Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Medieval fortress village in Alpes-Maritimes, France.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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