Photos and Memories
of
Villefranche-Sur-Mer

( or, "Villa" as we knew it. )

26 July, 2018

Villefranche-sur-Mer is located about 4 miles east of Nice and 16 miles west of Monaco and has one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean. It has been a favorite stop since before World War I for the United States Navy. Villefranche was the home port of the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet from 1948 to 1966. In 1967 when General de Gaulle took France out of NATO, the U.S. Navy left "Villa" and relocated to Gaeta, Italy. However U.S. Navy vessels still visit this gem of the Mediterranean on a regular basis.

U.S.S. Little Rock at Villefranche in the early 1960's

Photo Submitted by Rodger Shilling YN3 1962-1965

Photos below are from the 1962-1963 Cruise Book and from Little Rock Crew Members (Click on photo for a larger view.)
"Villa" Harbor View 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo	Villefranche-sur-Mer Anchorage 1963 USS Little Rock is upper-left. Photo contributed by Robert Ernst, LTJG 1962-1965
Villefranche Harbor Photo by Robert Ernst, LTJG 1962-1965	Liberty Launch 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo
Villefranche Waterfront 1963 USS Little Rock boat in foreground Photo contributed by Robert Ernst, LTJG 1962-1965	Harborside in Villefranche 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo
Stairway to Bar La Fontaine 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo	More Stairs!! 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo
A slower pace in Villefranche 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo	Villefranche-sur-Mer Hillside 1962-63 Cruise Book Photo
Ladies fishing in Ville's harbor watch yet another Liberty Boat arrive from the Little Rock. 1964 photo by LT William Glass (1963-65)	An old postcard of the harbor at Villefranche-sur Mer. The postcard is undated. The picture appears to be a lithograph of a painting. The printing at the top reads: "3233  VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER La Rade et l'Escadre" (Postcard is ca. 1920)
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Photos from Glenn Krochmal ET3 1962-63 In April 2008 Glenn Krochmal revisited Villefranche Sur Mer with his wife. Here's what he had to say: "....We stayed in Monaco and it has changed substantially. Huge apartment buildings were everywhere. My first thought was, this trip was for naught as the changes over 4+ decades has substantially changed all that I remember.  Two days later we took the train (it might have been one of the cars from 1963) to Villefranche.  When we alit from the train and walked down the hill to the "Ville", I noticed that the ticket booth was gone.  Tickets had become electronic and dispersed from machines.  We walked down the waterfront and it was almost the same as the last time I was ashore from the Little Rock. As we walked southwards on the shore, I noticed that there is now a large building where the fleet landing used to be. My wife and I climbed to the 04 level looking for the Montana Bar.  The building was there with the same furniture, but the name had changed.  We had lunch at one of the many bistros on the water.  My wife indicated I had an idiotic grin on my face and asked why.  I told her that in my mind I could see my cruiser swinging on her anchor in the bay.  I visualized  myself and my shipmates as we were at 19 & 20 years of age.  For a moment, I felt like the sailor I was, but alas, youth has passed. But regardless of how many years go by, the years on the Little Rock helped define the man I became."
The train station at Villefranche Sur Me	Villefranche harborside
Ville's famous stairs!	Glenn Krochmal reliving Villefranche
Villa's harbor (USS Little Rock's old anchorage.)	Liberty Boat Landing (Note the new building)
Villa's harbor viewed from Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild	Villefranche's VERY unique trees.

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