Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Medieval fortress village in Alpes-Maritimes, France.
Description
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a fortified village on a hilltop in the Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France. Stone walls surround the village core with narrow lanes, galleries, and old buildings from the 16th century among olive trees and wide views over the Mediterranean.
History
The fortifications arose in 1538 on the order of King Francis I to secure the French border against the neighbouring Duchy of Savoy. In the 20th century, painters like Chagall and Matisse moved here and turned the place into a centre for modern art.
Culture
Many painter workshops and studios line the narrow lanes today, where artists work directly in front of visitors and display their pieces. The traditional square under the trees in the centre serves locals as a daily meeting point for pétanque games and conversations in the late afternoon.
Practical
Parking areas sit below the town walls, as no vehicles may enter the centre. The narrow lanes and stairs pose challenges for wheelchairs, so comfortable footwear is advisable for longer walks.
Did you know?
The local cemetery at the edge of the walls holds the grave of Marc Chagall, who lived here for over three decades. Several old stone houses in the village core still have original door frames from the 16th century with engraved year dates and craft marks.
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The French Riviera offers numerous sites beyond the main tourist routes. Medieval hilltop villages such as Èze and Saint-Paul de Vence perch above the coast, while historic fortifications like Fort Carré in Antibes preserve the region's maritime past. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on...
Fondation Maeght
772 mLabyrinth Miró
741 m
Église de la Conversion-de-Saint-Paul de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
91 m
Fontaine de la Grande Rue de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
22 m
Château de Montfort
2.2 km
Ramparts of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
170 mMalvan bridge
1.6 km
Town hall of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
68 m
Abbaye du Canadel
1.9 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Gardette
493 m
The Pitchfork
808 m
Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de La Colle-sur-Loup
1.7 km
Chapelle Sainte-Croix de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
130 m
Chapelle du cimetière de La Colle-sur-Loup
1.5 km
Chapelle Sainte-Claire de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
130 m
Saint-Paul-de-Vence Le Pontil
67 m
Chapelle Saint-Roch de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
1.1 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Consolation de La Colle-sur-Loup
753 m
Chapelle des Pénitents blancs de La Colle-sur-Loup
1.8 km
City gates of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
158 m
Chapelle de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
191 m
Chapelle Saint-Michel de Saint-Paul-de-Vence
253 mScenic viewpoint
188 mScenic viewpoint
3 kmScenic viewpoint
1.6 kmScenic viewpoint
2.3 kmMirador Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Gardette
412 mWork of art
1.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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