 |
Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France | |
This medieval hill town 22km (14 miles) northeast of Nice is famous for its winding streets, spacious views, and the many artists and celebrities who lived and worked here. |
||
|
|
|
Pablo Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre, Marc Chagall, Simone Signoret, Jacques Prévert and James Baldwin, among other artististic luminaries, have enjoyed the Mediterranean light, fresh air, and romantic old stones of this well-preserved medieval town. It's a popular excursion destionation, of course, easily reached by car or public transport. La Colombe d'Or is Saint-Paul's most famous hostelry, having hosted the most celebrities, but with only 13 suites, it's often fully booked. No matter. There are numerous villas for rent throughout the area. More... Local restaurants, crowded in the warm months, provide sustinence. Fondation MaeghtThe headline art gallery here is the Fondation Maeght, at 623 Chemin des Gardettes, a modern art complex on a beautifully landscaped hilltop campus a 20-minute walk northwest of the medieval town. Works by Arp, Bonnard, Braque, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Hepworth, Kandinsky, Léger, Miró, Richier, and more recent artists are featured in a modern complex designed by Catalan architect Josep Lluís Sert. TransportationIn a car, taxi or by Rideshare App, the trip from Place Garibaldi in Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence along winding hillside streets (map) takes about 40 minutes. Expect large crowds and parking problems in summer. By train and bus, take a TER train from Nice west to the Cagnes-sur-Mer station, then Bus 655 from the train station to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Bus tickets may be purchased from the driver on the bus. Depending on your train-and-bus connection, the journey takes about 90 minutes. Use the SNCF-Connect and ZOU! smartphone apps to plan your route.
Where to StayThe crowds come to Saint-Paul-de-Vence during the daytime. If you stay overnight, you can experience the town in the peaceful evening and serene morning. For a relaxing interlude, rent a villa. Most have swimming pools. Look here:
Tip: the Fondation CAB is a historic mansion just across the road from the Fondation Maeght, between the Maeght and the hilltop town, an easy walk to both places.
|
|
|
