Les Musees de La Citadelle
Les Musees de La Citadelle
4.5
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Monday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Friday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
49
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Sam MMH
456 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Visiting the Citadel is definitely worth doing while in Villefranche. It is a beautiful old fort and includes spectacular views of the city. However, it is the perfect space for displays of art or exhibits and it simply doesn’t have that which is disappointing.
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
koraxkorakos
10 contributions
May 2014
Quiet place (few visitors), fort with great view over the sea and the town. Most remarkable the exhibition of impresively presented very feminine bronce sculptures and of abstract paintings. Very enjoyable!
Written May 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ARiviera
Antibes, France211 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
Citadelle Saint-Elme is the fortress in Villefranche overlooking the harbour, that was built in the 16th century by the Duke of Savoy to defend the port. It’s basic shape is a trapezoid layout, with a bastion at each corner. Watchtowers were placed on top of the bastions, with sentinels to oversee the ditches during battle.
Today, visitors can wander through the Citadelle and admire the great vantage points over the bay of Villefranche. It is the site of three museums (all with free entry), conference facilities, Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), and Théâtre de Verdure (a venue for concerts and open-air cinema). The Tourist Office also runs guided tours, and can conduct tours in French sign language with prior reservation.
I loved my visit to the Citadelle. While I appreciate it is busy in high season, I visited one morning in April and in 1.5 hours I only saw one other tourist. Fantastic site for history, and free museums though it is lacking in onsite information or maps about the Citadelle itself? I would have loved to have seen an information board or replica model of past battles!
There are free accessible public toilets at the Citadelle. When you cross the drawbridge entrance, continue straight ahead for 300 metres and you will see the sign at the end pointing right to ‘Toilettes’, and the toilets are located at ground level in the terracotta-coloured building.
Volti Museum: Set into vaulted rooms, the Volti Museum has displays by sculptor Antoniucci Volti of curvaceous woman made from bronze, clay and copper. There is a lovely vaulted tunnel with sculptures, and also a sculpture room with seating.
If you have reduced mobility, I have included my travel blog link at the end of this review which gives more detailed information regarding accessibility to the Volti Museum.
The Volti Museum also offer free activity bags for families to find clues, suitable for children 7 years -10 years in English or French, ask at the reception.
Goetz-Boumeester Museum: Many works on display by the American artist Henri Goetz and his wife, Christina Boumeester, the Musée Goetz-Boumeester also has a couple of artworks by Miro and Picasso. The entrance has 6 steps, but the display rooms are all on flat surfaces. There are 8 reproduction casts of some of the artworks in braille, which I thought was a nice idea and something I have never seen at an art gallery before.
Collection Roux: A quirky small Museum with displays of ceramic figurines depicting medieval scenes. Entrance is not-accessible for persons with reduced mobility due to steps, and one display area has steps leading upstairs to it. Small children like this collection as it has figurines of knights on horses, maidens, castles.
Please visit my travel blog for more in-depth information on Villefranche-sur-Mer including the Citadelle museums, train station, location of supermarkets, beaches, playgrounds etc http://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/sightseeing-villefranche-sur-mer-travel-tips-and-local-knowledge/
Today, visitors can wander through the Citadelle and admire the great vantage points over the bay of Villefranche. It is the site of three museums (all with free entry), conference facilities, Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), and Théâtre de Verdure (a venue for concerts and open-air cinema). The Tourist Office also runs guided tours, and can conduct tours in French sign language with prior reservation.
I loved my visit to the Citadelle. While I appreciate it is busy in high season, I visited one morning in April and in 1.5 hours I only saw one other tourist. Fantastic site for history, and free museums though it is lacking in onsite information or maps about the Citadelle itself? I would have loved to have seen an information board or replica model of past battles!
There are free accessible public toilets at the Citadelle. When you cross the drawbridge entrance, continue straight ahead for 300 metres and you will see the sign at the end pointing right to ‘Toilettes’, and the toilets are located at ground level in the terracotta-coloured building.
Volti Museum: Set into vaulted rooms, the Volti Museum has displays by sculptor Antoniucci Volti of curvaceous woman made from bronze, clay and copper. There is a lovely vaulted tunnel with sculptures, and also a sculpture room with seating.
If you have reduced mobility, I have included my travel blog link at the end of this review which gives more detailed information regarding accessibility to the Volti Museum.
The Volti Museum also offer free activity bags for families to find clues, suitable for children 7 years -10 years in English or French, ask at the reception.
