Welcome to Villeneuve-Loubet, a delightful hidden gem on Cote d’Azur which despite its great location seems to be missing from travel blogs and guides. But thanks to that, it’s a peaceful destination that can be your quiet getaway from bustling towns on the coast. Picturesque alleys, amazing views, lovely beaches, interesting museums, green areas by the river, and restaurants serving tasty food… There are so many interesting things in the area! Sounds good? Keep reading and discover Villeneuve-Loubet, an enchanting village near Nice.
Note. Villeneuve-Loubet can be split into two parts – the inland village and the seaside area of Marina Baie des Anges.
Travel tip. You can visit Villeneuve-Loubet and nearby Biot or Cagnes-sur-Mer during the same-day trip.
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Villeneuve-Loubet, France FAQ
Villeneuve-Loubet is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France at the mouth of the River Loup. It’s just a short drive from popular nearby places like Nice, Cannes, or Antibes.
Yes! Villeneuve-Loubet is a pretty, captivating, peaceful, and well-preserved village yet undiscovered by many. Add to that pretty seaside area and you’ll get the perfect combination. Even though you won’t find dozens of exciting things to do in Villeneuve-Loubet, you shouldn’t skip it while in the area – it’s a great place to visit near Nice.
Villeneuve-Loubet is the birthplace of Auguste Escoffier, a famous 19th-century chef, restaurateur, and culinary writer. He was the inventor of Haute cuisine, characterized by elegant presentation with attention to detail and a rigorous pursuit of quality ingredients and used techniques.
It’s pronounced [vilnœv lubɛ];. Still don’t know how to read it? Here’s a YouTube video where you can listen to correct pronunciation.
Villeneuve-Loubet village
Villeneuve-Loubet village is located inland, about 3km from the coast. It’s a fairly small but very charming place that retained its authenticity. And there’s no better way of getting to know it than slowly wandering among its streets. Quaint houses decorated with flowers, cobblestone streets, cozy squares, restaurants, museums, friendly cats eager to be pet… All of that can be found in Villeneuve-Loubet village.
Among Villeneuve-Loubet village streets you’ll find points of interest like:
- The medieval fortress (fr. Château de Villeneuve) is located at the town’s highest point and dates back to the 13th century. It’s not visible from the outside but hidden behind high walls, and can be visited only on guided tours organized by the Tourist Office. The fortress is listed as a Historic Monument.
- Church of St Marc (fr. Église Saint-Marc) dates back to the 15th century and features great views over the village surroundings from the church square. It’s open only during masses.
- Escoffier Museum of Culinary Art (fr. Musée Escoffier de l’Art Culinaire) presents a comprehensive view of the world of French cuisine. It was created in the birthplace of famous chef Auguste Escoffier and documents his career, with exhibits including a collection of menus, a Provencal kitchen, utensils, and items of the time. Entrance costs €6 for a normal ticket and €4 for a reduced one (June 2024). For current prices and opening hours visit musee-escoffier.com website.
- Museum of Art and History (fr. Musée d’Histoire & d’Art) exhibits an original collection tracing the history of the French army featuring documents, uniforms, badges, models, and souvenirs from World War One until the Gulf War in 1991. Entrance is free. For current opening hours visit villeneuve-tourisme.com website.
- Notre-Dame d’Espérance Chapel (fr. Chapelle Notre-Dame d’Espérance) is a small chapel near the fortress featuring nice views over the surroundings.
- The bridge over the Loup from which you can admire nice views over Villeneuve-Loubet village.
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Overall, you don’t need a map to explore Villeneuve-Loubet village. Just let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the streets and sooner or later you’ll discover every corner.
Also, keep in mind that streets are quite steep so be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
On the banks of the Loup River, you’ll also find the Natural Park of Rives du Loup. It’s a green and peaceful area with well-maintained paths and picnic areas. The site is classified as Natura 2000.
If you love visiting local markets, Villeneuve-Loubet village has something to offer too! Each Wednesday and Saturday, from 8AM-1PM in the heart of the village, you’ll find Village Market with fresh local products, clothing, household items, craftsmen, etc. And on the last Sunday of each month, the Italian Market takes place where you’ll find countless goodies from Italian producers.
Discover: Accommodation options in Villeneuve-Loubet
Marina Baie des Anges seaside area
Marina Baie des Anges is a seaside part of Villeneuve-Loubet. It stretches from the mouth of the Loup River to the beaches next to the train station. There, you’ll find a 2km long promenade perfect for relaxing walks among amazing views towards Nice and Antibes.
Of course, there are also some restaurants with outside terraces in high season, pretty beaches, and not-too-big port with some yachts and recreational boats. It’s also a place where summer outdoor markets are organized.
What definitely won’t skip your attention are four large white buildings in the shape of the pyramids along Port Marina Baie des Anges. This unique and original property complex was built between 1969 and 1993 and now is classified as an architectural heritage of the 20th century.
It’s supposed to resemble large white waves rolling in from the sea but for us, it looks like a huge white whale! If you want to take a good look at it, we recommend a short walk to the pier at the mouth of the Loup River.
