Port

Villefranche - Santé

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Maximum length: 98 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 9 ft

Small harbour tucked in the south-west corner of the Rade de Villefranche, between the old town and the Cap-Ferrat peninsula, on the Côte d'Azur.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Enter the Rade de Villefranche between Cap de Nice and Pointe Saint-Hospice. The Rade has depths over 40 m. The Santé harbour entrance lies east of the old town quay, head of pier marked by a green light. Well sheltered except in strong E to SE winds. VHF 9.

Practical

50 berths stern-to on pendilles, most reserved for local boats; a few visitor berths lie alongside the wall behind the ferries, for yachts up to 25 m with 3 m draught. Reckon on about 32 euros a night in the harbour against roughly 48 on the outer buoys. Water and 16 amp electricity are included, higher amperage extra. The satellite office here is not always staffed and the main capitainerie is a tender ride away. Rubbish disposal on site, no laundry. No fuel pump, diesel at Port de Nice, 2 NM to the west. Showers at the harbour office.

Ashore

The citadelle Saint-Elme, a 16th century fortress built by the Duke of Savoy, overlooks the harbour 100 m from the pontoons and houses three municipal museums. The baroque chapelle Saint-Pierre, decorated by Jean Cocteau in 1957, stands on the fishermen's quay 300 m to the west. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is 2 km along the Cap-Ferrat road.

History

The Rade served as a Mediterranean base for the Savoyard navy from the 16th century and later for the French and Russian fleets. The citadelle was built from 1557 by Duke Emmanuel-Philibert of Savoy to guard the anchorage.

Story

Jean Cocteau painted the interior of the chapelle Saint-Pierre in 1957 as a tribute to the Villefranche fishermen who once stored their nets inside the building.