Artist’s Atelier
1-Bedroom 1-Bath Apartment in
Old Town Villefranche sur Mer

• €800 – 925/wk  (see all property prices)
• Newly remodeled and furnished one-bedroom, one-bath apartment
• Located in a very convenient, very quiet section of the old village
• Balcony with view of the sea and a quaint pedestrian street
• TV, DVD, CD, DSL, air conditioning, dishwasher, clothes washer
• Walking distance to everything

  Click here to download a brochure (PDF file) of this property.

Apartment Setting

The Artist’s Atelier is located on Rue Volti in the Old Town of Villefranche. This is one of the best locations in the Old Town as it is very quiet yet close to car access so you can easily move suitcases, groceries, etc. Rue Volti is named after one of Villefranche’s most famous artist’s who lived in the Old Town. He was most famous for his sculptures — especially of women. There is a wonderful collection of his work at the Volti museum, displayed in an incredible space in Villefranche’s citadel, which is definitely worth a visit.

The Old Town of Villefranche rises from the quai, or waterfront walk, up the hillside to the Place de la Paix, which is a village square and small crossroads at the top of the old village. Our Artist’s Atelier is located about two-thirds of the way up the hillside from the waterfront and therefore a bit closer to the Place de la Paix than to the waterfront. However, the waterfront is only about 70 steps down the hill, on the lovely walking street of Rue de May. Rue de May, which you look down from the apartment, is a lovely pedestrian street that curves down the hillside with beautiful wrought iron lanterns and plant-filled balconies — and ends at the waterfront.

One enters the apartment on the ground floor, although the apartment is really a floor above the street because it is built on the hillside. Therefore, the balcony and French doors leading to the balcony, plus the office window, are all one floor, or about 20 feet above the street. Place de la Paix is very convenient and one of the major gathering spots of the locals. There is a wonderful little bar/café where townspeople buy the paper, magazines, have coffee, enjoy the ‘menu’ for lunch, or an aperitif at the end of the day; there is the best bakery in town here called Banette; the butcher is here and is excellent; a traiteur, three green grocers, the best pizzeria with a wood fired oven, a pharmacy, and a lovely olive tree with benches all around it where many locals gather and chat. This is truly the local’s corner of town — it is quite a scene to come and sit in the café or under the olive tree and watch how village life unfolds — definitely good fodder for a book or short story and at least a couple of good chuckles.

Layout & Decorations

When you enter the apartment you feel the spaciousness of the room, and the historic feeling of the 500-year-old building. The ceilings are 12 feet high with big old wooden beams. Bright light enters from the French doors illuminating the beautiful white-washed stone walls. The kitchen, dining and living area are one big space with the French doors opening onto the balcony with one of the most lovely, Mediterranean Old Town views — one you’ll never tire of as you look down the curvy, pedestrian street, lined with multi-colored buildings, flowers, balconies and lanterns, cats sleeping in flower pots, laundry flapping in the breeze, and culminating with the beautiful blue sea.

The apartment is decorated in an arty, eclectic style. The tall, irregular, old stone white-washed walls are covered in colorful art making you feel as though you are in a gallery or an artist’s workshop — hence the name “Atelier.” Even the furniture attempts to be part of the artwork, with interesting antiques such as a coffee table that was a tribal crib from Afghanistan, dining chairs from the ’30s and an antique walnut dining table. This is mixed with a modern ’60s style chair, fun, colorful artwork of different genres, with good mood and art lighting.

Furnishings & Special Features

The living room area features a 3-seater sofa bed. There are two side tables with good reading light, decorative lighting, a coffee table (the Afghani tribal crib), a stuffed chair and cushioned stool. You can comfortably seat six. There is a flat panel TV and DVD player. The basic French and English television stations are available (i.e., news channels plus some entertaining). There is also a 5-CD player stereo. The dining area features a walnut drop-leaf table with four dining chairs and a buffet cabinet.

The balcony features the most charming, interesting and beautiful view of the sea, the prettiest pedestrian street in the Old Town and colorful buildings, not to mention the delightful life that unfolds below you. It is a wonderful place to enjoy breakfast, aperitifs, dinner — or just sit and observe life. The balcony is basked in sun most of the day, has a lovely white Carrera marble floor, wrought iron railings, two arm chairs, plus two more folding stools for guests, flowers and a few herbs to enjoy.

The kitchen is new and features a gas cook top, an electric oven and grill, a dishwasher, granite countertops, and cookware and dishes for someone who loves to cook. The bathroom off the bedroom area is also new, has a large walk-in shower, toilet, and large sink and vanity with excellent lighting. The bedroom area features a new, very comfortable, high-quality queen-sized bed with two night stands and good reading lights plus a closet. There is a separate small office with a beautiful built-in desk, excellent lighting, a bookshelf unit, wireless DSL, and a phone line with local access. In addition, there is a large storage closet. There is a laundry closet with a new washing machine. There is central air conditioning if you like, but the sea breeze is lovely with the French doors left open.

NEXT PROPERTY >> 

(TOP OF PAGE)