Saint-Paul de Vence

The old town of Saint-Paul de Vence looks like a nest from a distance. The village is built on top of a small elliptical hill and is surrounded by a high wall. It is worth seeing this artistic mecca on the French Riviera.

Saint-Paul de Vence (also called simply, Saint Paul) lies near Nice, between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Vence. St-Paul is a medieval village, and today it is a real mecca for artists, who have been coming here since 1920. Among others, Picasso, Dufy, Matisse, and Marc Chagall have stayed here and created their works. Chagall lived in St-Paul for 19 years and is buried in the local cemetery (on the right after entering the cemetery).

The village has also hosted world cinema stars, including Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, and Catherine Deneuve. The artists usually spent the night in a hotel and restaurant called the Colombe d’Or, which is located in front of the walls of the old town. Apparently, the most famous of them paid for their stay in kind, leaving their works for the owner.

Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval village on the French Riviera

Visiting the old town of St-Paul de Vence should not take more than about 1.5 hours (without visits to museums).

The medieval fortress of Saint-Paul de Vence

The old town of Saint-Paul de Vence was built on a small hill, from which there is a view of the whole area. The village lies a few kilometers from the sea, but you can see the coast between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Antibes. To the north-west you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Maritime Alps. In the Middle Ages, it was an ideal location for erecting a fortress surrounded by thick walls.

A medieval village on the French Riviera

Some of the buildings of historic St-Paul even date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The city walls were built in 1538 by Francis I Valois, King of France, who sat on the throne from 1515 to 1547. In the second half of the 19th century, the town’s inhabitants had to buy these walls to protect them from destruction.

What to do in Saint-Paul de Vence?

Saint-Paul de Vence is not so famous for its countless tourist attractions, as it is a great attraction in itself. It is worth walking the main street of the village – rue Grande – which leads from the entrance at the north gate (Porte de Vence) to the end of the village, where the cemetery is located just behind the southern gate.

Along the way, you will pass charming little galleries, shops, restaurants, and art studios, which in Saint-Paul de Vence, are a dime a dozen. One of the more often photographed attractions is the impressive fountain in the Place de la Grande Fontaine. During the Middle Ages it was the most important place in the old town.

Saint-Paul de Vence

At the highest point in the village there was once a castle, but unfortunately today only a small building is left in which the city hall is located. Right next to it stands a church from the 14th century, which was raised to collegiate status (Collégiale de la Conversion-de-Saint-Paul) in the 17th century. Nearby is the Chapel of White Penitents from the 17th century (La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs), which was restored and decorated at the beginning of the 21st century by the Belgian artist, Jean-Michele Folon. Entry to the chapel is paid – admission costs €4 (€3 reduced). Opposite there is also a city museum (the tickets are the same price).

Fondation Maeght

Near the old town of Saint-Paul is another attraction recommended by all the guides. This place is purportedly a treat for art lovers – Fondation Maeght – a private museum with collections of European modern and contemporary art. If you are interested, I refer you to the site fondation-maeght.com. This is supposedly one of the most famous establishments of this type in the world – so maybe it’s worth seeing.

How to get to Saint-Paul de Vence

Saint-Paul is easily reached by scooter; other options are car or bus. Line 400 runs from Nice (Parc Phoenix stop) ending its route in Vence. The ticket costs €1.50 one way.