Saint Paul de Vence

Discover St Paul de Vence, a beautiful town on the French Riviera

19 km from Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence sits enthroned on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by 16th-century ramparts.

This iconic village on the French Riviera charms visitors with its cobbled streets, art galleries, fortifications, and spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding countryside. Here, you can stroll to the sound of boules clattering on the pétanque court, stop in the shade of a fountain, and soak up an atmosphere where history and creativity come together at every turn. Here is our online guided tour of the village.

A setting between hills and the Mediterranean

Bathed in light, Saint-Paul-de-Vence overlooks a landscape of hills covered with olive trees, cypresses, and vineyards. To the south, the sea sparkles; to the north, the first peaks of the Alps outline the horizon. The pale stone houses with Roman tiles line narrow streets dotted with stairways and flower-filled squares. The facades, weathered by time, reflect the warm hues of the setting sun.

Stroll through the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The entrance is through the Porte de Vence, which leads into the Rue Grande, the main street of the medieval village. Art galleries, craft workshops and decoration shops line the street, mingling the scents of lavender, coffee and heated stone.

In the center, the Grande Fontaine flows peacefully, surrounded by stone benches where you can sit and watch the world go by. Climbing towards the top, you reach the Collegiate Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul, built in the 12th century and enriched with side chapels over the centuries.

Outside the ramparts, the walk along the bastions offers breathtaking views: the sea on one side, the hills and neighboring villages of Vence and La Colle-sur-Loup on the other. The Chapelle des Pénitents is also one of the historic monuments not to be missed in the village of Saint Paul de Vence.

Emblematic sites

The ramparts

A masterpiece of bastioned architecture, they were built in the 16th century to protect the village. Their complete layout allows for a circular walk punctuated by exceptional views.

The Grande Fontaine

Built in 1615, it was for a long time the main water source and the heart of the weekly market.

The Collegiate Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul

A Romanesque and Gothic church, it houses beautiful works of sacred art and a bell tower that dominates the entire Vence region.

La Colombe d'Or

A legendary inn where Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, and Prévert stayed. Its walls are covered with works donated by these artists.

The Maeght Foundation

Just a few minutes' walk away, this is a mecca for modern and contemporary art, surrounded by sculpted gardens.

Local life & events

Saint-Paul-de-Vence lives to the rhythm of its Wednesday morning farmers' market, held in the Place du Jeu-de-Boules, and lively games of pétanque throughout the year.

In summer, exhibitions, concerts, and shows take over the narrow streets and the Maeght Foundation. In winter, when calm returns, you can enjoy the authentic atmosphere of the village and its sunny terraces. The Feast of Saint Claire (August 8-14) is also one of the traditional events not to be missed in the town.

The local cuisine features olive oil, local vegetables, Mediterranean fish, and Bellet wines.