Beautiful apartment with large terrace over the Meditteranean sea

Our family of four plus grandma spent a week here in August 2011. The apartment was everything it promised, with a lovely view over a busy harbour and all mod cons including a top quality dishwasher, washing and dryer. Temperatures exceeded 30 degrees C across our stay which meant we really enjoyed swimming in the lovely cool sea. The beach was busy, but steps into the sea are just five minutes walk from the apartment. We were grateful to previous occupants who left goggles and snorkels as the snorkelling is wonderful just off the rocks. Villefranche itself is expensive, but the apartment was clean and well supplied with basics so we did not have to waste money buying these as soon as we arrived. It is lovely to have a boulangerie within a minute's walk from the apartment (although you have to get there early to have a good choice of pastries) and a little casino grocer has supplies for picnics. An outing to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild across the bay is very worthwhile and we enjoyed an afternoon cruise from the port below the apartment. We also went to Monaco for the day (with a picnic) and enjoyed visiting the Oceanographic Institute. The local buses are excellent (1 Euro regardless of the length of your trip) but do ask at the tourist office for information about where to get off the bus and pay attention, as the buses do not stop unless requested to. Also, even though it's not far from Nice airport, it takes the shuttle bus and another bus to get to the station, and then you may have to wait for ages for a train on a Saturday afternoon. If you're feeling flush, the 50 Euro fee for a taxi might be worthwhile if you're in a hurry to start your holiday.