I've Lived on the French Riviera for 18 Years-This Is the Most Charming Town You Should Visit

"There's a popular image often used to illustrate the enduring beauty of not only the Côte d'Azur, but Mediterranean Europe as a whole: a huddle of colorful, waterfront houses cascading down to a calm, yacht-speckled sea. Every time I see it, on an Instagram post or magazine cover (or as the lead image of this guide), I pinch myself. Because one of those buildings in the picture is my home."

"Villefranche may be joined to Nice at its eastern hip, but it feels a world away from the bustle of the big city-even on the days when a cruise ship is anchored in its magnificent bay. And, with what not just feels like-but often is really is-a film set waiting for me whenever I step outside my front door, I felt my desire to visit Nice quickly slip away."

"You may recognize Villefranche from the movies, too. Flicks like "To Catch a Thief" and "Never Say Never Again," alongside modern favorites such as "Pitch Perfect 3," were shot here. The town was also used to film Saint-Tropez scenes in the second season of Emily in Paris. Rumor has it that the fourth season of The White Lotus is on its way to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat across the bay, as well. And with the stunning scenery here, it's easy to see why."

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a coastal resort town adjacent to Nice, featuring colorful waterfront houses cascading to a calm, yacht-speckled sea. A resident moved there eight years ago after a decade in Nice and found the town a ten-minute bus ride from Nice's port yet feeling a world away from the city's bustle. The bay can host cruise ships but often maintains a tranquil, film-set atmosphere. Several films and TV shows were shot there, including To Catch a Thief, Never Say Never Again, Pitch Perfect 3, and Emily in Paris; rumors link The White Lotus to nearby Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

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