The Quai at Villefranche. Watercolour 14 inches by 10 on Arches Rough paper.

A Very Happy New Year to you all. Thanks for visiting my site.

Sometimes in the winter it is nice to look back to days spent in a particular place.

Scanning through my paintings it struck me that this theme would make an interesting theme for a Post and so here is the first one of what I hope will grow into a series of Posts.

When we visit The South of France our home there is not far from Villefranche, about 40 minutes, so it makes a nice day out and a lovely place to sit on the Quai and have a delightful lunch.

The town has a nice harbour, a fine , and huge castle and is in sheltered bay on the Mediterranean.

It has become a very popular harbour for cruises too, but it is much nicer there when the cruise ships aren’t!

There is a lovely small Church  (Chapelle Saint Pierre) which dates from the 16th Century by the waterfront  The inside of the Church has been decorated by Jean Cocteau after it’s restoration in 1957. Definitely worth a visit  before or after lunch.

Villefranche has thus become quite a favourite spot for me to paint watercolours of and so here are some of the watercolours of some recent visits there.

Villefranche, walking by the Castle. Watercolour 14 inches by 10 on Arches Rough paper.

From the harbour there is path around the outside, the sea side , of the castle which gives lovely views of the bay and of the Town and Castle.

Across the Bay is the very tiny Port Passable , above which stands the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild,  a beautiful House and Gardens open to the public. Nearby also is the Villa Grecque Kérylos. Both are very well worth the visit.

Port Passable at Villefranche.

There is so much to do in and around Villefranche. Access is easy by car or train and I am sure you will enjoy it just as we do.

Happy travelling!