A Surprise Proposal in the Heart of Villefranche-sur-Mer¶
Proposal Planning¶
In late October, S and N visited Villefranche-sur-Mer during a cruise stop and booked a photo session from 14:30 to 15:00. With cruise schedules, late afternoon is usually the only option before returning to the ship. While this time of day can be a little bright, we simply work with the light available and make the most of it.
S was the one who initially reached out to organise the session. She wanted beautiful photographs from their time on the Riviera, completely unaware that N was planning to propose at the very beginning of the shoot.
The Proposal Moment in the Old Town¶
We started in the old town, on the charming street that opens up to a breathtaking view of the church in the background, Église Saint-Michel. From this elevated viewpoint, you can see the rooftops cascading down towards the sea, with the church standing prominently behind. It is one of the most picturesque spots in Villefranche-sur-Mer.
This was where N chose to propose.
What S believed was simply the start of her photo session quickly turned into an unforgettable surprise. Her reaction was completely genuine, full of emotion and shock. It was the perfect setting for such an important moment, with the historic architecture and sweeping view framing the proposal beautifully.
Exploring the Waterfront¶
After the proposal, we continued the session through the village and down towards the waterfront along Quai de l’Amiral Courbet. The colourful buildings, fishing boats, and soft reflections on the water provided a relaxed and romantic atmosphere.
Earlier in the planning, the session had been intended mainly as portraits for S, so the transition into couple photographs felt natural and effortless.
Of course, we couldn’t finish the session without the solo shots that S had planned to do during the shoot.
A Cruise Stop to Remember¶
What began as a simple excursion photoshoot became a life changing moment at the very start. From the old town viewpoint to the waterfront below, the entire session unfolded seamlessly.
Even with the constraints of a cruise timetable and brighter afternoon light, the setting and the surprise made it an unforgettable experience for both of them.
Planning Your Own Proposal in Villefranche-sur-Mer?¶
If you're dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime proposal in a setting as breathtaking as this, we would love to help capture your story. Whether in Villefranche-sur-Mer, another town on the French Riviera, the lavender fields of Provence, or another magical destination, we specialise in preserving the emotions and beauty of your most unforgettable moments.
Read our guide to our favourite proposal locations on the French Riviera: