WHERE IS SAINT PAUL DE VENCE AND WHAT TO DO THERE?

While visiting Nice and the Cote d’Azur you should also head to Saint Paul de Vence. This is an ideal location to discover and stay on the French Riviera. Saint Paul de Vence is located in the hinterland of Cagnes, between the coastal towns of Nice and Antibes, just 7 km from the seaside, with some famous nearest beaches only a few kilometers away.

 

How to get to Saint Paul de Vence

Here are the distances between Saint Paul de Vence ad the major cities of the Côte d’Azur. Nice and its airport are only 20 kilometers away and you will have some of the best beach resorts within 15 kilometers from Saint Paul with Antibes, Cannes, Cagnes sur Mer and even Monaco only 50 kilometers away.

 

What to visit in Saint-Paul de Vence?

A few kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, perched on the Southern Alps, this small charming village enjoys an ideal location to discover the French Riviera and spend a pleasant stay relaxation and discovery.

Saint-Paul de Vence is also known for its cultural and artistic note. Here, in the heart of the Alpes Maritimes, on the french Riviera, you will find art museums and the great fondation maeght nested in the surrounding hills.

This 16th century village was always, thanks to the diversity of its art galleries, one of the meeting points of artists such Marc Chagall  loving to find inspiration on the Cote d’Azur.

 

The medieval vestiges

The small village of Saint-Paul de Vence is one of the nicest village sin France. This is a residence village with luxurious villas nested in the medieval towns of south of France. With it is remapart built in the 16th century, the beautiful village will charm you as soon as you arrive by preserving its medieval side.

The remains of the ramparts encircling the old town testify to its military past and its history. Head to two historic monuments withing the village: the three-story Esperon square tower, then the machicolated tower a few meters away, also known as “Porte de Vence” because of its orientation.

 

The Castle’s Dungeon

Let’s stay in the medieval setting and let’s go now to discover the dungeon (12th to 14th century) which is the only remaining element of the castle of Saint-Paul de Vence. Currently, it is the city hall that benefits from its walls.

 

The Church of the Conversion of St. Paul

A few steps from the keep, was built the church of the conversion of St. Paul, overlooking the entire village. It has been built for several centuries which explains the diversity of period styles that we can observe inside. This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Saint-Paul de Vence.

 

The Chapel of the White Penitents

Then, continue your way by approaching the chapel which represented the seat of the brotherhood of white Penitents, dating from the seventeenth century. Following a restoration in 2000, it was decorated by Jean-Michel Folon, a Belgian artist.

 

The market of Saint Paul de Vence

On Wednesday, do not miss the peasant market that will welcome you with open arms with excellent local products, in the village square.

 

The Pontis

Then head towards the pontis, dating from the fifteenth century, where you will discover under its vault a beautiful studded wooden door.

 

The place of the big fountain and the oil mill

One of the authentic places to visit in Saint-Paul de Vence is that of the large fountain that once welcomed all the inhabitants of Saint-Paul de Vence for the accomplishment of their daily activities such as washing clothes, drinking animals, taking water, etc.

Give yourself a little walk to the oil mill. It operated hydraulically using the water that came from the aqueduct.

 

The Garden of the Maeght Foundation

If you are an art and nature lover this park is made for you!. You will find great artworks from artists such as Miro and Zadkine, as well as many other, and the whole thing is charged with this natural light and vibe that only Saint Paul de Vence can give.

 

Saint Paul de Vence, an inspiration for the artists

One can only imagine why many artists have made their home in the small village of St Paul de Vence. The atmosphere of the streets and ramparts transports us to another time. Chagall lived there at the end of his life in a villa near the historic center. He also participated in the creation of the Maeght Foundation (which we did not have time to visit, unfortunately …) You can see his grave at the small village cemetery. Some mosaics are also visible outside the walls of the fortified village.

 

Around Saint Paul de Vence

Don’t hesitate to go out and discover the area around when taking residence in the village of Saint Paul de Vence. There are so many amazing landscapes and things to discover, that you will come back with unforgettable memories. Jump in some comfortable shoes and head to some of the hiking trails that leave from this amazing village … I know you will be amazed by so many natural beauties and landscapes.

Then when you are done with your hiking trails, you can always head back to Nice or Antibes and chill at some of the best beach resorts on the Cote d’Azur.

Now you know more about what you’re looking for at Saint-Paul de Vence, simply select the perfect activities for your stay in Saint Paul de Vence.

The historic village is full of art galleries of more or less high quality. Open your eyes to discover magnificent works. If art is your hobby, take a ticket to discover the Folon Chapel (or the chapel of the white penitents). The Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon was also a great fan of Saint Paul de Vence. The chapel is also the last work he created to pay homage to the brotherhood of white penitents in 2005. This is one of the most beautiful chapels I have had the opportunity to visit. Pastel colors, simple designs, modern windows do not leave indifferent.

 

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