive system and one of the first examples of bastioned fortification in Europe.

We then enter the small alleys of Villefranche to go to the parish church of Saint-Michel, one of the essential monuments of the city, well known for its life-size Christ lying, sculpted by a Galérien.

Then we will cross the old town to the town square and its small fountain which was in medieval times the center of the local administration, we can also enjoy a beautiful view of the sandy beaches and the harbour.

Next stop the dark street where we will walk in the footsteps of the soldiers on their way round to reach the port which was once the only maritime gate of the States of Savoy and its pictorial Chapel of Saint Pierre des pêcheurs the very first chapel decorated by the famous artist Jean Cocteau.

We will then go to the paddle rental to take the sea and cross the bay of Villefranche to follow the peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat while observing the very varied fauna and flora of the Mediterranean.

We will talk about sumptuous villas such as Villa Nellcote and its very ‘Rock and Roll’ history with the exile of the Rolling Stones.
Villa Rothschild, a beautiful home surrounded by gardens. Symbol of the Russian aristocracy enjoy this magnificent peninsula.

We will meet just in front of the entrance to the citadel.