Saint Paul de Vence
Located 12 km west of Nice and its airport, 16 km from Antibes, and 26 km from Cannes, Saint Paul de Vence was originally settled by the Greeks, the Romans took over this area in approximately the 2nd century BC! Eventually the Roman Empire collapsed, and due to general feeling of insecurity caused by many marauders, the “perched villages” started to make their appearance, and the château de Saint-Paul rose over the village. Unfortunately the only remaining part of this château is the dungeon. In 1227, Saint Paul became a city of notoriety as well as notables, as you’ll see if you visit the hawthorn bush that bears red blooms and listen to the story told about it.
As history progressed ramparts were built around the city, and to this day you will be able to admire a greater part of the ramparts, and see how the light strikes them, enabling them to actually glow in the very special luminosity that the area has.
It is now a prestigious village inhabited by both artists as well as visitors. Many very famous artists have come to paint in Saint Paul de Vence, among them being Dufy, Modigliani, Signac, Renoir, Chagall, Soutine, and Matisse.
Writers who have been inspired by Saint Paul de Vence include Prévert, Cocteau, Giono, and Gide. Script writers have worked here, as well as the actors and actresses that act in the scripts, such as Tony Curtis, Roger Moore, Romy Schneider, Simone Signoret, Lino Ventura, and Yves Montand!
Be sure to catch the cemetery at St. Paul de Vence, where Marc Chagall’s tombstone is located. The American writer James Baldwin died in Saint Paul de Vence too.
Be sure to visit Fondation Maeght for its huge collection of drawings, paintings, sculptures, as well as many other graphic works that emanated from the XX°century.
Some of the better-known hotels in Saint Paul de Vence are “Le Robinson” which today is known as la Colombe d’Or, it is not only a hotel complete with pool and fascinating views, but it is also one of the better known restaurants in the area as well.
It is rated 4 stars, thus appeals to many people seeking tranquility as well as art, which dominate the hotel, and the furnishings are antiques, even though this is not sumptuous luxury.
You may wish to stay at the Hotel Cantemerle, which has a delightful indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool and a spa with both sea and mountain views. The Hotel Cantemerle also has facilities for the disabled.
The Hotel Le Saint Paul, also has a restaurant that is rated 4 stars, besides having lovely rooms and suites available and it too, as many of the hotels of Saint Paul de Vence has art to be discovered everywhere!
As you stroll through the amazing picturesque streets of the Saint Paul de Vence village, you will note that there are streets that are intended for pedestrians only. This way you can slowly admire the incredible stone façades that were constructed in the 16th to the 18th century.
The streets can only be described as totally charming. There are shady squares everywhere, many flanked by ancient fountains with intimate porches, gateways and the amazing window gardens that many have!
The various gardens alone will lure you into taking out your camera very often too.
Wonderful too is the Nice airport is only 20 minutes away!
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