Goetz-Boumeester Museum: Many works on display by the American artist Henri Goetz and his wife, Christina Boumeester, the Musée Goetz-Boumeester also has a couple of artworks by Miro and Picasso. The entrance has 6 steps, but the display rooms are all on flat surfaces. There are 8 reproduction casts of some of the artworks in braille, which I thought was a nice idea and something I have never seen at an art gallery before.
Collection Roux: A quirky small Museum with displays of ceramic figurines depicting medieval scenes. Entrance is not-accessible for persons with reduced mobility due to steps, and one display area has steps leading upstairs to it. Small children like this collection as it has figurines of knights on horses, maidens, castles.
Please visit my travel blog for more in-depth information on Villefranche-sur-Mer including the Citadelle museums, train station, location of supermarkets, beaches, playgrounds etc http://accessriviera.wordpress.com/2014/04/27/sightseeing-villefranche-sur-mer-travel-tips-and-local-knowledge/
Written April 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhxTravels
Phoenix, AZ115 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
We arrived in Monaco as part of a Mediterranean cruise. I had read in a tour guide that Villefranche-sur-Mer was one of the most picturesque spots on the Mediterranean -- so we decided to take the train from Monaco and spend most of the day.
Having now visited Villefranche in person, I can report that we found it to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The train ride from Monaco is very quick and was quite inexpensive. When you exit the train station, you immediately begin walking through the wonderful, little village -- atmosphere off the charts and a view and photo opportunity at every turn.
Along our walk, we bumped in to the Musees de la Citadelle and just wandered in. We are so glad we did! Amazing views, beautiful landscaping -- just a joy. (Free of charge, too!)
We'd gladly return to Villefranche-sur-Mer if we get the chance. A cruise ship is a very cost effective way to see it, as well. Taking the short train ride from Monaco or Nice is easy enough. (The train station in Monaco, by the way, incredible)
Having now visited Villefranche in person, I can report that we found it to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The train ride from Monaco is very quick and was quite inexpensive. When you exit the train station, you immediately begin walking through the wonderful, little village -- atmosphere off the charts and a view and photo opportunity at every turn.
Along our walk, we bumped in to the Musees de la Citadelle and just wandered in. We are so glad we did! Amazing views, beautiful landscaping -- just a joy. (Free of charge, too!)
We'd gladly return to Villefranche-sur-Mer if we get the chance. A cruise ship is a very cost effective way to see it, as well. Taking the short train ride from Monaco or Nice is easy enough. (The train station in Monaco, by the way, incredible)
Written July 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrsgilly8
Minneapolis MN50 contributions
Sep 2011 • Couples
We spent the morning at the Citadel which was up the street from our hotel. It was very interesting and worth the visit. There was no charge and there were many interesting things to see in the museum besides walking around the Citadel and looking at the views above the harbor which were spectacular. It was well maintained, easy to walk around in and perfectly safe. I would highly recommend seeing this if you have the time and are spending a few days in Ville Franche sur Mer.
Written March 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KimeFarrell
East Grinstead, UK58 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
If you are staying in VilleFranche go to the tourist office and do the guided tour they offer on a Friday morning. It is 1.5 hours & costs 5 euros each. You get a guided tour of the area ,the Citadel which included the museum with the Volti sculptures. It was a fantastic tour & our knowledgable guide Amber could not have been better, I highly recommend.
Written August 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keepnposted
New York93 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Plan over an hour, much to see because you're entering various museums while touring an old fortress. Has many nooks, tunnels, underground passageways which are museums, also has a beautiful views and gardens and they show movies outdoors sometimes. Make sure you've wandered down every walkway and explored every entryway. If it isn't marked do not enter or no passage then go on in!
Written September 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
baltojo
New Orleans, LA47 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
I have visited Villefranche and the citadelle several times, and I always enjoy coming back here. There are so many aspects to this attraction - history and art in the museums, secret garden, beautiful view and the architecture of the citadelle itself. In addition, there is a wonderfull art exhibit every year during the second weekend of September that I always try to see.
Written September 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Obie_Oberholster
Cape Town Central, South Africa49 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Amazing views of the town around the Citadelle. Personally I love historic buildings and the amount of work that went into the construction. The Citadelle has the added benefit of also being the home for the artwork of Volti which is one of my favorite artists.
Written September 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chrissya88
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
It was my first time in Villefranche and it was wonderful! The Citadelle is just amazing, there were a splendid garden and an open air theatre! The view from there is beautiful and there are some musees really interesting in it! It is really close to the town and beaches !
Written July 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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