St-Paul-de-Vence
St-Paul-de-Vence is located in the Alpes Maritimes department, halfway between Nice and Antibes. Like neighbouring Vence, St-Paul-de-Vence is one of the great gems in the hinterland. The interest surrounding Vence and St-Paul is understandable. Both cities have great historical appeal and the area has long been a thriving artistic centre. St-Paul-de-Vence is claimed to be the most visited tourist attraction in France after Mont St-Michel. St-Paul-de-Vence is one of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in the area. It is also one of the most intact medieval villages in the entire region. Everything is well maintained. Nothing is allowed to decay. It's overwhelming. St-Paul-de-Vence is surrounded by city walls built in 1536, all intact. A stroll around the walls gives you the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent surroundings and small villages that lie below the city. St-Paul-de-Vence is a city of artists. This is where you'll find Auberge Colombe d'Or, one of the most famous restaurants in the South of France. Its original owner Paul Roux was a passionate art lover. When he opened the place in 1920, poor and unknown artists like Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Paul Cézanne, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Colette and Jaques Prévert flocked here to eat, drink and socialise. Everyone was drawn to the place, but the poor artists couldn't always pay the bills. So they would leave a drawing or painting instead. Or Paul Roux would exchange a drawing or painting for board and lodging. But often he also bought from the artists. Today, everything he bought or traded for, or was simply given as a gift, hangs throughout the inn. The inn therefore houses one of the finest private collections from the 20th century. Auberge Colombe d'Or is an excellent and extremely exclusive place to eat. 
Inspiration for your holiday:Attractions:The Collegiate Church Chapelle St Mathieu Museum: Fondation Maeght: paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics. One of the world's finest museums of modern art: http://www.maeght.com/intro.htm - http://www.fondation-maeght.com/ - (Tel: +33 (0)4 93 32 81 63) Local history museum Musée de Saint Paul Art exhibitions 
Activities in St-Paul-de-VenceRestaurants: Auberge de Colombe d'Or Summer festivals and entertainment (Festivitas) Golf - There is a wealth of golf courses in the Alpes Maritimes department. The French Golf Union has a website where most courses are presented. Unfortunately, the website is in French. Go to Guide de golfs and search here under the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: http://www.ffgolf.org/ Ski resorts within a reasonable distance: http://www.skifrance.fr/default-a.htm |