Saint Paul de Vence

If a romantic ambiance, fine food and wine, art and culture, luxury hotels and charming private villas are the ingredients you seek for your perfect vacation or indulgent weekend break, then Saint Paul de Vence is the place to visit. The historic centre is beautifully preserved and is home to a multitude of art galleries, varying in style, where often you see the artist at work.

Renovated historic buildings, with antiques and heritage intact, have been converted into luxurious four-star hotels to welcome you to a peaceful oasis surrounded by a lush, green, Provencal landscape. With more than two million visitors per year, Saint Paul de Vence is one of the most visited destinations in France.

History of Saint Paul de Vence

Even before entering inside the ramparts of this fortified village, Saint Paul de Vence lures and welcomes you as you approach by the beautiful, winding road leading up the hill. En route you catch your first glimpse of this quaint, perched village. Securely surrounded by fortified walls, Saint Paul de Vence has only one point of entry, which has been perfectly maintained through the years and still possesses one of its original canons. The Lacan cannon (bearing the name of the Captain who defended the town from enemy attacks) served in many battles, managing to defend this beautiful village from invasions by land and sea.

Even if precise information regarding the origins of this historic centre is not known, relics from both Ligurian and Roman settlements have been discovered. The town was known as San Paolo from the 12th century. Of the old castle only the high tower ‘le Donjon’ remains and today serves as the town hall.

Monuments and places of interest

The fountain (a listed historic monument) was built in 1850, and is a well-known, village meeting point. In the past artists, movie stars and celebrities from around the world used to meet here. On the tiny square by the entrance to the town locals, as well as well-known personalities, such as Yves Montand, gather to play pétanque - a traditional game of boules.
The Fondation Marguerite et Aimé Maeght is one of the finest and most unique examples of a private foundation in Europe. This extraordinary architectural ensemble was entirely conceived and financed by Aimé and Marguerite Maeght to display modern and contemporary art.

Access

Saint Paul de Vence is situated inland, about 20 minutes from the coast and Nice and is an ideal starting point for visiting the rest of the region.

SAINT PAUL DE VENCE TOURIST OFFICE
SAINT PAUL DE VENCE TOURIST INFORMATION
Maison de la Tour – 2 Rue Grande
06570 Saint Paul de Vence
Tél : 04 93 32 86 95

tourisme@saint-pauldevence.com
www.saint-pauldevence.com