ST. PAUL DE VENCE / VENCE

St. Paul-de-Vence is a beautiful little village of approx. 3500 inhabitants situated 20 km north west of Nice and 180 m above sea level. It takes about 35 min to go there by car. It’s easy to park in the parking at the entrance of the village.
Many famous artists such as Matisse, Chagall, Simone Signoret and Yves Montant have lived here and left their imprints in different ways. 
The streets are famous for their cobbles positioned in a Provencal tradition.

Vence is a city with about 18.000 inhabitants in the hills of Nice Metropole. It takes about 35-40  minutes by car from Nice. It’s easy to park in the underground parking at Place du Grand Jardin. On this square there is an antique market on Wednesdays.
The old city is beautiful with its narrow streets and open squares, lots of nice shops and restaurants. It’s not as touristy as the nearby St.Paul de Vence.

Nice events

Fondation Maeght

623 Chem. des Gardettes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The Maeght Foundation in St. Paul de Vence is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary this summer and presents a special Exhibition focusing on the friendly and respectful relationship between Pierre Bonnard and Henri Matisse, and traces their links with the Maeght familly.

Until 6th of October 

myniceisnice_Excursions_St Paul de Vence_cemetary
Cemetery

Chemin de Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

In 1949, Chagall bought a house in Vence and today he rests in the cemetery alongside his wife, Vava, and her brother, Michel. 

Cypress trees, several centuries old, shade the tombs. 

Nice visits  

myniceisnice_St. Paul_Place du jeu de boule
Place du Jeu de Boules

St. Paul de Vence

A legendary square edged with century-old plane trees where the villagers like to gather. Yves Montand and Lino Ventura engaged in hotly disputed games of pétanque here. 
The Café de la Place stands on one side: its terrace is the perfect spot for enjoying the atmosphere. 
The famous Colombe d’Or is on the other side. Its regulars included the greatest artists of the 20th century

myniceisnice_Excursions_St Paul de Vence_cemetary
Cemetery

Chemin de Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

In 1949, Chagall bought a house in Vence and today he rests in the cemetery alongside his wife, Vava, and her brother, Michel. 

Cypress trees, several centuries old, shade the tombs. 

myniceisnice_Excursions_St Paul de Vence_Rue Grande
Rue Grande

Saint Paul-de-Vence

Take the time to browse along Rue Grande, wandering into artist studios, art galleries, boutiques and craft shops.

Colombe d’Or

Place du Général de Gaulle, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

This was a famous restaurant and very popular among painters and film stars during the 20th century. The hotel and restaurant consist of an old stone house full of art from the 20th until today. 
It’s still managed by the Roux family. 

The restaurant is rather expensive, but a lunch at the terrace during low season is affordable.

I like – the feeling of being part of the history

Le Vieux Moulin

10 Rte de Vence, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The restaurant is situated in a former mill at the entrance of the village in a 17th-century house. The owner is passionate about cooking and interior design. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine that is both simple and sophisticated, based on quality traditional and seasonal products. 

We had a delicious warm Goat cheese salad for lunch.

I like – the old mill accessoiries

Memoire de famille

1, Place du General de gaulle, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

This concept of home decoration objects define itself as “shabby-chic and contemporary”. 

Each object and furniture only exist in small quantities so that every customer can find its own, personal style. 

The staff is professional and ready to give tips and advice.

myniceisnice_Excursions_St Paul de Vence_Fondation Maeght

Fondation Maeght

623 Chem. des Gardettes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

La Fondation Maeght is not a museum, it’s a place to present modern and contemporary art.  

The foundation was created in 1964 by Aime and Marguerite Maeght, inspired by their friendship with many important artists of the 20th century such as Miro, Giacometti, Chagall and many more. It should also be a place where their artist friends could visit to create and exchange ideas

Miro has its Labyrinth with sculptures and is also present in the Sculpture garden. Some of Chagall’s paintings are permanently exposed in one of the exhibition halls. And some of the famous Giacometti sculptures are exhibited in the Giacometti Court.

The building itself is in sculpture-like architecture situated in a beautiful park with a view over the Mediterranean. 

Vence

Take a walk in this nice old city admiring the 500 years old Ash tree, the beautiful vaulted entrance to the old town, the old source and fountain, the old cathedral of Vence. Take a coffee with the locals at La Place du Grand Jardin where there is an antique market on Mondays.

myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_the Tree
myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_Well
myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_Antique market

Chapel of the Rosary 

466, avenue Henri Matisse, Vence

This is a very beautiful chapel designed by Henri Matisse. The masterpiece is the stained-glass window, but also the sculptures and the furniture are fantastic.

Henri Matisse moved from Nice to Vence in 1943. He designed this chapel for the Dominican sisters of Vence for the cares provided by Sister Jacques-Marie, his nurse. It was blessed in 1951.

It’s open to the public everyday except Sun-Mon for 11 euros.

myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_Musee de Vence

Vence Museum

2 place du Frêne, Vence

The Vence Museum is situated in the former home of Emile Hugues who was a notair and mayor of Vence.
Exhibitions of modern and contemporary creations are organized in this magnificent house.

At the top floor of is the Matisse space, exposing a collection of Matisse arts donated to the city of Vence.

Until 23 April there is an Exhibition celebrating 75 years of Gallery Chave.

Opening Hours Tue-Sun 11h-18h.

Entrance fee 6 euros.

Gallery Chave

12 & 13, rue Isnard,Vence

Gallery Chave was created in 1947 by Alphonese Chave and taken over by his son, Pierre until 2020 when he died and today his wife Madeleine is the Manager.

It’s an art gallery specializing in “marginal” artists such as George Bru, Max Ernst, Kaliniwasi etc.
It’s an interesting mix of artists who highlight technique, form and sense in drawings, collages, paintings, relief and sculptures. 

The old printing studio where they printed lithographs has been renovated to a beautiful, modern space.

Nice Restaurants

Colombe d’Or

Place du Général de Gaulle, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

This was a famous restaurant and very popular among painters and film stars during the 20th century. The hotel and restaurant consist of an old stone house full of art from the 20th until today. 
It’s still managed by the Roux family. 

The restaurant is rather expensive, but a lunch at the terrace during low season is affordable.

I like – the feeling of being part of the history

Le Vieux Moulin

10 Rte de Vence, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The restaurant is situated in a former mill at the entrance of the village in a 17th-century house. The owner is passionate about cooking and interior design. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine that is both simple and sophisticated, based on quality traditional and seasonal products. 

We had a delicious warm Goat cheese salad for lunch.

I like – the old mill accessoiries

Memoire de famille

1, Place du General de gaulle, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

This concept of home decoration objects define itself as “shabby-chic and contemporary”. 

Each object and furniture only exist in small quantities so that every customer can find its own, personal style. 

The staff is professional and ready to give tips and advice.

myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_Restaurant Cote Jardin
Coté Jardin

10 Avenue Henri Isnard, Vence

myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_Restaurant Le Melting Potes
Le Melting Potes

8 Rue du Marché, Vence

myniceisnice_Excursions_Vence_Restaurant Place Peyra
Place du Peyra

Vence