St. Paul De Vence Daytrip: Things to See and Do

Discover Saint Paul de Vence

The village of St. Paul de Vence has seen many important personalities pass through its streets and eat in its restaurants, like Picasso, Roger Moor and Jean Paul Sartre. Perched on a hill surrounded by valleys, St. Paul de Vence is both a village and artist’s commune, featuring a number of ateliers (workshops) and art stores. It’s an ideal excursion if you love history and art.

What to Do and See in St. Paul de Vence.

A historical village that’s beautiful all year round, with small paved streets and fountains are typical of Provence. There are a number of small cafés and restaurants along the ramparts that afford superb views of the Var Valley and Provence.

The village is quite small; it takes only a few minutes to cross from one side to the other, but you can spend a full day here discovering the fantastic views off the ramparts, the medieval architecture, amazing and numerous art galleries, museums, and some excellent restaurants.

Art Galleries of Saint Paul de Vence.

St. Paul de Vence is full of galleries and artist’s workshops, plus public statues and works scattered all throughout. You can see artists at work in their studios and staging exhibitions while you wander the cobble-stone streets.

Folon Chapel (or the Chapel of the White Penitents).

The Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon was a great admirer of Saint Paul de Vence. The chapel is his last work, created in homage to the Brotherhood of White Penitents in 2005. The chapel is painted from floor to ceiling in pastel coloured motifs showcasing some of the artist’s best work.

This chapel perched at the top of the village of Saint Paule de Vence is definitely worth a visit. Picture by Tireloup

Foundation Maeght.

The Maeght Foundation is one of the most well-known and renowned art museums in the south of France, as well as one of the largest collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphic works of modern and contemporary artists in Europe, with more than 13 000 artworks. An appreciation of modern art is not essential: the architecture and great variety of canvases and images is astounding in itself, as are the beautiful gardens and water basin.

The foundation Maeght is a living monument to contemporary art. Picture by Warner Bayer.

Lunch Spot: La Colombe d’Or

Located at the entrance of the village before the ramparts gate, La Colombe d’Or has a very particular character, showcased by the mix of foliage and art that adorns its patio. The owner of the restaurant was a patron of the arts; artists would often come here and exchange their work against a few meals – so now the restaurant is a veritable art museum.

The works of art on the walls, gifts from famous painters, attest to the exceptional quality of the dishes served. Picture by José-Arlindo S. DeSouza.

Vence

To continue your visit, you can go to Vence, a chic village in the hinterlands and next to St. Paul de Vence. The town is located at the foot of enormous boulders called Baous and at the confluence of three rivers. It’s a little piece of paradise that has seduced many for centuries.

Away from the glitter of the Côte d’Azur, Vence has attracted many renowned artists who quietly drew their inspiration here, like Marc Chagall, or Henri Matisse who built the famous Chapel of the Rosary. Today, workshops and artists’ galleries are present throughout Vence.

The Vence Old Town has many excellent restaurants as well, so it’s a great place to stop for lunch or dinner after exploring Eze. Just be sure to catch the last buses back to Nice before 7PM.

Vence breathes the charm of old Provence. Picture by Claude.