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Posted on Monday, 15 March 2010 |
 The French Riviera is always going to remain at the top of 'the best holiday locations' lists. It has simply been so for so many generations it would be difficult to foresee what could cause a shift away from one of the world's most loved holiday places.
It answers any criticism with some reasoning's that are unshakeable in their absolutism. It is busy, yes but that simply means that it is popular and by contrast the place to 'be seen' and anyway there is always the vast acreage of some former Royal palace to escape to or some lonely cove tucked into insurmountable mountains to lay claim to whether you have arrived there by super yacht or a rubber dinghy.
It is highly developed, but there are more national parks and green acres here than in any other department of France and the sheer force of nature simply precludes the building in some areas and hence it remains unspoilt despite our best attempts to inhabit every corner.
It is a landscape that seems resolutely unspoiled. The sheer scale of the mountains, the blue horizon over shadow the human scaled detritus of habitation.
Villefranche-sur-mer is one of the destinations that has surely risen to the top. Cannes has it's film festival, it's miles long beach and it's glamourous clientèle, Monaco, a tax free haven, super rich playground and magnificent Casino while Nice offers something of a more ragged charm although no less grand in style.
It is Villefranche though, with it's deep curving bay and steep hills that has become the location of choice. By now we have all heard of the ill fated sale of Villa Leopold to Russian oil Tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov who recently had a French court rule against his in his attempt to retrieve his 40 million deposit after the sale fell through.
It would have secured the title of the 'worlds most expensive private real estate' for the South of France villa had the sale gone ahead. But it has not prevented Villefranche from being recognised as one of the most desirably locations in the world.
It all started with the naturally occurring benefits of the area, the bay of Villefranche. This bay offered great protection for fishermen and sea bound traders from the wilder waters of the Mediterranean in more ancient times so it was natural for a village to arise on this site.
The deep waters of the bay allowed large ships to access the coast which carried Navy sized vessels into the small port which in turn granted access to an entirely more prodigal traveller. The Russian Royal family and the King of Belgium become the most notable of these notables to visit during the early 19th century and were responsible for the building of some of the colossal and palatial homes within view of this Bay.
Where there are palaces there will be kings and so it has remained. The luxurious homes are established, the natural beauty is unquestionable and unchangeable, the opportunity to build more is remote and so the desire is high.
Following in the footsteps of actual royalty has come perceived royalty. There has been 'Rock Royalty' in the form of the rolling stones who rented the sombre Villa Nellcote in 1971 and recorded their recently re released album 'Exile on Main Street', Tina Turner who lives in the hills and Andrew Lloyd Webber whose home here was a former 'world's most expensive...' holiday home.
There has been the new Russian 'Oil Royalty' with the influx of the Russian oligarchs who find the deep calm waters of the Rade de Villefranche a most suitable anchorage for their super sized yachts. The latest of whom is the unfortunate Mikhail Prokhorov.
We cannot forget Hollywood royalty either with first David Niven choosing this area for his final home in the 50's and the more recent visitation from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
From humble beginnings as a small fishing village, Villefranche-sur-mer has grown, in stature if not in acreage, to become one of the most desirable places in the world, to live, to holiday and to visit.
Enjoy your own chance to share in this famous South of France view by choosing one of Riviera Rental Guides holiday rentals. Choose a luxurious palatial villa or a more modest apartment depending on what's on your holiday wish list.
The Rolling Stones album 'Exile on Main Street' is due to be re re-released in May 2010. A French court ruled against Prokhorov in February 2010.
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Bedrooms: 6; Sleeps: 12
Price p/n: €2,133.25 |
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