North Africa / Villefranche-sur-mer

Domino is brought out to be sold in "North Africa"

The stupid semi-ending of Never say never again takes place at Largo's residence 'Palmyra', supposedly located in North Africa. Bond is kept prisoner and Domino is being sold in some kind of town square below Palmyra. Some Africans are riding in to bid for Domino but she is rescued by Bond on a horse just before the most stupid chase in the Bond history begins.

Villefranche-sur-mer in the summer of 2010

The scenes were filmed in the south of France, namely Villefranche-sur-mer, between Nice and Monaco where the film team was based for about two months in the fall of 1982. The exterior of Palmyra is La Citadelle, a fortress built in the 1550's, just by the water in Villefranche-sur-mer. Today it is a parking lot where the podium was placed in the film. The fortress was in use until 1965 and was partially opened for visits in 1981.

Bond escapes with Domino on horse back

A lot of the scenes filmed in Villefranche have been covered earlier. The exterior of Fort Carré in Antibes was also used as the exterior in a few shots when we see Palmyra for the first time. The location of the horse back chase is hard to determine but it is fairly safe to assume that Connery at least didn't ride up on the Citadel himself.

When Bond escapes from Largo's prison cell he hangs out the window opening and pulls out one of the guards in order to escape through the door. This part of Palmyra can be found just behind the parking lot. It is fairly accurate since Bond looks out the opening and can see Domino from the cell, but in reality the facade is facing the wrong way. In the picture to the left you can see the small window opening and the fact that it isn't any water beneath it. Like most of the action, dialogue and the rest of Never say never again, these final scenes are very stupid and it's a mystery how they could end up with action like this. Not much in the film makes sense and if it would have the honor to be compared with the rest of the official films in the series, it would definitely end up last on the list (even though it is a close call with Diamonds are forever). That said, the film has a few memorable scenes, like the tango between Bond and Domino in Monte Carlo. Connery also appears to be more dedicated here and is definitely better looking than he was in Diamonds 12 years earlier.

Bond hangs out the window opening and waits for the guard to arrive

You get a very brief glimpse of the Citadelle from Largo's yacht when Connery drops in for lunch and the steward brings him up on deck. When looking back towards the Citadel from the water, like in the picture below, you get an overall view of the location.

The wall with the gate was built for the film and it is in reality just an opening towards the water. Even though the scenes from the French riviera are the most enjoyable to watch, the Citadelle is a rather boring location. However it is almost impossible to miss and Villefranche-sur-mer is a classic filming location featured in both The Persuaders and Ronin that is well worth a visit!

La Citadelle (Palmyra) to the right and Port de la Darse (where Fatima Blush gets the last bullet) to the left.  Largos yacht, the flying Saucer is anchored in the bay. 

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild / Palmyra - part 1

In Never say never again Bond is taken to Largo's home in North Africa, Palmyra. The exterior shots pictures Palmyra like some kind of fort, but the interior scenes were filmed at one of the most beautiful buildings on the Côte d'Azur, namely Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at Saint-Cap-Ferrat. It was constructed between 1905 and 1912 by the Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild who was a part of the Rothschild banking family of France. The villa is situated on the narrowest part of the Saint-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, overlooking the Mediterranean on both sides.

Largo enters with Bond and Domino only to have Bond captured and imprisoned. After a quick dialogue with Domino she is taken away and put up for sale in the courtyard, a very stupid scene. This courtyard and exterior of Palmyra was filmed at the citadelle in the center of Villefranche-sur-mer, which is only a few kilometers away.

                     "Bond, the game is over!"  

The Baroness definitively chose one of the best sites on the Riviera for her house and among her other accomplishments is the commission of the Rothschild Fabergé egg in 1902. The villa is surrounded by nine gardens, all with a different theme, for instance a Japanese, a French, a Spanish and a rose garden. The entire estate was registered as a historical monument in 1996. Also the rooms in the house have a different theme and the villa holds along with art and exceptional furniture the Baroness' own extensive collection of French porcelain.   

Unfortunately they were preparing an opera at the time of my visit so the main hall was filled with chairs and spotlights. Even though this is probably the least interesting Bond location on the entire Riviera, the villa is beautiful and the theme gardens are magnificent by themselves and well worth a visit, even if you are not normally into flowers.

The house can also be seen in the last part of the mini-series "If tomorrow comes" by Sidney Sheldon, starring Tom Berenger, Madolyn Smith and Liam Neeson from 1986. It is then called 'Villa di Nantegna' and is the subject of a break in and the theft of a Da Vinci.

 "It holds Béatrice's collection of French porcelain, considered to be the richest in France, if not the World."

