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France > France regions > Provence > Alpes-Maritimes > (Cote d'Azur) > Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is found on the French Riviera, a little way inland from Cagnes-sur-Mer and close to Vence. The 'correct' name for the town is simply 'Saint Paul' although 'Saint-Paul-de-Vence' has now been widely adopted.

St-Paul-de-Vence is one of the most beautiful and most visited villages in France.

A beautiful perched village of Provence, it has attracted many artists during the last century - starting with Modigliani on the 1920's - and now has a very high reputation as an artistic village, and as a place of great natural beauty. Picasso, Braque and Miro are among the other well known artists who stayed at St-Paul-de-Vence.

This legacy continued into the 1960's when the village was host to many renowned French film actors and directors.

Many of the artistic community, when less well known, stayed and eat at the Colombe d'Or hotel - which frequently accepted works of art as payment in kind, and now has one of the finest private art collections hanging on its walls!

This artistic legacy has given rise to an especially fine art museum on the edge of the town, the Fondation Maeght. The modern art museum (founded by art dealers from Cannes who dealt with many of the painters on show) features an exceptional collection of painting, sculptures and artworks of the 20th century - the areas featuring Miro sculptures and Giacometti sculptures in natural settings are among the many highlights.

Even non-art-lovers will find much to enjoy in the old lanes of the village surrounded by the ancient (16th century) town walls, and the views over the surrounding countryside. There are many attractive medieval houses and attractive facades among the narrow streets and (especially if you can visit outside high season, and early in the morning) you will feel a bond with the artists who have come before.

Be sure to pay close attention to the houses and try and spot some of the statues niched within the walls.

Not surprisingly there is a large number of cafes, boutiques, and especially art and craft shops so you can take your own piece of St-Paul-de-Vence art home with you.

Note: busy even by the standards of 'beautiful Provence villages' it is said that more than 2 million visitors come to Saint-Paul-de-Vence each year. This is a lot for a small village! Do try and get here very early...

 

Saint-Paul-de-Vence: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, hilltop village in provence
Plan a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France

 

Hotels Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Holiday rentals / travel

Property for sale Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Map of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France
Places to visit - Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Saint-Paul-de-Vence are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)

 

Information and photos

This travel guide has information, holidays and photos of Saint-Paul-de-Vence when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.

 


 

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