Rade de Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche Roads · Villefranche bay
43°42.2'N 007°19.4'E
Depth
8–40m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
150m
Holding
Excellent Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
150m
150m minimum due to depth. Excellent holding. Extra chain required — depth 8–25m at typical anchoring spots. Mistral shelter is exceptional.
About This Anchorage
Rade de Villefranche is one of the finest anchorages on the entire Côte d'Azur — a deep natural fjord-like bay with outstanding Mistral protection, excellent holding, and one of the most beautiful medieval villages on the Riviera. The deep water (up to 80m in the centre) made it the NATO 6th Fleet's historic anchorage — US warships anchored here throughout the Cold War. The village of Villefranche-sur-Mer is spectacular: ochre buildings, steep alleys, and Jean Cocteau's decorated chapel. Nice, Monaco, and Cap Ferrat are within 5nm.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · W
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Speed limit 5kt. DONIA app recommended (Posidonia in shallower areas). Avoid anchoring over the submarine cable (marked on charts). Large vessels may not anchor in the designated military area.
Hazards
- !Deep water (8–40m): requires extra chain — minimum 5:1 scope in 15m = 75m of chain
- !SE Marin swell can make anchorage uncomfortable — leave if SE above F4
- !Cruise ship day calls bring tender and ferry traffic
Skipper's Tips
- →Best Mistral shelter on the eastern Riviera — if Mistral is forecast, Villefranche is the go-to anchorage.
- →The Jean Cocteau Chapel (Chapelle Saint-Pierre) by the quay is a unique experience.
- →Monaco is 8nm E — a glamorous day sail in good weather.
Facilities
Excellent restaurants in Villefranche village, open year-round. Jean Cocteau chapel worth visiting.
Nearest provisions: Villefranche / Nice (5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Year-round capable — excellent Mistral shelter. Best May–June and September.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 150m
Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position continuously and sounds an instant alert if your boat drifts outside your set radius — critical on the Côte d'Azur where the Mistral can arrive overnight.
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