Visit the foundation's website to find out about events and opening hours. 

villa-ephrussi website

Villefranche-sur-mer, part 2

Domino arriving at the old port

A large part of Never say never again was filmed in Villefranche-sur-mer on the French riviera. The first scene, filmed in the center of the village, shows Domino arriving at the old harbor with a speedboat from Largo's yacht that are anchored in the bay. When she gets ashore she is followed by Bond to "La centre de la santé". Bond following Domino and the view from the villa is covered in part 1.

The old harbour where Domino gets ashore is located at 'Quai de L'Amiral Courbet' in the center of Villefranche-sur-mer. The same pier is used today by launches from the large cruise ships that anchor in the bay, bringing in passengers for a days stroll in the village. Along the quay and the 'Promenade des Marinières' you can find a lot of great restaurants and cafés and it is a good idea to have lunch or a few drinks here.

The view over the marina and the Mediterranean is magnificent here in the heart of the French riviera. This location, namely the old harbor, has also featured in an episode of ''The Persuaders!'' among many other films. Sir Roger and Tony Curtis are having drinks by the quay in the episode "the gold Napoleon", ordering an americano and a lemonade respectively.

Promenade des Marinières

On the other side of the village at Port de la Darse, or the new harbour, the final scene of the Fatima Blush car chase was filmed. Bond is chasing Blush on his Q-bike (most of the other scenes were filmed in Menton) and the chase ends when Fatima drives her Renault into an old warehouse in Port de la Darse. Bond is lured to follow her only to get caught by a closing gate inside the building.

You can find the old warehouse on the street 'Chemin du Lazaret' that runs alongside the marina. Inside you can also find the metal gates that traps Bond so it is fair to assume that even the interior scenes, including the dialogue between Bond and Fatima were filmed on location. At least the ending with Leiter "coming to the rescue" was filmed inside this building.

On the other side of the marina is the spot where Bond jumps his motorcycle over the water. Hard to say exactly where but the house with the yellow facade is recognizable from the film. Bond is probably coming from 'Promenade des Proffesseurs' and jumps over to 'Chemin du Lazaret' before he drives into the warehouse after Blush.




Bond's villa can also be found in Villefranche-sur-mer, in the gated community just above the village.

Unfortunately, I have not visited the villa yet so no close ups are avaliable. But  the house is visible from the village. You recognize the red facade in the left picture. It is on the balcony of this villa that Bond observes Domino and Largo aboard the Flying Saucer in the Villefranche-sur-mer bay.

Between the old harbor and Port de la Darse is the Citadel located, an old fort where the exterior shots of Largo's Palmyra (supposedly in north Africa) were filmed. The Citadel and Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (the interior scene of Palmyra) will be covered later.

Early morning sun over Port de la Darse

Villefranche-sur-mer, côte d'azur - part 1

In Never say never again Bond follows Largo's yacht to the south of France. After being picked up at the airport in Nice, Nicole (agent 326), takes him and Leiter to a villa with a magnificent view over the Mediterranean. This villa is situated just above the bay in Villefranche-sur-mer, on the French Riviera.

Villefranche-sur-mer is a beautiful village conveniently located approx. 15-25 min. from Monaco and Nice in either direction. The bay over which Bond is looking is one of the deepest natural harbours of any ports in the Mediterranean sea. That is why some of the largest cruise ships that can be found in the Mediterranean choose to stop here.




"I found the villa for us, just where you wanted, it's perfect. The Flying saucer has anchored in the bay below..."  -Nicole-

During the film Largo's yacht is anchored in the bay in Villefranche and a lot of scenes were filmed in the village. These scenes will be covered later and it includes Domino arriving at the old harbour, the end of the motorbike chase and some of the scenes at Palmyra.

In one of the first scenes in Villefranche, Bond follows domino to "la centre de la Santé" where he later gives her a massage. This scene was filmed at avenue Sadi Carnot in the touristic center of the village, just above the old harbor. You can see the red harbor house in the background. Very close by is Promenade des Marinières. On this street along the quay you can find a great number of restaurants.

Villefranche-sur-mer is a wonderful village and well worth a visit when on the Riviera. Within walking distance from the center of the village is a beach overlooking the bay. The best time for a visit to the Riviera is definitely early summer (May) or late summer (September-October) since there are less tourists and the climate is as good as in the summer. Perhaps even better, since it is slightly cooler you can wear a blazer without sweating.

The exterior of Largo's house Palmyra was filmed at two different castles, one being the famous Citadelle just behind the old port in Villefranche. The interior scenes was filmed at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild across the bay. Both these locations will be covered later.

The village has also featured in both The Persuaders (The gold Napoleon) with Sir Roger and Tony Curtis, and the action film Ronin with Robert de Niro and Jean Reno.