Villefranche old town is made for wandering, with steeply stepped streets leading into alleys and passageways arching over the cobbles.

The Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat hike is a 12km circular coastal walk around the Cap Ferrat peninsula, just to the east of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It offers  fantastic vistas and a glimpse of  spectacular villas from the pedestrian coastline path. Stop at Bar du Port in the pretty St Jean Cap Ferrat harbour for a drink or a nice lunch.

There are also two circular walks beginning and ending in Villefranche: the circuit de la Rade and the Fort de Mont-Alban hike towards Nice. Walk up to the Moyenne Corniche and follow the path up to Mont Boron to Fort Alban and come down the hillside back into Villefranche. Go to the Tourism Office (located uptown, Jardin Binon) to ask for a detailed map.

Tel: +33(0)4 93 01 73 68

Beaulieu also has beautiful hiking options such as:

Promenade Maurice Rouvier

This is a seaside path that follows the shore around to St Jean Cap Ferrat. Pass the Villa Kerylos, the Rotonde and the Casino to the far end. Walk from the beach to St Jean Cap Ferrat. Around 8km round trip.

Saint Michel Plateau

Towards the yacht harbour and the gardens of Little Africa, turn left into avenue Gordon Bennett.  From the crossroads of avenue Gordon Bennett and Bd Edouard VII, a mule track leads up to the St Michel Plateau.  Turn left on the moyenne corniche, cross over and a little further up, another path leads to the Plateau.  Still higher up is a viewpoint offering an unforgettable panorama all the way to Corsica on a clear day. Around 4km round trip.

The Madone Noire

To enjoy a magnificient view of the bay of Villefranche Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu, take the chemin des Myrtes off  Bd Edouard VII  and left to the Av de Suede, to the Madone Noire.