Close to Marina Baie des Anges, on Avenue de la Mer 16, you’ll also find the Villeneuve-Loubet Tourist Office.
Discover: Accommodation options in Marina Baie des Anges
Villeneuve-Loubet beaches
As befits the French Riviera, along the Villeneuve-Loubet coastline you’ll find some great beaches too. All are perfect for soaking up the sun and taking a refreshing dip in azure waters.
Overall, in Villeneuve-Loubet the beach choice might not be as wide as in the other nearby towns, but available beaches lack nothing and don’t disappoint. And they are perfect for watching planes landing at Nice airport from a distance. Their biggest disadvantage? They are made mostly from pebbles and stones with a small amount of sand in a few places.
On the east side of Marina Baie des Anges, you’ll find Plage Des Maurettes, Plage de la Batterie, and Plage de Vaugrenier. It’s actually one long stretch made of pebbles, where you’ll find amenities like showers, toilets, parking lots, and a beach volleyball court. There you can also rent mattresses or parasols. Nearby, there is also the pine forest of the Vaugrenier Departmental Park.
On the west side of Marina Baie des Anges Plage du Loup and Plage de la Fighière are located. Showers, toilets, parkings, beach restaurants, first-aid stations, private areas, and many watersports opportunities provided by Nautical Centre are waiting for you there. There are also ramps for people with reduced mobility.
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How to get to Villeneuve-Loubet, France?
Villeneuve-Loubet is located about 10km from Antibes, 15km from Nice, 20km from Cannes or Villefranche-sur-Mer, and 40km from Menton. The most convenient way to get to Villeneuve-Loubet is by car or train.
Where to park in Villeneuve-Loubet?
In Villeneuve-Loube village you can leave your car in free Parking des Bugadières, located right at the banks of the Loup River and just a few steps from the entrance to the village.
Near Marina Baie des Anges and beaches, you can leave your car on Parking des Maurettes or Parking de la Fighière. Both are free in the low season and paid during the summer months.
For great car rental deals visit Rentalcars website.
To Villeneuve-Loubet by bus
You can quite easily reach Villeneuve-Loubet by bus. For example, a trip from Cannes will take about 45min (€3), 1h from Nice (€4-5), 15min from Antibes (€2). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Villeneuve-Loubet by train
You can also get to Villeneuve-Loubet by train. It’s possible from many nearby places like Nice, Cannes, Menton, Cagnes, or Villefranche-sur-Mer. But remember that the train station is located near Marina Baie des Anges and from there you’d need to take a bus to the village. To learn more about train connections that interest you visit sncf.com or rome2rio.com website.
For great train ticket deals visit Trainline website.
Camping Villeneuve-Loubet
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Parc Des Maurettes, Camping Eden Biot, or Camping Les Embruns might interest you. They are located in or near Villeneuve-Loubet.
Villeneuve-Loubet, France – Summing up
Now you know what Villeneuve-Loubet is all about. Winding streets full of beautiful buildings of the old village and pretty seaside areas blend perfectly together, don’t they? All of this makes Villeneuve-Loubet a great place to slow down and enjoy the charm of the South of France. Also, thanks to a low concentration on tourism and lack of crowds you can experience more of a local vibe. We wish you an amazing time in this hidden gem of Cote d’Azur!
Our opinion about Villeneuve-Loubet
For us, a visit to Villeneuve-Loubet village was a half-day trip from Cannes where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in mid-July and were two of just a handful of other people out there. Of course, more people were in the seaside area.
We really liked the village and the time we spent strolling among its charming streets and discovering every nook and cranny was a pure pleasure. There might not be many things to do in Villeneuve-Loubet but we spent a lovely few hours there.
Oh, and there were a lot of cats so… Villeneuve-Loubet bribed us!
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Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Villeneuve-Loubet?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Villeneuve-Loubet:
Where to sleep in Villeneuve-Loubet?
Villa Azur
Villa Azur in Villeneuve-Loubet is a chic beachfront hotel offering contemporary accommodations with stunning views of the sea. It features elegantly decorated rooms and suites, many with private terraces, providing a serene escape. Guests can enjoy direct beach access, an on-site gourmet restaurant, and proximity to local attractions like Marina Baie des Anges and the charming old town.
Hotel & Restaurant Perla Riviera
Hotel & Restaurant Perla Riviera in Villeneuve-Loubet offers charming and comfortable accommodations with a blend of contemporary design and Provencal style. The hotel features a picturesque outdoor pool, lush garden areas, and an inviting restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can enjoy easy access to nearby beaches, the scenic Marina Baie des Anges, and the historic center of Villeneuve-Loubet.
Mercure Plage
Mercure Villeneuve Loubet Plage is a stylish beachfront hotel offering modern rooms with sea or garden views. The hotel boasts a rooftop swimming pool, a sun terrace, and direct access to the beach, creating a perfect spot for relaxation and sunbathing. Conveniently located near the Marina Baie des Anges, it provides easy access to local dining, shopping, and the charming Côte d'Azur coastline.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
Villeneuve-Loubet, France - Map of places
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